Gene Budig, born May 25th, 1939 in McCook, Nebraska, was the president of Major League Baseball's American League from 1994 until 1999, when the presidencies of the American and the National League were abolished.
Studying journalism at the University of Nebraska, Budig graduated in 1962, and a year later earned his masters, before finally receiving a doctorate in 1967.
He went on to serve as President of Illinois State University from 1973-1977 and of West Virginia University from 1977-1980. After this he became the Chancellor of the University of Kansas, from 1980 up until his presidency with the American League in 1994.
Budig became president just as professional Baseball faced it's 'Darkest Hour'. Elected as President on 1st August 1994, eleven days later on the 12th August, the games players went on a 232 day strike.
Unhappy with a proposed salary cap, the strike led to the cancellation of between 931 and 948 games, including the post-season and entire World Series.
When the games finally resumed in 1995, Baseball had to work hard at fixing its image. Unfortunately Budig's hands were tied on most matters as the League's Presidency began to see its powers diminished.
By 1999 it was determined that offices of the American League, and National League Presidents were no longer needed, and Budig resigned taking a job as special advisor to Commissioner Bud Selig.
In January 2007, Budig returned to baseball becoming part-owner of the Charleston River Dogs, a minor-league affiliate of the New York Yankees who play in the South Atlantic League.
Studying journalism at the University of Nebraska, Budig graduated in 1962, and a year later earned his masters, before finally receiving a doctorate in 1967.
He went on to serve as President of Illinois State University from 1973-1977 and of West Virginia University from 1977-1980. After this he became the Chancellor of the University of Kansas, from 1980 up until his presidency with the American League in 1994.
Budig became president just as professional Baseball faced it's 'Darkest Hour'. Elected as President on 1st August 1994, eleven days later on the 12th August, the games players went on a 232 day strike.
Unhappy with a proposed salary cap, the strike led to the cancellation of between 931 and 948 games, including the post-season and entire World Series.
When the games finally resumed in 1995, Baseball had to work hard at fixing its image. Unfortunately Budig's hands were tied on most matters as the League's Presidency began to see its powers diminished.
By 1999 it was determined that offices of the American League, and National League Presidents were no longer needed, and Budig resigned taking a job as special advisor to Commissioner Bud Selig.
In January 2007, Budig returned to baseball becoming part-owner of the Charleston River Dogs, a minor-league affiliate of the New York Yankees who play in the South Atlantic League.