Bill Giles is a former Major League Baseball executive who made significant contributions to the sport during his career. He was born in Philadelphia in 1934 and grew up around baseball, as his father was the owner of the Philadelphia Phillies. Giles attended college at Princeton University and later earned a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Giles began his career in baseball as the director of the National League in 1969. He later served as the president of the Houston Astros from 1975 to 1980, during which time he oversaw the team's move from the Astrodome to the new Astrodome. In 1981, Giles returned to Philadelphia to become the executive vice president of the Phillies.

During his time with the Phillies, Giles was instrumental in the team's success in the 1980s and 1990s. He helped to build a strong team through smart drafting and trades, and the Phillies won the National League pennant in 1983 and 1993. Giles was also involved in the construction of Veterans Stadium, which opened in 1971 and served as the Phillies' home until 2003.

In addition to his work with the Phillies, Giles was also involved in the broader baseball community. He served as the chairman of the Major League Baseball Properties Committee and was a member of the Executive Council of Major League Baseball. Giles was also a key figure in the negotiations that led to the creation of the wild card playoff format in 1994.

Giles retired from his position with the Phillies in 1997, but he remained active in baseball as a consultant and advisor. He was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Baseball Reliquary's Shrine of the Eternals in 2010.

Overall, Bill Giles had a long and successful career in baseball, during which he made significant contributions to the sport. He was a key figure in the success of the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1980s and 1990s, and he played an important role in shaping the broader baseball landscape.

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