Before his presidency, Trautman had a diverse career in baseball. He was a part-owner and business manager of the Toledo Mud Hens, a minor league team in the American Association. He also served as the general manager of the Detroit Tigers and the Columbus Red Birds, a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.
In 1946, Trautman was elected president of the NAPBL, a position he held for 17 years. During his presidency, he worked tirelessly to promote and develop minor league baseball. He was instrumental in the creation of the Major-Minor League Executive Council, which helped to foster better relations between the major and minor leagues. He also played a key role in the establishment of the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Trautman's tenure was also marked by his efforts to integrate baseball. He worked closely with Branch Rickey, the Brooklyn Dodgers executive who signed Jackie Robinson, the first African American player in the major leagues. Trautman supported Rickey's efforts and helped to facilitate Robinson's entry into the minor leagues, a crucial step in the process of breaking baseball's color barrier.
Under Trautman's leadership, the minor leagues expanded significantly. The number of minor league teams increased from 59 in 1946 to 289 in 1949, and attendance at minor league games reached record levels. He also implemented a number of reforms to improve the quality of play and the financial stability of minor league teams.
Trautman's contributions to baseball were widely recognized. He was awarded the "King of Baseball" title at the annual Baseball Winter Meetings in 1951, and he was posthumously inducted into the International League Hall of Fame in 2008.
In summary, George Trautman was a pivotal figure in the development of minor league baseball. His leadership, vision, and commitment to integration helped to shape the modern game and left a lasting legacy in the sport.
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