King of Baseball

King of Baseball
SportBaseball
LeagueMinor League Baseball
Awarded forLongtime dedication and service to professional baseball
CountryUnited States
Canada
Mexico
Presented byMinor League Baseball
History
First awardPants Rowland (1951)
Final awardBob Lozinak (2019)

King of Baseball was a ceremonial title awarded annually from 1951 to 2019 by Minor League Baseball to recognize an individual for their longtime dedication and service to professional baseball.[1] It was awarded during baseball's Winter Meetings and usually presented along with a crown and robe.[2]

The title originated in a beauty pageant held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Minor League Baseball in 1951. The first king was selected to accompany the winner, "Miss Golden Anniversary". The pageant was discarded after 1954, but crowning a king continued.[3] The title was not issued in 2020 after the cancellation of the minor league season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] In 2021, Major League Baseball assumed control of the minor leagues.[5] Subsequently, the committee responsible for the award chose to discontinue the honor.[6]

  1. ^ "Minor League Baseball Award Winners". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  2. ^ Hill, Benjamin (December 9, 2014). "For Valentine, It's Good to Be the 'King'". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  3. ^ Bates, Mike (December 14, 2018). "Crowning the King of Baseball". The Hardball Times. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  4. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  5. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  6. ^ "King of Baseball Award". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 23, 2022.