Salty Saltwell

Eldred^[1] R. "Salty" Saltwell (April 14, 1924 – May 3, 2020)^[2][3] was the general manager of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball in 1976.

Saltwell was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa, where he attended East High School and Morningside College. His higher education was interrupted by a three-year stint in the U.S. Army, much of it spent in the European and Pacific Theaters. After returning stateside, he eventually received his degree from Morningside in 1949, where he also spent three years as the sports publicity director, after he'd helped start the school’s sports public relations department.^[4] From 1947-54, Saltwell also worked as an usher, trainer, play-by-play announcer, traveling secretary and business manager for the Sioux City Soos of the Class-A Western League.^[5]

Like a predecessor, John Holland, Saltwell had been a general manager in the minor leagues. He was the GM with minor league affiliates in Des Moines, Iowa, and Los Angeles.^[6] Saltwell came to Chicago in 1958 as a business manager by owner Philip K. Wrigley. He was made a vice president in 1972. The Chicago Tribune openly mocked the move and called Saltwell a hot dog vendor.^[6] Wrigley defended the decision by stating that Saltwell had the capacity to get rough, especially in contract negotiations.^[6] The team would go 75–87 in 1976 with Saltwell as GM. On November 24, 1976, he was reassigned from being the GM, as he was named secretary and director of park operations while field manager Jim Marshall was fired.^[7]