Former Atlanta Braves owner Bill Bartholomay, who is also known as “Mr. B” across the organization, has passed away at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York, New York. He was 91.
Bartholomay is most famous for moving the Braves franchise from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966, making them the first Major League Baseball team in the South. led the group that owned the Milwaukee Braves before deciding to move the team to Atlanta. Bartholomay received multiple death threats because of the move, but he completed the relocation. The decision to relocate to Atlanta opened up the south region of the country to professional sports.
Braves’ Hall of Famer Hank Aaron called Bartholomay the “greatest owner I ever had the pleasure to play for” in a Twitter post following the news of Bartholomay’s death.
Bill Bartholomay was the greatest owner I ever had the pleasure to play for. He understood the game of baseball more than so many others. I’ve known him for a longtime and he’s helped me in more ways than you can imagine. I will surely miss my friend.
— Hank Aaron (@HenryLouisAaron) March 26, 2020
Bartholomay served on multiple MLB committees across several decades of service. Mr. B was inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame in 2002. He was a part of the Braves organization for 57 years and never missed an Opening Day.