Respected Dodgers executive Bavasi dies

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

NEW YORK (AFP) — Emil "Buzzie" Bavasi, a onetime executive with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers who helped integrate minor league baseball, died Thursday at the age of 93, Major League Baseball said.

Bavasi joined the Brooklyn Dodgers as a front office assistant in 1939 and was the team's general manager when they moved to Los Angeles in 1958.

"The Dodgers, and the baseball world, lost a true pioneer today," Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said. "Buzzie's contributions to the Dodgers are immeasurable."

"He loved the game and he loved talking about it," MLB commissioner Bud Selig said. "Buzzie was a wonderful friend. He always gave me good advice and had an excellent perspective on the issues of the day."

Bavasi helped the Dodgers sign Jackie...