ABOUT
An owner of the Oakland A's baseball club, he was a strident advocate for changes in a game that remained proudly tied to tradition.Some of his suggestions, like an orange baseball, never gained traction with the A's, but on the other hand his designated hitter rule and night games for the World Series became a standard.He hired a teenager named Stanley Burrell, later to become MC Hammer, to be his eyes and ears.
BEFORE FAMEHe made his early fortune by selling a novel group insurance plan for doctors.
PERSONAL LIFEHe was born in Ensley, Alabama, Birmingham, but was raised in Gary, Indiana, where he followed in his father's footsteps working in a steel mill.
The meaning of the name Finley: Fair Warrior FUN FACTSBusiness Executive Charlie Finley were born on Friday, birthstone is Amethyst, the seaon was Winter in the Chinese year of Horse, it is 48 days until Charlie Finley next birthday.
- 80
Jan. 05 1923