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Former MLB commissioner Kuhn dies

Last Updated: Thursday, March 15, 2007 | 5:58 PM ET

One-time baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn, who survived repeated attacks by a combative players' union in the 1970s and 1980s, died Thursday.

He passed away in hospital at the age of 80 following a short illness, Kuhn's spokesman Bob Wirz said.

Kuhn lorded over baseball during 15 tumultuous years that saw players gain free agency and start the spiral of multimillion-dollar salaries.

When Kuhn took over as commissioner from William Eckert on Feb. 4, 1969, baseball just had completed its final season as a tradition-bound, 20-team sport with no playoffs, a reserve clause and an average salary of about $19,000 US.

During his tenure, the sport battled the rise of the NFL and a players' union that besieged Kuhn with lawsuits, grievances and work stoppages.

By the time he was succeeded by Peter Ueberroth on Oct. 1, 1984, the major leagues had 26 teams in four divisions, a designated hitter in the American League, the first night World Series games, colour-splashed uniforms, free agency and an average salary of nearly $330,000.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/st...missioner.html

R.I.P. Commissioner Kuhn.