14 Facts About Gerald Nugent

Gerald Nugent was the owner of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team of the National League from 1932 through 1942.

Gerald Nugent rose fast in the organization, becoming business manager in 1926 and a board member in 1928.

Gerald Nugent was succeeded as team president by Charlie Ruch, who left most day-to-day operations in Nugent's hands.

Ruch retired on the advice of his doctor in 1932, and Gerald Nugent was elected team president with the support of Baker's widow.

Mae Gerald Nugent became a team vice president, the first female senior executive in the National League.

Gerald Nugent was forced to trade what little talent the team had to make ends meet, and had to use some creative financial methods to be able even to field a team at all.

Unlike the notoriously miserly Baker, Gerald Nugent cared more about winning than saving money.

Gerald Nugent's tenure saw four of the seven worst seasons in franchise history.

One notable step Gerald Nugent took, in mid-season 1938, was to abandon Baker Bowl, the club's home since 1885.

Gerald Nugent had tried several times over the years to get out of his lease with the estate of Charles Webb Murphy, and only succeeded when he threatened to go to court.

Gerald Nugent agreed to pay the Murphy estate to "suspend" the lease for five years, clearing the way for the Phillies to move five blocks west as tenants of the American League Athletics at Shibe Park.

Gerald Nugent finally reached the end of his rope in 1942.

Gerald Nugent was feeling pressure from his fellow National League owners; even after the move to Shibe Park, the Phils' attendance figures were too meager for visiting teams to meet their expenses.

However, new evidence has surfaced that suggested Gerald Nugent did indeed plan to sell the Phillies to Veeck.