William Louis Veeck Jr. ( VEK; February 9, 1914 – January 2, 1986), also known as "Sport Shirt Bill" and "Wild Bill" was an American Major League Baseball franchise owner and promoter. Veeck was at various times the owner of the Cleveland Indians, the St. Louis Browns, and the Chicago White Sox.
Veeck was the last owner to purchase a baseball franchise without an independent fortune and was responsible for many innovations and contributions to baseball. As owner and team president of the Indians in 1947, Veeck signed Larry Doby, thus beginning the integration of the American League, and the following year won a World Series title.
Unable to compete in the new era of salary escalation ignited by arbitration and free agency, Veeck sold his ownership interest in the White Sox after the 1980 season. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame posthumously in 1991.