Calvin Griffith

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Lore & Background

Griffith transformed the Senators' identity by immediately shortening the left-field dimensions at cavernous Griffith Stadium in 1956. He reduced the distance along the foul line to 388 feet and cut the left-center power alley to 360 feet, adding a 6-foot inner fence to favor right-handed hitters like Roy Sievers and Harmon Killebrew. This shift reversed his uncle's pitching-first philosophy; while the 1955 team hit only 20 home runs at home, the 1956 club slugged 63. He also rebuilt the scouting department, expanding it significantly from the mid-1940s to 23 scouts by 1960, cultivating a farm system that produced stars like Jim Kaat and Zoilo Versalles. Despite these operational successes, the team struggled on the field, averaging 95 losses annually between 1956 and 1959. Attendance remained below 500,000 until 1959, when it rose to 615,000.

In Their Own Story

By autumn 1960, Griffith had orchestrated the transfer of the Senators after 60 years in Washington, D.C., moving them to Minneapolis–Saint Paul. This decision followed a decade of doubts about the franchise's survival in a deteriorating neighborhood and failed negotiations for a new stadium. Earlier attempts to move west were thwarted when Brooklyn Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley outmaneuvered him for Los Angeles. Even after securing a new home, Griffith faced resistance from Washington officials regarding rental terms for the planned District of Columbia Stadium. The relocation created the Twins, though the team's first season in Minnesota began in 1961. On June 19, 2020, the Minnesota Twins removed his statue from Target Field, citing racist comments made by Griffith in Waseca in 1978 and admitting a racial motivation to moving the Senators.

Reader's Guide

The franchise's modern era began when Calvin took control in 1955 following his uncle Clark's death at age 85. Calvin inherited half of the 52 percent stake, with his sister Thelma voting her shares alongside him for 29 years, granting him effective control. His family dynasty included three brothers—Sherry, Jimmy, and Billy—as executives, plus brother-in-law Joe Haynes. Hall of Famer Joe Cronin, married to Calvin's sister Mildred, served as playing manager before leading the Red Sox and American League. The next generation, including Calvin's son Clark Griffith II, also held executive posts. On the field, the team featured a core of home-grown talent like Harmon Killebrew, Jim Lemon, Bob Allison, and Camilo Pascual. Acquisitions included Earl Battey and Don Mincher from the White Sox in April 1960.

Did You Know?

• Calvin Griffith was the last Major League Baseball owner who had no income apart from his franchise.
• The left-field power alley at Griffith Stadium was reduced to exactly 360 feet in 1956 to favor right-handed hitters.
• Griffith grew the team's scouting staff from the mid-1940s to 23 scouts by 1960.
• On June 19, 2020, the Twins removed his statue citing racist comments made in Waseca in 1978.

Early Life and Family Ties

Born Calvin Griffith Robertson in Montreal, Quebec, he was the son of James A. Robertson and Jane Barr Davies. His father, a Shetland Islands native and minor leaguer, died in 1922 from alcoholism, leaving seven children in poverty. In 1923, Calvin (age 11) and his sister Thelma moved to Washington, D.C., to live with their childless aunt Addie Robertson Griffith and her husband, Hall of Fame pitcher Clark Griffith. Though never formally adopted, the children assumed the Griffith surname. Calvin worked as a batboy for the Senators during their 1924 World Series win and wrote articles for United Press during the 1925 series. He later attended Staunton Military Academy and George Washington University before playing and managing in the minors, eventually joining the front office in 1941.

Ownership Structure and Family Dynasty

Calvin Griffith operated as a unique family-run business from 1955 to 1984. He held effective control because his sister Thelma Griffith Haynes voted her shares with him. The organization employed multiple Robertson siblings: Sherry, Jimmy, and Billy became executives, while brother-in-law Joe Haynes joined the front office. Hall of Famer Joe Cronin, married to Mildred Robertson, served as playing manager before becoming general manager of the Red Sox and president of the American League. Calvin's son Clark Griffith II and nephews Bruce Haynes and Tom Cronin later held executive posts in the Twins' front office. Notably, Calvin was the last MLB owner with no income apart from his franchise.

Strategic Shifts in Washington

Griffith altered the Senators' playing style by modifying Griffith Stadium in 1956 to favor power hitting. He shortened left field to 388 feet and the left-center alley to 360 feet, installing a low inner fence. This change boosted home runs from 20 at home in 1955 to 63 in 1956, helping Roy Sievers (42 HRs in 1957) and Harmon Killebrew (42 HRs in 1959) set records. The move initially hurt pitching, with the staff ERA jumping from 4.01 at home in 1955 to 5.55 in 1956, but stabilized to a 3.77 team ERA by 1960 under Camilo Pascual. Griffith also expanded scouting from three full-time scouts in 1946 to 23 by 1960 and added Triple-A affiliates, developing talent like Jim Kaat, Zoilo Versalles, and Pedro Ramos.

Relocation Controversy and Legacy

In autumn 1960, Griffith moved the Senators from Washington, D.C., to Minneapolis–Saint Paul after 60 years in the capital. This followed failed talks for a new stadium and interest from cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Louisville. The team became the Twins in 1961. While famous for his devotion to the game and sayings during his tenure, Griffith's legacy was tarnished decades later. On June 19, 2020, the Minnesota Twins removed his statue from Target Field due to racist comments he made in Waseca in 1978. The organization admitted that racial motivation influenced his decision to move the team from Washington.