<P> Thomas Austin Yawkey, born Thomas Yawkey Austin, (February 21, 1903--July 9, 1976) was an American industrialist and Major League Baseball executive . Born in Detroit, Yawkey became president of the Boston Red Sox in 1933 and was the sole owner of the team for 44 seasons, longer than anyone else in baseball history . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980 . Yawkey's alleged racism and resistance to baseball's integration have led the modern day Red Sox to distance themselves from his legacy . </P> <P> Yawkey was born in Detroit on February 21, 1903 . He was the grandson of lumber and iron magnate William Clyman Yawkey, who agreed in principle to buy the Detroit Tigers in 1903 but died before the deal closed . The deal eventually was completed by Tom's uncle, Bill Yawkey . After his father died, Tom's uncle adopted him and he took the Yawkey name . </P> <P> Bill Yawkey died in 1919 and left his $40 million estate to his adopted son, but a clause in the will forbade him from taking possession of it until he turned 30 years old . Tom Yawkey was a graduate of the Sheffield Scientific School at Yale University in 1925 and was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity . </P> <P> On February 25, 1933, four days after his 30th birthday, Yawkey bought the Red Sox for $1.25 million, and persuaded friend and former Philadelphia Athletics second baseman Eddie Collins to be the team's vice president and general manager . </P>

Tom yawkey patriarch of the boston red sox