Bill Giles, a longtime Philadelphia Phillies executive and former owner who helped shape the franchise’s business operations, fan experience and championship teams, died Friday at his home in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. He was 92.
Born in Rochester, New York, in 1934, Giles followed in the footsteps of his father, Warren C. Giles, the president and general manager of the Cincinnati Reds (1937-51) and later president of the National League (1951-69). He worked various jobs in the Reds’ public relations department as a teenager.
Giles went on to advance his career in Houston, serving as traveling secretary, publicity director and promotions director for the expansion Colt 45s (later the Astros) before joining the Phillies following the 1969 season.
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Giles was named vice president of business operations, arriving as the Phillies prepared to move from Connie Mack Stadium to Veterans Stadium. He changed the team’s uniforms in 1970, became executive vice president in 1972 and was part of an ownership group that purchased the team from the Carpenter family in 1981.
Under Giles, the franchise won its first World Series in 1980, the highlight of an eight-year stretch in which the Phillies won the National League East six times.
When the Carpenters put the Phillies up for sale in the spring of 1981, Giles organized a limited partnership to purchase the club on Oct. 29, 1981. He served as team president until 1997 and then became chairman. He was named chairman emeritus in 2015.
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Wore many hats
In addition to his role in the team’s on-field success, Giles became known for emphasizing entertainment and promotion as part of the baseball experience. He was involved in bringing broadcaster Harry Kalas to Philadelphia and helped introduce the Phillie Phanatic mascot, which debuted in 1978.
Giles also served in Major League Baseball leadership, including as honorary National League president. He participated in committees that considered interleague play, expansion and the wild-card postseason format. In 2010, he received the Bud Selig Executive Leadership Award for lifetime achievement.
Giles was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, and is survived by his three sons, Michael, Joseph and Christopher, as well as eight grandchildren.
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