George B. Dovey (April 18, 1862 – June 19, 1909) was the principal owner of the Boston Doves of the National League from 1907 through 1909.

George Dovey
George Dovey pictured on a 1907 postcard
Born(1862-04-18)April 18, 1862[1]
DiedJune 19, 1909(1909-06-19) (aged 47)
Body discoveredAboard a Pennsylvania Railroad train, between Cedarville and Xenia in Ohio
Resting placeMount Moriah Cemetery, Philadelphia
OccupationTeam owner of the Boston Doves (1907–1909)
EmployerSt. Louis Car Company (prior to 1907)
RelativesJohn Dovey (brother)

History

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Dovey was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania; he attended college in Kentucky, where he played baseball.[2] For several years he worked as a salesman for the St. Louis Car Company.[2]

In 1907, Dovey bought the Boston Beaneaters from Arthur Soden,[2] becoming the team's principal owner; he then renamed the team the Boston Doves.[3]

At the age of 46, Dovey died of a pulmonary hemorrhage, early in the morning of June 19, 1909 while riding a Pennsylvania Railroad train in Greene County, Ohio, between Cedarville and Xenia.[2] He was buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery, Philadelphia.[2]

Following his death, his brother John became principal owner of the franchise.

References

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  1. ^ "FamilySearch: Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953". FamilySearch. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Baseball President Dead: George Dovey of Boston Passes Away on a Railroad Train" (PDF). The New York Times. June 20, 1909. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  3. ^ "Timeline 1876–1952". History >> Story of the Braves >> Franchise Timeline. Major League Baseball. Retrieved 2011-09-16. 1903–1912: A long pennant drought for the Beaneaters, the team finishes no better than sixth for ten seasons. The 1906 team lost a franchise-record 19 in a row. In 1907, the team changed names; the Beaneaters become known as the Doves, after the new owners, the Dovey brothers. In 1912, the team acquires the nickname Braves for the first time, at the suggestion of Johnny Montgomery Ward.