Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler
N 38° 03.266 W 084° 39.331
16S E 705700 N 4214449
A. B. "Happy" Chandler represented Kentucky in the United States Senate, and was twice elected Governor. He also served as Commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1945-1950.
Waymark Code: WMGH8
Location: Kentucky, United States
Date Posted: 07/05/2006
Views: 43
Albert Benjamin “Happy” Chandler was a life long resident of Kentucky who serving his state as lieutenant governor, United States Senator, and was twice elected Governor serving from 1935 though 1939 and again in 1955 through 1959. Perhaps “Happy” Chandler is best known for becoming the second commissioner of Major League Baseball, succeeding the legendary Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis. He served a commissioner from 1945 – 1950 and despite the negative feelings of most club owners, he supported the entry of Jackie Robinson into the major leagues. Following his second term as Governor, her returned to his home near Versailles, Kentucky and continued to practice law for the next several years. “Happy” Chandler is a member of the Kentucky Sport Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. A familiar face a University of Kentucky sports events, “Happy” Chandler was often call upon to sing “My Old Kentucky Home” prior to the start of Kentucky Football and Basketball Games. A. B. “Happy” Chandler died on June 15,1991 in Versailles, Kentucky and is buried in the churchyard of the Pisgah Presbyterian Church.
Description:
Albert Benjamin “Happy” Chandler was born on July 14, 1898 in Coydon, Kentucky. He attended Harvard University and severed as a private in the United States army from 1918-1919. Chandler graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1924 with a Law Degree and was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 1925. He served as a member of the Kentucky Senate in 1930 and 1931 and was elected lieutenant governor, serving from 1931 through 1935. In 1935 he was elected Governor of Kentucky and served until his resigned October 9, 1939 to accept and appointment to the United States Senate on October 10, 1939 and elected to the Senate on November 5, 1940, filling the vacancy caused by the death of Marvel Mills Logan. Senator Chandler was reelected to the Senate in 1942 until his resigned that office on November 1, 1945 to become commissioner of Major League Baseball; a position he held from1945-1950. Following his tenure as Commissioner he returned to his law practice in Versailles. In 1955 he was once again elected Governor of Kentucky and served until 1959. His Political Career ended with an unsuccessful run for a third term as governor in 1963. Happy Chandler was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. A life long resident of Kentucky he continued to live in the Versailles area until his death on June 15, 1991 at the age of 92. A. B. “Happy” Chandler is buried in the churchyard of the Pisgah Presbyterian Church, near Versailles. Kentucky.
Date of birth: 07/14/1898
Date of death: 05/15/1991
Area of notoriety: Sports
Marker Type: Headstone
Setting: Outdoor
Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Dawn to Dusk
Fee required?: No
Web site: [Web Link]
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