Alan Jankowski, age 14, of Marion, Ohio, for his question:

WHO WAS THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF BASEBALL?

First commissioner of professional baseball in the United States was an American judge named Kenesaw Mountain Landis. For many years Landis had served as judge of the U.S. District Court of Northern Illinois and he had earned a reputation for fairness.

In 1907, Judge Landis won national attention by fining the Standard Oil Company of Indiana $29,240,000 for accepting freight rebates.

In 1919, the Chicago White Sox allowed the Cincinnati Reds to "win" the World Series. To protect baseball from further dishonesty and scandal, the club owners oppointed Judge Landis commissioner of baseball in 1920.

Landis ruled baseball with an iron hand and the game acquired an unquestionable reputation for honesty.

Landis was elected to the baseball Hall of Fame in 1944. He was born in 1866 in Milville, Ohio, and died in 1944.