Jackets Mourn Passing of South Atlantic League Founder John Henry Moss
Published on July 1, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release
Augusta, GA - The founder of the South Atlantic League and one of the most influential men in all of professional baseball, John Henry Moss, passed away this morning in his hometown of Kings Mountain, North Carolina at the age of 90.
Moss had been hospitalized in Kings Mountain since suffering a stroke on June 7th.
After returning from service in World War II, Moss organized the Western Carolinas League in 1949 and returned a decade later to reorganize the league and built it into what would eventually become the present-day South Atlantic League in 1980.
Under Moss's leadership, the South Atlantic League grew into one of the largest and most successful minor leagues in affiliated baseball, with 16 clubs in eight states. Over the years, Moss helped bring professional baseball to 43 different cities by stressing the importance of providing quality, wholesome, family-friendly entertainment at an affordable price.
In addition to his league responsibilities, Moss served as the mayor of Kings Mountain from 1965-1988. During that time he was recognized by national media outlets by securing more than $40 million in federal grants.
Accolades and honors quickly piled up for Moss, who was selected into five Halls of Fame - the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, the North Carolina American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame, the Kings Mountain Sports Hall of Fame, the Cleveland County Sports Hall of Fame and the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame. At the 1990 Baseball Winter Meetings, Moss was named "King of Baseball."
To honor John's lifetime commitment and dedication of 50 years to the South Atlantic League, the South Atlantic League Board of Directors voted in 2007 to retire the jersey number 50 throughout the South Atlantic League.
For most of his career, Moss was assisted by his wife, Elaine Beilke Moss, who served as Director of Administration and Finance for the Western Carolinas/South Atlantic League for 45 years, before passing away in 2004. All South Atlantic League teams will commemorate the passing of Moss by wearing a special "JHM" memorial patch on their uniforms for the remainder of the 2009 season. The GreenJackets will honor Moss with a moment of silence prior to the start of tonight's 7:05 p.m. game against the Lexington Legends. Tickets are available by calling (706) 922-WINS or online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.
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