Presented is a collection of eight (8) documents concerning the American and National Leagues' purchase of Pacific Coast League territories in Seattle and San Diego for Major League expansion teams. 1) A copy of an Oct. 22, 1968, letter (8.5x11") from William Eckert, the Commissioner of Baseball to various parties, including Max Soriano, President of the Seattle Angels and Joe Cronin, President of the American League confirming a wire that was sent earlier in the day concerning the expansion team, the Seattle Pilots', desire to purchase the Seattle, Washington, baseball territory for the new team, the Seattle Pilots. 20 copies of a letter (8.5x11") from William Eckert, the Commissioner of Baseball, to James Mulvaney, President of the San Diego Baseball Company, Warren Giles, President of the National League, William "Bill" McKechnie, the President of the Pacific Coast League and others confirming a wire sent to the Pacific Coast League's San Diego club concerning the National League's desire to buy the San Diego baseball territory for a new expansion club. 3) An Oct. 22, 1968, telegram to Dewey Soriano, President of the Seattle Pilots from Bill McKechnie, President of the Pacific Coast League acknowledging receipt of an earlier telegram (4.4x6.6") from Soriano concerning the purchasing of the Seattle territory for a new American League team. 4) A copy of an Oct. 21, 1968, telegram (4.4x6.6") from Dewey Soriano to Bill McKechnie concerning the Seattle Pilots intent to purchase the Seattle territory from the Pacific Coast League for use by the new Seattle Pilots.

5) A carbon copy (8.5x11") of an Oct. 22, 1968, letter from Bill McKechnie to W.E. James, in Houston, Texas, concerns the particulars for indemnification of the Seattle and San Diego Pacific Coast League Clubs. 6) A Jan. 27, 1969, copy of a letter (8.5x11") from Dewey Soriano, President of the Seattle Pilots to the Portland Beavers club. Soriano apologizes for the new advertising of the Seattle Pilots infringing on the territory of the Pacific Coast League's Portland Beavers. 7) An April 29, 1969, letter (8.5x11") to Bill McKechnie from Buzzie Bavasi, the President of the expansion San Diego Padres, concerning a payment sent to the Pacific Coast League. 8) An April 7, 1969, agreement, possibly a signed copy, between Northwest Sports, Inc. of the American League and the Pacific Coast League concerning payments for indemnification to the Pacific Coast League.

The PCL Seattle territory was actually purchased by the American League so that they could have an American League club there - the Seattle Pilots. Some of the documents concern a similar action of the purchase of the PCL's San Diego territory for a new National League expansion team, also called the San Diego Padres. These documents came from the collection of Bill McKechnie Jr. who was president of the Pacific Coast League at the time. Most of the documents are in EXCELLENT condition. A few have some folds, minor tears, some light or moderate darkening, or small stains.

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