BILL NEUKOM, former managing general partner of the San Francisco Giants and a key figure in bringing the baseball franchise its first World Series title in San Francisco, has died. He was 83.
“On behalf of Greg Johnson, our ownership group and the Giants family, we extend our deepest condolences to Bill’s wife, Sally, and the Neukom family,” Giants President and CEO Larry Baer said in a statement released by the team Thursday. “Bill will always hold a special place in our hearts and in the history of this franchise.”
Neukom joined the Giants ownership group in 1995 and became a general partner in 2003. He took over as managing general partner in 2008 following the retirement of Peter Magowan.
Under his leadership, the Giants won the 2010 World Series, the team’s first championship since moving to San Francisco.
“He was instrumental in helping this organization and its players bring the first World Series Championship to San Francisco in 2010,” Baer said. “Bill will always be remembered for not only his leadership of this storied organization but also his colorful bowties and the fact he’d bring a glove to the ballpark to try and catch foul balls. He was a true gentleman, a dedicated fan and a friend to so many.”
In 2010, Baseball America named the Giants “Organization of the Year,” recognizing the team’s achievements under Neukom’s leadership. He stepped down after the 2011 season.
Before his time with the Giants, Neukom served as a partner at the Seattle office of K&L Gates and was president of the American Bar Association from 2007 to 2008. He was also Microsoft’s top lawyer for nearly 25 years, including 17 years as general counsel, overseeing legal, government, and philanthropic activities.
In 2006, Neukom founded the World Justice Project, a global effort aimed at promoting the rule of law and creating more equitable communities through cross-disciplinary collaboration.
His passion for baseball began in childhood. Growing up next to Charlie Graham Jr., general manager of the San Francisco Seals, Neukom was drawn into the game by Graham’s daughter, Tina, who would gather neighborhood boys to play.
“It’s where my passion for this extraordinary game began and I’ve been hooked ever since,” Neukom wrote in a farewell letter in 2011.
Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced.