Kamm Dies; Contract Set Baseball Mark

Willie Kamm, who made baseball history when his minor league contract was purchased in 1922 by the Chicago White Sox for a record $100,000, has died of Parkinson’s disease at the age of 88.

Kamm, a third baseman who was playing for the San Francisco Seals when he made the dramatic move, died Wednesday at Belmont Convalescent Hospital.

At the time of the purchase by Chicago owner Charles A. Comiskey, it was the highest price ever paid for a minor-league player.

Kamm was traded to the Cleveland Indians in 1931, his ninth big-league season. He retired in 1935, then became manager of the Mission Reds of the Pacific Coast League.

In 1954 Kamm, a career .281 batter, was voted to the all-time White Sox team. In 1964 Kamm’s glove was placed on display at the Baseball Hall of Fame.

A memorial service is scheduled Monday at Burlingame United Methodist Church. No survivors are known.