Flanner, Joseph

Born in New Bern, N.C. In 1903 he authored the Basic Agreement, the regulations that govern major and minor league baseball. Also was instrumental in the early success of The Sporting News. Joined TSN in 1895 as a writer, was named co-editor in 1897 and editor in 1899. He took a job in baseball’s executive offices for 10 years before his retirement in 1920. At age 21, he moved to Dakota Territory, where he spent the next 16 years in Crook City, and he became the first state’s attorney in Lawrence County. In 1892 he left Crook City for a job as a writer and editor at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Soon after he joined TSN.