Ben Shibe

Benjamin Franklin Shibe (January 23, 1838 – January 14, 1922) was an American sporting goods and baseball executive who was owner and president of the Philadelphia Athletics of the American League from 1901 until his death.

He is credited with the invention of the automated stitching machinery to make standardized baseballs.

Shibe died in 1922, and is buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.

At that time, he was named club president, a title he would retain until his death.

In 1913, Shibe made Mack a full partner, ceding him complete authority over the baseball side of the operation.