Hall of Fame
Calvin Griffith, a Florida Tech Advisory Council Member, was inducted into the Florida Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. His journey began as a batboy for the Washington Senators, and through sheer perseverance and dedication, he climbed the ranks in the 1920s-30s. At the age of 43, he took over as the owner, succeeding his father. His determination was further evident when he began discussing the possibility of moving his club to Minneapolis in 1959.
At the end of the 1960 season, the American League voted to add two new teams, including an expansion team in Washington, opening the door for Griffith to move the franchise to Minnesota. In a few years, the new Minnesota Twins won 102 games and the American League pennant in 1965 under Griffith. The 102 wins are still the most the franchise has ever won in either Washington or Minnesota. He earned Major League Baseball Executive of the Year for his efforts in building a championship-level team. He sold the team in 1984 and was inducted into the Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.
Griffith was also an owner who was elected vice president of the American League in 1973 and served in that position until the 1980s. He was also inducted into the George Washington University Sports Hall of Fame in 1976.
