John Jachym

John James Jachym (May 9, 1918 – May 10, 2005) was an American businessman, philanthropist, and sportsman. He was briefly (from December 23, 1949, through June 22, 1950) a club owner in Major League Baseball as the second largest shareholder in the Washington Senators of the American League. Later in his career, he was active in Republican Party politics and an important figure in (and a rare honorary member of) the Professional Golfers' Association.

Jachym (pronounced YOCK-im) was born in Youngstown, Ohio. He graduated from high school in South Dayton, New York, and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1940 from the University of Missouri. As a young newspaper reporter working in Jefferson City, Missouri, Jachym became acquainted with legendary St. Louis Cardinals executive Branch Rickey, who became a key influence in his life. At the age of 22, Jachym became a part-time scout for Rickey's Cardinals.

However, Jachym's baseball and journalism careers were interrupted by World War II. In 1941, Jachym enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and rose to the field rank of captain. He saw combat at New Guinea, New Britain and Guadalcanal, earning a Silver Star. At war's end he relocated to Jamestown, New York, became a successful businessman, and — still in his 20s — purchased the local minor league baseball franchise, the Jamestown Falcons of the Class D PONY League. When he in turn sold the Falcons to the Major League Detroit Tigers, he joined the Tiger front office as assistant director of minor league operations.

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