Ben Mondor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ben Mondor
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| Born |
Bernard Georges Mondor
March 26, 1925 Saint-Ignace-du-Lac, Maskinongé, Quebec, Canada
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| Died | October 3, 2010 (aged 85) |
| Resting place | Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery (Exeter, Rhode Island) |
| Occupation | Business executive in textiles |
| Known for | Owner of the Pawtucket Red Sox (1977–2010) |
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Bernard Georges "Ben" Mondor (born March 26, 1925 – died October 3, 2010) was a Canadian-born American businessman. He was best known for owning the Pawtucket Red Sox baseball team from 1977 until he passed away. He helped turn the team into a huge success.
Ben Mondor's Story
Early Life and Career
Ben Mondor was born in March 1925 in a small village called Saint-Ignace-du-Lac in Quebec, Canada. Sadly, his village later disappeared under water in 1931 because a dam was built.
Ben grew up in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in the United States. He went to Mount St. Charles Academy there. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy. After the war, he owned textile factories in different states. He retired from that business in 1973.
Saving the PawSox
In 1977, Ben Mondor bought the Pawtucket Red Sox. This team, often called the "PawSox," is a Triple-A team. This means they are the highest level of Minor League Baseball and a farm team for the Boston Red Sox. When Ben bought them, the team was in big trouble and almost out of money.
Ben Mondor worked hard to make the PawSox a great team. He made them one of the best teams in Minor League Baseball. He also improved McCoy Stadium, where the team plays. It became a very friendly place for fans to watch games.
Because of his efforts, more and more people came to watch the PawSox. In 1977, only about 70,000 fans came to games. By the 2000s, over 600,000 fans came every year! Ben won the "Executive of the Year" award for the International League twice, in 1978 and 1999.
Awards and Recognition
Ben Mondor received many honors for his work. In 1982, he got a special degree from Rhode Island College. In 1984, he was added to the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.
He was also honored by the Boston Red Sox. In 2004, he was put into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame. He even had a special day named after him at Fenway Park, the Red Sox's home stadium. In 2008, he was elected to the International League Hall of Fame.
Ben Mondor passed away in October 2010 at his home in Rhode Island. He is remembered as someone who truly loved baseball and helped make the PawSox a beloved team.
