This Day in Baseball History

1980 - Fred Wilpon purchases stake in Mets

New York Mets owner Charles Shipman Payson sells the franchise for a record-breaking $21.1 million to publishing company Doubleday & Co. and Fred Wilpon.

Wilpon, whose initial stake in the Mets is worth just one percent, purchases equal ownership six years later for $81 million and eventually inherits full control from Nelson Doubleday Jr. in 2002 for $135 million. He's the Mets' Chief Executive Officer and served as team president from 1980 to 2002.

Wilpon's career in the front office has had its share of controversy, particular as it relates to his involvement with Bernie Madoff. The investment scandal would result in several lawsuits - including a $162-million settlement - and forced Wilpon to take out a $25-million loan from Major League Baseball to avoid default.

He was named the new chairman of MLB's Finance Committee in January 2015.

Birthdays

1964 - Rob Dibble
1984 - Scott Kazmir
1986 - Franklin Morales
1986 - Tyler Flowers
1986 - Andy Dirks
1989 - Jose Quintana