Gabe Paul’s baseball career began at 16 when he was publicity and ticket manager for Rochester (International League) and it ended when he was president of the Cleveland Indians in 1984. Along the way he was general manager of the Reds and the Houston Colt .45s, president and general manager of the Indians for 10 years, and president of the Yankees before returning to head the Indians in 1978-84. He was responsible for changing the minor league draft system from drawing numbers out of a hat to drafting in reverse order of the finish in the standings. He led the fight to split each major league into two divisions, and pushed through the free agent drafting of players. He supported the designated hitter rule, and put through the rule change that requires fielders to bring their gloves in off the field after each half-inning.
