Breaking barriers in the world of baseball: Lorinda de Roulet, a trailblazing pioneer who shattered glass ceilings as the Mets' president, has passed away at the age of 95. Her story is one of quiet determination and unexpected leadership in a sport dominated by men, and it's a tale that will make you reflect on how far we've come—and how far we still have to go. But here's where it gets controversial: Was her brief stint at the helm a triumph or a testament to the challenges women faced in sports management? Stick around to uncover the full picture.
Lorinda de Roulet, the pioneering figure who became the first woman to manage the everyday operations of a major league baseball team as chairperson of the Mets' board in the 1970s, sadly passed away on October 26, as confirmed by club historian Jay Horwitz. She was 95 years old at the time of her death.
In November 1978, de Roulet took over from M. Donald Grant, stepping into the role of running the Mets' daily activities. She held this position for just one season before the team was sold to new owners. For beginners in baseball history, this means she was responsible for the day-to-day decisions that keep a team running smoothly—think hiring staff, managing budgets, and overseeing strategies—rather than just big-picture moves like trades or signings.
Her connection to the Mets started back in 1975, when she assumed the presidency following the passing of her mother, Joan Whitney Payson, who was the team's original owner. Payson made history as the first woman to acquire majority ownership of a North American sports franchise on her own merits, not through inheritance. She even served as the team's president right from the Mets' founding in 1962, setting a powerful example of female leadership in a field where it was rare.
'It never crossed my mind that I'd end up leading the team,' de Roulet shared with The New York Times in 1978. 'I suppose I figured my mother would keep things going, and my husband had his interests too.' This quote reveals the personal surprises in her journey, highlighting how family dynamics can unexpectedly shape careers.
Payson played a key role in a famous trade that brought Willie Mays back to New York in 1972, allowing him to wrap up his legendary Hall of Fame career. Mays had kicked off his professional journey with the New York Giants before the team relocated to San Francisco. As part of the deal, Payson promised Mays that the Mets would retire his number 24—a pledge that took five decades to fulfill. In 2022, under new owner Steve Cohen's guidance, the team honored Mays by retiring his number during Old Timers' Day, a heartfelt nod to baseball's rich history.
After Mets shareholders pushed Grant to step down following his 17 years as chairman—most infamously remembered for the previous year's controversial trade of star pitcher Tom Seaver—de Roulet stepped in. She led a team lacking star power, which struggled mightily under manager Joe Torre. The Mets dropped 99 games in 1979 and ended up sixth in the NL East, marking their third consecutive losing season. And this is the part most people miss: Despite the team's underperformance, de Roulet's efforts were about stabilizing a franchise in turmoil. For context, trading a player like Seaver can stir up huge debates among fans—some see it as a savvy business move, while others view it as a betrayal of team loyalty. Was Grant's decision justified, or did it set the team back? It's a hot topic that still fuels arguments today.
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'Funds were tight, and she gave it her all,' de Roulet's daughter, Whitney Bullock, remarked on Friday. The team's subsequent sale to Doubleday & Company ahead of the 1980 season brought her tenure to a close. Fred Wilpon, who was a minority owner at the time, took over the reins of the Mets' daily operations.
Yet, de Roulet stayed fiercely loyal to the team, holding season tickets and cheering from the stands even into the Mets' early days at Citi Field. Bullock recalled that her mother mentioned this year that if the Mets made it to the World Series, she'd make an effort to catch a game. 'She had such a deep passion for the team,' Bullock added.
Lorinda de Roulet's legacy prompts us to question: In an era when women are still underrepresented in sports leadership, could more trailblazers like her accelerate change? And what do you think about the balance between inherited roles and earned opportunities in building a franchise? Share your opinions in the comments—do you agree that her story inspires more diversity, or is there a counterpoint you're pondering? Let's discuss!
