Joan Payson

From The Met Wiki

Joan Whitney Payson was the owner of the Mets from 1962 to 1975. She was a co-founder of the team, for which she served in the roles of Vice President and President. Mrs. Payson was the first woman ever to own a Major League Baseball team without the benefit of inheritance.

Mrs. Payson and her husband, Charles, had been minority stockholders of the New York Giants. Upon the team’s relocation to San Francisco, the couple sold their shares and started working on getting a new National League team in New York City. The Paysons were eventually awarded a New York-based team in the fledging Continental League, which became the National League’s New York Mets.

During Mrs. Payson’s fourteen years as the Mets’ owner, the team emerged from a basement dweller into championship contender. After seven seasons of finishing ninth and tenth in the league standings, the Mets became World Champions in 1969. Mrs. Payson also saw the team come from last place to win the N. L. Pennant in 1973. The Mets also moved into Shea Stadium under her watch. More then one-million fans came out to the Queens ballpark each year during her time with the team.

On October 4, 1975, Mrs. Payson passed away at the age of 72. The team was run by her daughter, Lorinda de Roulet, following her death. Mrs. de Roulet sold the Mets in 1980.

In 1981, Mrs. Payson was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame.