Harry Simmons’ unrivalled knowledge of baseball history, rules and statistics landed him a job with the International League in 1946, the same historic season that Jackie Robinson played his first year of integrated baseball with the Montreal Royals. After handling much of the press coverage related to Robinson, Simmons wore many hats in the league’s executive office over the next 20 years, and was often consulted on issues related to player contracts, finances and staffing. Previously in New York, the International League’s head office was transferred to Montreal in 1953. Simmons would move his family to Cartierville, Quebec the following year and maintain his Canadian residence until 1995.

Schedule-making was also one of Simmons’ key duties while employed by the International League. The determined administrator would master the art of schedule-making before the age of computers. Considered a pioneer in the field, Simmons would also create schedules for Major League Baseball (MLB) for more than 20 years, and eventually leave the International League to work in an advisory capacity for the MLB commissioner. Montreal mayor, Gerry Snyder, also consulted Simmons when he was attempting to land a major league franchise for his city in the late ’60s.

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