This week back in 1979, a baseball promotion got out of hand. Known as Disco Demolition, it prompted
fans to bring disco records to the ball park to watch them blown up. It wound up in what some called a riot.
"My dad looked at me and said, every once in a while you have one that works too well." - Mike Veeck
White Sox owner Bill Veeck was known for his wild promotions. But this idea belonged to his son, Mike, a White Sox executive. Since then, Mike Veeck has built a long resume in baseball. He has ownership in six minor league teams, including the one in Bloomington-Normal. But his legacy will always include the disco fiasco…
Mike Veeck, a third-generation baseball executive, is a minority owner in five minor-league teams and a consultant to five others. His grandfather, William Veeck Sr., was a sportswriter who became president of the Chicago Cubs. His father, Bill Veeck, was a legendary maverick who owned, at various times, the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Browns, and Chicago White Sox. Mike Veeck held major-league marketing positions for the Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Florida Marlins, and Detroit Tigers. Founder of the Veeck Promotional Seminar, he released a corporate training video based on his “Fun is Good” philosophy as well as a Fun Is Good book.
