Claire Betz

Claire Smith Betz (January 11, 1921 – February 6, 2014) was a part-owner of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team.

She inherited her part-ownership from her husband, John Betz - who bought his share of the team in 1981 - when he died in 1990. According to Bill Conlin, she had a 33% stake in the team in 2007, making her the largest stakeholder of the ownership group.[1][2] She was part of the cabal of Phillies owners known as the "Phantom Five", so-called because of their reclusiveness and lack of involvement in Phillies affairs.[3]

The Betz family made its fortunes in Betz Laboratories, a water treatment company based in Pennsylvania.[3]

The Phillies honored Betz with the wearing of a "CB" memorial patch on their uniforms during the 2014 season.[4][5][6]

Personal life and other endeavors

Betz attended Mount Saint Joseph Academy and then Villanova University. She was a philanthropist who donated 200 acres of land to the Natural Lands Trust.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Butler, Scott. "Who are the Phillies owners?". Phils Baseball. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  2. ↑ Conlin, Bill. "Phils' part-owner has money to burn". philly.com. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Philadelphia Phillies Owners: The Phantom Five". Philadelphia. Metro Corp. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  4. ↑ Shenk, Larry. "Good-bye Clearwater". Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  5. ↑ "Phillies wearing CB memorial patch". Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  6. ↑ "The CB Team Would Like to Thank the Phillies for Paying Homage to Their Favorite Site This Season". Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  7. ↑ "Claire Smith Betz Obituary". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2 April 2014.


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