Richard E. Jacobs | |
|---|---|
.JPG) Dick Jacobs during the construction ofJacobs Field, 1994. | |
| Born | Richard E. Jacobs June 16, 1925 Akron, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | June 5, 2009(2009-06-05) (aged 83) Westlake, Ohio, U.S. |
| Education | B.A.Indiana University |
| Occupations | Businessman, Sports Entrepreneur, Sports Franchise Owner, Real Estate Developer |
| Known for | Co-founder of Richard E. Jacobs Group, and Owner ofCleveland Indians from 1986 to 1999 |
| Spouse | Helen Jacobs (Chaney) (divorced 1983) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Vivan and Adeline Jacobs |
| Family | David H. Jacobs (brother) Jeffery P. Jacobs (son) |
| Awards | Two-timeAmerican League Champion1995,1997,Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame (class of 2009) |
Richard E. "Dick" Jacobs (June 16, 1925 – June 5, 2009) was an American businessman and real estate developer who co-founded theJacobs Entertainment, Inc., Richard E. Jacobs Group, and was owner of theCleveland Indians from 1986 to 1999.[1]
Jacobs was born in 1925 inAkron, Ohio,[2] In 1943, he served in the Army duringWorld War II.[2] In 1949, he graduated fromIndiana University with a degree in business administration and accepted a job with a development company in Akron.[2] In 1955, he and his brother, David H. Jacobs, started a general contracting company that concentrated on the building of small strip malls. The company grew rapidly and by 1992, the Jacobs Group ranked fourth in the nation in the development and management of enclosed malls owning 40 malls in 16 states outright; they also owned 31 Wendy's fast-food restaurants and severalMarriott Hotels & Resorts.[2] The Jacobs Group company builds and leasesshopping centers, offices, and hotels. Among its properties areKey Tower andWestgate Mall inCleveland, Ohio, andTriangle Town Center inRaleigh, North Carolina. His company also builtWestland Mall,Northland Mall, andEastland Mall inColumbus, Ohio.
Along with his brother,[3] Jacobs was also well known for owning theCleveland Indians ofMajor League Baseball (MLB) from 1986 to 1999; after David's death in 1992, Richard operated the team on his own. In 1994,Jacobs Field would open as the new venue of the Indians indowntown Cleveland. The ballpark bore his family name from its opening in April 1994 until January 2008. Jacobs' tenure as Indians owner marked one of the team's most successful periods in franchise history the team went 1119-1080 during the regular season, and 25-22 during the postseason, reaching theWorld Series on two occasions (1995, and1997), and winningAmerican League Central Division championships in five consecutive seasons (1995-1999). Under Jacobs ownership the Indians also hosted the1997 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the first held in Cleveland in sixteen years.
Jacobs was a co-owner with his son,Jeffery P. Jacobs, ofJacobs Entertainment, Inc., a casino and racetrack company after they merged companies in 2002.[4]
Jacobs died on June 5, 2009, after a long illness at his Westlake home.[5] The funeral was held at theRocky River United Methodist Church.[6] He was buried at Lakewood Park Cemetery inRocky River, Ohio.