Peter Hardy (baseball executive)
Peter Hardy | |
|---|---|
| Born | Norman Edgar Hardy 4 January 1917 Toronto, Canada |
| Died | 22 November 1997 (aged 80) |
| Occupation(s) | Brewing executive, Baseball executive |
| Years active | 1949–1989 |
| Known for | Executive roles at Labatt Brewing Company and Toronto Blue Jays |
Norman Edgar "Peter" Hardy (January 4, 1917 – November 22, 1997) was a prominent Canadian figure in brewing and played a key role as one of the original executives for the Toronto Blue Jays in Major League Baseball (MLB).
A native of Toronto, Hardy served with the Royal Canadian Navy throughout World War II. He began his career at Labatt Brewing Company in 1949, advancing to vice president by 1962, and held the position of president from 1964 until 1968. Subsequently, he transitioned to the parent firm, John Labatt Ltd., where he assumed the role of chairman in 1980.
Hardy became a member of the board of directors for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1976, just prior to their debut in the American League in 1977. He served as chairman and CEO from 1982 through 1989. In April 1985, Sports Illustrated recognized him as the top executive in baseball.
He was married to Dorothy and was father to two daughters. Hardy passed away in 1997 at age 80 and was posthumously honored with induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004.