Frick made few enemies among the owners .
Zimbalist concludes that the barons of baseball were so pleased with his laissez - faire approach that upon Frick 's retirement in 1965 owners appointed the malleable but out of his element Gen. William Eckert as commissioner .
Frick made few enemies among the owners , and Zimbalist concludes that the barons of baseball were so pleased with his laissez - faire approach that upon Frick 's retirement in 1965 they appointed the malleable but out of his element Gen. William Eckert as commissioner .