Raymond Albert Kroc

    * Born October 5, 1902 in Oak Park, IL
    * Died January 14, 1984 in San Diego, CA

Ray Kroc bought the McDonald's restaurant chain in Des Plaines, IL in 1955 and expanded it into a global franchise. In 1974, he bought the San Diego Padres. During the 1974 home opener, Kroc took the public address microphone and apologized to the fans for the poor play on the field. He owned the team until his death in early 1984; that year the Padres reached the World Series. His wife, Joan Kroc, succeeded him as owner of the Padres. She sold the team in 1990 for $75 million dollars to a group headed by Tom Werner and passed away at the age of 75 in 2003.