Thomas Austin Yawkey, born Thomas Yawkey Austin (February 21, 1903 – July 9, 1976), was an American industrialist and Major League Baseball executive. Born in Detroit, Yawkey became president of the Boston Red Sox in 1933 and was the sole owner of the team for 44 seasons. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980. In 2018, John Henry, current owner of the Red Sox, publicly distanced the team from Yawkey, citing that he was haunted by the allegations of racism against Yawkey and the team's slow pace at integrating. Yawkey died in July 1976 from leukemia.