Longtime Executive Schweppe Dies at 86

Bill Schweppe, a Dodger executive for 41 years, died Monday at Anaheim Memorial Hospital, the team said. He was 86.

Schweppe worked for the Dodgers from 1946-87.

He was the organization's vice president of minor league operations from 1968-87.

Schweppe began his career in the organization as the business manager of the Newport News, Va., minor league affiliate in 1946.

He became business manager of the minor league team in Danville, Ill., in 1948, and was promoted to the position of assistant to the minor league director for the Brooklyn Dodgers the following year.

Schweppe moved to St. Louis as the Dodgers' Midwestern supervisor of scouting and farm clubs in 1950, and when the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles eight years later, he traveled west as well, becoming secretary of minor league operations.

Schweppe, who received a law degree from the Missouri Institute of Accountancy and Law, is survived by his wife, Joyce, and five children.

Funeral arrangements were pending.