James Lemon

Who is James Lemon?

James Hanson Lemon, Sr. was an investment banker from Washington, D.C.. He is best known as the co-owner of the Washington Senators of the American League with James Johnson from 1963 through 1967, and the principal owner and chairman of the board in 1968. Lemon was born in Washington, D.C. in 1903. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Princeton University in 1925.

During the 1930s, Lemon was well known in the world of contract bridge, serving as president of the Washington Bridge League and, in 1939, of the American Contract Bridge League.

In 1963, Johnson and Lemon purchased the Senators franchise from Elwood Richard Quesada. After purchasing Johnson's share of the team in 1967, Lemon sold the franchise to Bob Short in 1968. Lemon remained with the Senators as Chairman of the Board, retaining a minority interest in the team. Short later moved the Senators to Arlington, Texas, where they became the Texas Rangers.

Lemon was not related to Jim Lemon, the field manager on the Senators at the time, circa 1968.

Lemon died in 1977 at Washington D.C. His wife Martha died on December 21, 1996.