James Aloysius "Bob" Quinn was born on February 14, 1870 in Columbus, OH.

His baseball career began in 1888 as a minor league player in Indiana, Ohio, New York and Virginia leagues. In 1900, he started in Columbus as a groundskeeper and worked his way up to president. He served in that capacity until 1917, when he left to become the vice president and business manager for the St. Louis Browns.

After six years with the Browns, he, with associates Palmer Winslow, Robert Drury, etc., purchased the Boston Red Sox from Harry Frazee. By 1933, it was evident that the venture was failing as Quinn had to take out a loan against his life insurance policy to pay for spring training expenses. He sold the team to Thomas Yawkey. The proceeds from the sale went to the other investors and his debtors. Quinn came away without a penny.

During the 1933 season, Quinn returned to the minor leagues for a short time, taking a position with the Reading club of the New York-Penn League. In 1934, he became the business manager for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He stayed there before he was offered a position with the Boston Braves in 1935, and he remained there until mid-1946.

In 1946, he left the Braves and went to work for Wilson and Company as a salesman but soon retired in 1948. In 1948, he accepted the position of Director at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. He would remain there until 1952. Mr. Quinn died on March 12, 1954.