John Henry Moss, one of the most influential figures in minor league baseball during his 50-year reign as president of the South Atlantic League, died of complications from a stroke. He was 90.

The Class A league announced its founder died Wednesday in his hometown of Kings Mountain, N.C. He had been hospitalized since June 7.

Moss helped form the Western Carolina League for textile workers in 1947. A decade later he worked a deal with Brooklyn Dodgers executive Branch Rickey to stock the league with professionals.

It later became the South Atlantic League, which Moss ran for 50 seasons before his retirement in 2007. Under Moss, 43 cities fielded teams. The league currently has 16 clubs in eight states. The No. 50 is retired throughout the league to honor Moss' service.

A good fielding but light-hitting second baseman, Moss washed out of the Washington Senators minor league system in the 1930s.