Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-19

Fred Lake of Boston are all having their
troubles and sleepless nights, too. but
they all possess one advantage that is
denied Mr. Mack.
They get into the action, and in this
manner are able to let OIL some of their
surplus steam.
Clarke and Chance are star players
on their clubs, and Jennings and Lake
get out on the lines and assist in the
coaching.
But Mr. Mack is never seen by the
public. He is the last of the great bench
managers Of the old days. Just before
the game starts he slips quietly out on
the bench, has a word with his cap
tain or catchers and finds out which of
his pitchers seems to be in the best con-
dition to pitch. He reaches his decision.
selects the battery, and from that time
on not a play in the game but calls for
his personal direction.
There used to be many such managers,
but the times have gradually done away
with them. Perhaps motives of economy
started the preference for a manager who
could also play position. Results were
achieved by these men. Chance and Jones
of Chicago, both great players, won PEN
nants. Then coaching managers. like
Jennings and McGraw, came into prom1-
nence. and there are many Of them now.
Manager Mack has been seen in all
three roles
First as g. player with the Pittsburg Ma
tional League, he was promoted to the
place Of playing manager. When he left
the National League to go to the Western
League at Milwaukee he caught and
mana ged at first, but later stopped play
ing, though he did put on a uniform and
go out on the coaching lines.
But when he came to Philadelphia Mr..
ing and with the spangles. and hence
forth would be the general who should
direct the play from the obscurity and
comfort of the bench.
II thought 1 was making my job easier, "
said Mr.. Mack, explaining his decision,
''but didn't know. have never worked
harder in my life, never been under more
Of a strain, never felt more exhausted at
the end of my days work than I am just
at present
ers, the player on the field even. doesn't
know what it means for the leader or
the team in the midst of all the turmoil
and mental anguish that comes to man
as he watches his team out there trying
to win the game according to lines he has
mapped out.
There is responsibility there. Tho
way base ball is financed today the finan-
cial risks are big. 1t takes heavy receipts
to run a bali club, and the only way to
get them is to have winner.
ITO some extent the manager of a
club is like the manipulation of the market
in a big stock deal He must think
quickly. Others are dependent on him.
ly up against it,
Out there on the seats are the thou
sands of spectators, cheering and yelling.
If you are out Of town they are frankly
against you, and no device of roofing.
shouting, insults, calculated to upset your
men. are going to be withheld to influence
the battle adversely to your interests.
Suppose you are at home. Even then
the big crowd disquiets you. Their loyal
roofing constantly impresses on you a
sense of duty not to fall down. 1t Is a
constant. unceasing struggle to give them
the victory for which they are calling.
Then the players and coachers of the
other team are ever there with the sort
of talk and comment aimed to upset you,
and put your system of team play in bad
This must be watched in addition to
the developments OF the play itself, and
moreover a manager must know his men,
their physical condition and their tempera-
ment. Some men stiffen under fire, some
weaken. Some cannot stand certain kinds
of weather. some are good against one
team. helpless against another
Il love base ball. There is no other
calling for me. l shall probably be a
bench manager as long -as i am In the