The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1910-09-16
MACK A GREAT MANAGER.
The Philadelphia Leader Talks Little,
but Gets Results.


New York, Sept. 13.-Cornelius Nc
Gillicuddy is name to ponder over
anywhere. Connie Mack" uttered in
connection with baseball, commands
immediate attention. 1t means the
Philadelphia Athletics coming cham
pions of the American League. c. Nc
Gillicuddy is the man behind mighty
classy team and a man of mystery.
He is quite card, having been known
to utter as many as ten words pub
licly. Not that c. Mack is stingy with
language, but he is a close-mouthed
lriShman-a rara avis in ferris. In
terviewing C. Mack is like shaking
hands with yourself, shouting Hell
10, hello. good-by," and going away. If
The day is fine and everything lovely
C. Mack probably will inquire how
the home athletes are going and if the
new player hits to right or left field.
He may even venture the opinion that
it's nice day, that yesterday was
nice and that 1t will be pleasant next
week if it doesn't rain. C. Mack is
the human question mark and infor.
nation sponge.
Cornelius McGillcuddy embellishes
his countenance with a studious look
and garbs his person in ministerial
raiment. His face looks like a week
Of prayer, and he's always "just lit
tie down in the mouth" But for the
pictures printed in the daily press he
could walk up the prominent streets
and be recognized by less than six
persons. He never appears in con-
nection with a ball game.
His methods of living are peculiar.
He goes to the ball yard via street
car, climbs into the grandstand, buys
score card, surveys the playing sur
face and walks slowly down to the
bench. Arriving there he removes his
coat, draws a pencil from his pocket
and makes few marks on the score
card When the contest begins he
sits with hands on knees, body in
clined forward and wigwags diligently
with the score card. Occasionally he
shifts his feet, all of which has great
significance for the toiling athlete.
After the game he waits till the crowd
leaves the park, climbs into a street
car and returns to the hotel, quietly,
with dignity and without a smile.
Should the Athletics lose he wears a
look of sadness not unlike the ex-
preston of the small boy whose yell
low dog has gone astray.
Mack handles his ball players like
woman teaches children in the kim
dergarten-trmly, kindly and with
everlasting patience. He can see
young man coming" further than any
manager in baseball and he'll stick
in the face of errors and strike outs,
once he makes up his mind the young
man will develop. His players rave
over him, work for him, and are salts
fed. He has showed bunch of youths
supported by few old heads into the
leading in the American League and
will make a record of victories sur
passing anything in the history of
Ban Johnson's organization.
Cornelius McGillicuddy is no wizard,
but he is close student, and develop.
ed from a mediocre catcher into a
great manager. When Mack stood
behind the bat for Pittsburg early in
the '90s, there was no smoothness to
the rear of his fine red neck. He was
as rough as the next. He quit playing
in 1897. When he assumed the man.
agement of the Athletics in 1901 there
was no more polished manager in
baseball. c. Mack learned quickly.
There's a saying in baseball to this
effect:
"If Connie Mack passed up a player
| don't want him"
Rival managers who follow this ten
ct are wise. His latest strategy was
trading Maurice Rath and a $4,000