Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-09-30
MACK, A MAKER
OF BALL CHAMPIONS
Close MOuthed, Cool and
Figures Out Every
Diamond Play
NO WIZARD, BUT
HARD, CLOSE STUDENT

OoIHtiluo NlC1liiltuuuF Is a name 10
ponder over anywhere. Connie Mack"
uttered in connection with baseball
commands immediate attention. C..
McGillicuddy is the man behind a
mighty classy team, and a man of
mystery He is quite card, having
been known to utter as many as zen
words publicly in one week Not that
G. Mack is stingy with language, but
he is a close-mouthed Irishman-
rara avis in ferris
interviewing {. Mack is like shaking
hands with yourself, shouting Hell
lol" "Good-byel" and going away. If
the day is fine and everything lively
c. Mack will probably inquire how the
home athletes are going, and II the
new player hits to right or left field
He may even venture the opinion that
it's a nice day, that yesterday was
nice, and that it will be pleasant next
week If it doesn't rain. {. Mack is the
human question mark and information
sponge.
Cornelius McGillicuddy embellishes
his countenance with a studious look
and CARDS his person In ministerial
Iaiment His face looks like a week
of prayer, and he's always lust a lit
tie down In the mouth"
But for the pictures printed I'm the
daily press he could walk up the
prominent streets of eight cities in
the American league and be recogniz-
ed by less than six persons. He never
appears in connection with a ball
game.
His methods of living are peculiar.
lie goes to the ball yard via street car,
climbs Into the grandstand, buys a
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
Ind makes a few marks on the scoro
card.
When the contest begins ne sits wit.
hands on knees, body inclined for
ward and wig-wags diligently with
the score card. Occasionally he shifts
mis- feet, all of which has great signi-
ticance for the toiling athlete.
After the game he waits till the
crowd leaves the park, climbs into a
stieet car and retui MS to the hotel
4uietly, with dignity, and without a
smile. Should the Athletics lose he
wears a look of sadness not unlike the
expression of the small boy whose yell
low dog has gone astray.
Mack handles his players like a
woman teaching children I'm the kin
del garten-irmly. kindly and with
everlasting patience. He can see a
young man coming" farther 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 love
him, work for him and are satisfied.
He has showed a bunch OF youths
supported by a few old heads into the
lead In the American league, and VIII
make a record Of victories SURPRISING
anything in the history of Ban John.
sons organization.
Cornelius McGillicuddy is no wizard
but he is a close student. and develop.
ed from a mediocre catcher into Z
great manager. When Mack stood be.
hind the bat for Pittsburg early in the
sos 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 base
ball. c. Mack learned quickly
There's a saying In baseball to this
effect: If Connie Mack passed I'D q
player, ! don't want him" Rival man.
ayers who follow this tenet are wise
His latest strategy was trading Mau.
rice Rath and $4,000 option on Joe
jackson for Bristol Lord, outfelder
Lord has played a consistent game
for the Athletics. Rath went back tc
the minors three weeks after Cleve.
land landed him.