Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-15
BUTCHER BOY
WAS JACKSON
IN YOUNG DAYS

batting for the twenty games he play
ed in his inaugural season OF 1910
and VIC second only to Ty Cobb in
1911 and 1912, was shunted toward
a professional career as a player by
a bueNt Of Southern temper when only
II years old, says harvey T Wood
ruff, in the Chicago Tribune
AS the story goes, Jackson was a
member Of the Greenville Is. c.
Changers, who won thirty straight
games in one season. He was play
ing against college nine in his home
town, when, in sliding to second base,
he was spiked in the muscles of the
leg Just above the knee by a gentle
manly collegian. Joe thought this
act was premeditated on the part of
the higher education fellow. So he
proceeded to take off his shoe and
apply the spiked footwear to sundry
and divers portions Of his assailant's
body until the same bore a resem-
blance to a hamburger steak. &C
cordlng to more or less reliable re-
ports.
Under Bonds to Keep Peace.
This little pleasantly. however. re-
suited in Joe being put under bonds
to keep the peace. and brought I'M
friendly criticism from friends Of the
leave Greenville temporarily, at least,
for the career of a ball player. The
experience gained on Independent
mines in 1905 and 1906 paved the way
for his entrance into the big leagues
although he returned to the meat shop
the latter part of 1906 and during
1907
This return was prompted in no
sense by lack of interest in baseball
Il, 4 h,,E
the prospects for a regular payday
were less nerve raCking.
That was less than six years ago
and Jackson stands to-day one of the
greatest players in the history of the
game But to take up the tale chro-
nologically Jackson was born at
Brandon Hill. $. c.. July 16. 1887, al
though passing most OF his life at
Greenville, Of the same State. There
his father attempted to bring mp a
family of nine children. seven boys
and two girls, from the profits Of
butcher shop. Two OF the younger
brothers are touted by Joe as likely
10 uphold the family name on the
diamond
Worked in Butcher Shop.
With a family of this size. the ell
der Jackson thought Joe Of more use
in the shop than at school So In
stead Of learning the national pas
time back Of the "old schoolhouse,
Joe picked up the rudiments in the
street in front Of the store when
there was a lull I'm the sale Of liver
and sausages. History does not re-
cord whether customers objected 10
his sudden transfers from the dust
of the road to the ice box and return.
Jackson's first serious thoughts Of
professional ball followed the earn
ing Of $3.50 for pitching game on
July I, and the row with the college
player previously referred 20 clinched
the decision. So In 1905 and part OF
1906 Joe was an independent player
on semi-pro mines in the vicinity Of
Greenville.
After a season OF strict adherence
70 the butchering business during
1907, Joe was quite ready 70 listen
to the plea OF Manager Thomas
Stouch Of Greenville. then in the
South Carolina League. to sign a
contract for the season OF 1908. Jack
son led the league in batting, with
mark of .346
Was With the Athletics.
Connie Mack Of Philadelphia, not
only has long legs. but long ears when
II comes to hearing OF promising
yO1Ing players, ana Joe ioined the
Athletics that fall He was given
trial in the outfield A long fly,
lost in the sun and played poorly.
struck him on the chest, and he was
removed from the game The gibes
Of the bleachers and homeslckneSs
caused him to desert the club. The
story always was spread that he was
afraid Of the high buildings.
At any rate, IL is one Of the strange
happenings Of baseball that the team
which Jackson deserted is the one
with which his present club has been
disputing the top place In the pen
nant race for the early weeks or the
1918 season.
When Connie Mack located the
PLAYER who had run out" on him ne
fsrned him to Savannah. and in 1910
released him outright 20 New or
leans. When with Savannah iu the
South Atlantic League In 1909 Jack
son topped an the sluggers with .35s.
with New Orleans in 1910 he led the
1eague with 1854 Thus for three sue
SAzsive seasons he led three different
minor leagues IN batting. Ihen ne
stepped into the majors and Played
twenty games with Cleveland in the
fall OF 1910 batting .Ss7. This was
inst two points more than Cobb ana
Larry I.ajoie. who were concerned IN
the batting rivalry which caused the
scandal at 81. Louis, and the dismis-
sal Of Manager Jack O'Connor, who
a few weeks ago secured a verdict
against the 81. Louis Club for being
fired"
Proved He Was Real Hitter.
Predictions were freely made tlat
tbe voungster was hitting over his
head" But with the introduction or
me lively bail In 1911 ne proved that
he has been hitting under his head
nv clouting .4OS against .42o Of Tyrus
Cobb Last year he kept up the mer-
nv cIip with 395 TO Cobb's 40.
Jackson's speed makes him a. dan
-arous man on the bases. although
q keen eve and the strength with
which he propels his big hlucEeon
earn him more fame than his reputa-
ton as finished base stealer. rms
same speed as we'll as real heiaths
ability make him a most Va.uanle
man in the defensive end of the game
sensational catches, as vel as sehsa
tIonal swats. enliven the reports Of
Cleveland games.
With such progress ln less IMAM
three years. Cleveland fans are look
9ng forward TO the time when the RI
valry. not unfriCndly. between me
Southerners. viii see Jackson ahead
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