The Washington herald., 1913-10-12
Connie Mack a Noted
Maker Of Champions
Astute Leader of Athletics Has PiIOted His Team to
Five League Pennants and Produced Three
World BeaterS- of Career.

Connie Mack. the astute manager of
hose worId-beating Athletics, is known
rs the developer of champions and
championship teams. In the thirteen sea-
sons that Philadelphia has held fran
-hise in the American League, Connie
znd his Athletics have landed the PEN
can't five times. and they have been con-
lenders in most other seasons. Three
LINES have the White Elephants won the
worlds gainst the Cubs
In 1901, and wrestling the hOnors from the
Giants in 1911, and in the series Just
,losed.
The series which the Athletics annexed
Yesterday, when they defeated the
Giants is the third in which Mack's team
had been pitted against the McGraw le-
zion, and IN the trio of meetings, Cor
relius McGilIiCuddy and his White
Elephant herd have twice been triumph
ant. The one defeat resting on the Atm
,,-tics was in the memorable series of
sos. when Christy MathewsOn. at his
Sf St turned the trick for McGraw.
With such a record. one would expect
the Philadelphia club constantly to be
ouying the most highly touted recruits ia
he minor leagues. But that is not the
Mack policy. Connie Mack has bought
high priced players. In such instances
le usually has been "stung. In the de-
elopment of Youngsters never previously
,eard of Mack stands in class by him
;elf.
Pays Lutte for Players.
Jack McInnes Eddie Collins. Jack
Barry. Frank Baker-every member OF
that ..slONOO0'' infield-Were brought out
ov Connie Mack, and they were not SlO,UOO
lr SlS.CO0 beauties either. OF the quartet
Baker aIon. had shown more than a
possibility before being picked up by
the astute developer of champions
Just what is the secret behind this phe-
nomenaI success il would be difficult to
state Mack keeps a close tab on young
sters who are coming and he mas
many friends in the cast who tip on
prospective finds" But back OF II AIMS
the fact that Mack likes baseball and ap-
plies his more than thirty years OF expert
eaCe to his business.
Yes. Connie Mack likes baseball. True,
baseball has been good to him-has given
him fortune which Includes a half in
terest in the Philadelphia club. but base
hall has been good to him because he
liked baseball and made the best of its
opportunities
Mack deliberately chose baseball as
profession. When he was twenty-one
years old he was working a cutter in
a boot and shoe factory at East Brook
field. Mass. His salary was sufficient for
his wants. and he had fair chances of
advancement But he threw aside this
A. ssured income. for the uncertainties of
baseball. and baseball was more Uncer-
tain then than now. Nor did Mack quit
his trade in response 10 tempting offers.
He went out looking for a job.
That was more than thirty years ago.
Mack has been in the harness ever since.
He has no intention of retiring, although
his fortune is ample for retirement
IN not retire as long as / can deliver
and they will let me stay" says Connie.
That's the kind of man and kind of base
ball temperament which is such factor
in the success of the Philadelphia club.
Cornelius McGillicuddy, which kindly
custom has shortened TO Connie Mack.
was born of Irish parentage on December
3. 1852, at East Brookfield, Mass, where
his father was a wheelwright- He attend
ed the public schools of his native city.
Baseball then had not the vogue il now
enjoys and there was no school nine, so
Mack got his first taste of the national
pastime after going to work when seven
teen years old in the boot, and shoe fac
tory. As a result Of practice at the noon
hour, the factory hands formed nine
which played games against nefghboring
towns until a league was formed in 1888
TO play for the amateur championship Of
East Brookfield won the
title. Connie was the catcher.
With this taste Of victory and a genuine
liking for the game. Mack quit his Job
and determined TO be a professional play
er He applied for a position with Meri-
Den, but Bob Petit. later with Chicago,
had been signed. Connie tried several
other teams without success. Then he
went hack to the factory to earn money
to support him until he could go in quest
Of another baseball opening.
Sold to Washington. -..
William Hogan. whose catcher Mack
had been at East Brookfield, had signed
with Meriden. One day Connie received
a hurry-np telegram that Meriden was
crippled and to Join the club at once. He
did not finish his days work as cutter.
He caught Hogan on the day of his ar
rival and at once became a regular at
salary of $50 a month. Meriden finished
second that season in the Connecticut
League. .-.-.--.--.r.. - = :. * L
In 1SS Mack signed with Hartford, as
there was no reserve clause, and Meriden
was slow in deciding whether Il could
support team. Later IL decided afirma-
hvel:' and won the pennant while Hart.