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


professional career as a player by
burst 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 a 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 of 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
cording to more or less reliable re-
ports.
Under Bonds 60 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
collegian. Therefore Joe decided to
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 I'm no
sense by lack of interest In baseball
20 which he was devoted, but because
the prospects for a regular payday
were less nerve racking.
That was less than six years ago,
- 10 e E.7
greatest players in the history of the
game. But to take up the tale chro-
nologically, Jackson was born at
Brandon Hill, S. c., July 16. 1887, al
though passing most OF his life at
Greenville, of the same State There
his father attempted to bring up a
family of nine children, seven boys
and two girls, from the profits of a
butcher shop. Two OF the younger
brothers are touted by Joe as likely
to 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
I'm 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 luI in 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 q game on
July 4, and the row with the college
player previously referred to 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 10 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
IL comes 10 hearing Of promising
young players, ana Joe Joined the
Athletics that fall. He was given
a 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 bleacheTs and homesickness
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
happeninEs 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
1913 season.
When Connie Mack located the
PLAYER who had run out on him ne
farmed him TO Savannah, and in 1910
released him outright TO New or
leans. When with Savannah in the
South Atlantic League In 1909 Jack
son topped all the sluggers with .33S.
With New Orleans I'm 1910 he led the
league with .354 Thus for three sue
cessfve seasons ne led three different
minor leagues IN batting. Then ne
stepped into the majors and played
twenty games with Cleveland In the
fall OF 1910, batting .9S7. This was
lust two points more than Cobb and
Larry LaiOie. who were concerned IN
the batting rivalry which caused the
scandal at St. Louis. and the dismiss
sal Of Manager Jack O'COnnor, Who
a few weeks ago secured verdict
fired"
Proved He Was Real Hitter.
Predictions We're freely made that
the youngster was hitting over his
head" But with the Introduction OF
the lively hall in 1911 he proved that
he has been hitting under his head
bv cIouting 40S against .420 OF Tyrus
Cobb Last year he kept up the mer-
nv cHn with 3g5 to Cobb's 40.
Jackson's speed makes him dan
cerous man on the bases. although
his keen eve and the strength with
which he propels his big bludgeon
earn him more fame than his reputa-
ton as A finished base stealer. This
same speed as well as real fielding
ability make him a most valuable
nan in the defensive end of the game
Sensational catches. as well as sensa-
rIonal swats, enliven the reports OF
Cleveland games.
With such progress in less than
three wears. Cleveland fans are look
ing forward 70 the time when the NJ
vaIrv, not uufrieudly. between the
Southeruers. will see Jackson ahead
81 Cobb in the final computation Of
stick efforts at the end Of some sea-
son-pe~laps 1918
SMITH AND R0DEL TO