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

batting Tor the twenty games he play
ed in his inaugural season Of 1910,
and was second only to Ty Cobb in
1911 and 1912, was shunted toward
a professional career as a player by
burst of Southern temper when only
II years old. says harvey r. 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 cOlegian. 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, ac-
Corrilng 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 un-
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 in no
sense by lack of interest in baseball
to which he was devoted, but because
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 5. c., July Is. 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
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
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 in the sale Of liver
and sausages. History does not re-
cord whether customers objected to
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 a game on
July A. end the row with the college
player previously referred to clinched
the decision. So in 1905 and part of
800 Joe was an independent player
on semi-prO mines in the vicinity Of
Greenville.
After season Of strict adherence
10 the butcherlng business during
1907, Joe was quite ready to listen
70 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
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 bleachers and inconsistencies
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
dsputing the top place in the pen
nant race for the early weeks OF the
1918 season.
When Connie Mack located tine
PLAYER who had run out on him he
farmed him 10 Savannah and in 1910
released him outright to New or
leans. When with Savannah in the
South Atlantic League I'm 1909 Jack
son topped all the sluggers with .35S.
With New Orleans IN 1910 he led the
league with 354. Thus for three sue
cessive seasons he led three different
minor leag in batting Then he
stepped into the majors and played
twenty games with Cleveland in the
fall Of 1910, batting .3S7. This was
Just two points more than Cobb and
Larry LaJoie. who We're concerned in
scandal at ST. Louis. and the dismiss
sal Of Manager Jack O'ConnOr. who
a few weeks ago secured a verdict
against the St Louis Club for being
fired"
Proved He Was Real Hitter.
Predictions were freely made that
the youngster was hitting over his
head" BUT with the introduction OF
the lively ball in 1911 he proved that
he has been hitting under his head
by Clouting 40S against .42o Of Tyrus
cobb Last year he kept up the mer-
m clip with .3g5 to Cobb's 40.
JaCksOu's speed makes him dam
serous man on the bases. although
mis- 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 we'll as real fielding
ability make him a most valuable
nan I'm 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 years. Cleveland fans are look
'ng forward TO the time when the ri
valry. not unfriendly. between the
Southeruers. will see Jackson ahead
81 Cobb in the final computation OF
stick efforts al the end Of some sea o.