The Washington herald., 1915-01-14

JOE CONNOLLY AND HIS PERPETUAL
SMILE A CREDIT TO THE GAME
Woonsocket Boy, Member of
Boston Braves, Is Famous
for His Swatting Ability.
FIRST WITH PROVIDENCE

There is one member OF the Boston
Braves who might as well be known as
the man with the perpetual smile
Whether in the lobby OF hotel surround
cd by enthusiastic friends. or on the
diamond in the stress OF close encoun-
ter. or on his well-ordered farm neal
Woonsocket, r. l., the same broad
golden flow emanates from Joseph Con-
nolly's face. He is the bearer OF uni
versaI good cheer, the most pleasant,
genial, likable person in baseball today.
The pictures of Connolly all show him
with that celebrated smile. 1t isn't af-
fected. 1t isn't put on for the occasion.
1t Is as natural as base hits to Connolly.
His irrepressible good humor Is always
overfowlng. We couldn't picture him
with a crouch. II We ever saw him thus
We would be Immediately persuaded that
couldn't be Connolly, for he is always
smiling.
Naturally a man who has just taken
part in a worlds series that netted him a
small fortune and gave him membership
in the most famous club OF the hour
ought to be allowed to smile il he wants
to. Perhaps many others would smile in
similar circumstances. We would do a
pretty good trick at smiling ourselves for
the portion of the gate receipts that fell
TO the lot OF the Braves individual play
ers. We would be smiling yet.
Twenty-seven Years Old.
lie was born in South SmithfieId. Mass,
just twenty-seven years ago. His older
brother was a ball player of much prom
Use. who died before he had reached the
heights trod by Joe Perhaps. however.
Joe was stimulated in his exertions by
memory of that older brother and his
great and acknowledged abilities. At any
rate he has always done his best, and no
on" as has frequently been remarked,
could do more
Woonsocket. a short distance from
his home, boasted several seml-pro-
fessiOnal teams. and II was here that
Connolly first gained some degree of
prominence. In the year 1909 the
whole State of Rhode Island was
wrought up to a high state OF en-
thusiasm. 1t was holding a champion
ship series all its own. The leading
cities were all represented. Excite
ment was intense. Connolly was in
duced to play on the Providence club.
After much see-sa wing the fight mar
rowed down to two clubs, OF which
Providence was one. The great and
decisive conflict was at hand So
important was this contest in the ewes
of the participants that a major league
umpire. Mr.. Rudderham, was secured
for the occasion.
In this contest Connolly shone re-
splendent. 1t was his work that over
topped all others. Almost single
handed he won the game and the
championship of the State for Provi-
dence. 1t was day of triumph for
the modest Woonsocket lad. Incl
dentally it was the day which ushered
him into a larger sphere of activity,
for Rudderham was so impressed with
the showing of Connolly that he tipped
off a club out in Ohio to this new
star, and GAINESVILLE promptly entered
into negotiations with Connolly. This
was how he happened to begin his
professional career so far away from
home. a circumstance that has puz-
zled not a few people who have
glanced over his record.
Did Not Finish Season.
This was In 1910. Connolly did not
finish out the season with GAINESVILLE. He
was climbing rapidly. The next step on
the ladder was Terre Haute, and there
little later the Cubs scouts saw him.
were impressed with his work and pur-
chased him for the Cubs.
Chlcago, however, was loaded up with
Outfielders at this time, and sent Joe to
Montreal. then in the Eastern League,
now the International Joe, II is hardly
necessary to add. had given up all hopes
of being a pitcher and had settled down
COntentedly in the outfield. At Montreal
he made great showing.
Clark Griffith was in need of slugging
outfielders, so he took him South in 1872,
but on returning North released him to
Boston.
Here Connolly really came into his
own. Since Joining the Braves he has
been one OF the greatest offensive assests
of the club. He is their most direful
slugger. considerably topping the three
hundred mark. He leads the club by a
wide margin at the bat.
Stallings considers him every bit as
dangerous a batter as Home Run
Baker, which Is some boost, to say the
least. For some reason he withdraws Joe
from the lineup when a sOuthpaw is
opposing the Braves OF course. Connolly
is a left-handed batsman, but never had
any trouble in hitting the southpaws In
the minors We will. however, not at
tempt to criticise the methods OF Stall
lings, as his record speaks for ITSELF
From February Baseball Magazine.