San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-18
Connie Mack Has Local Boy
in Famous college Glass -
Bartlett McMellan, Pitch
ing for Texas University,
Held Athletics to Two
Hits-Mack Signed Him
and Kept Him Through
out 1922 Season Absorb
ing knowledge.

Connie Nick has the reputation Of
being the greatest developer of young
baseball players in the business. The
angular manager of the Philadelphia
Athletics likes to "see 'em sprout."
His joy is digging up diamond pros
pect in the rough and making a star
of him, taking the impressionistic col
lege youngster and developing him
along lines that suit Connie Mack.
Seldom does he fail with a !oungster
he thinks has the markings of a star.
The fact that his purchase recently
Of Sam Hale for a reported sum of
$4,000 is the largest outlay of money
he has ever made, and one If the very
few big purchases the Athletics have
figured in, testifies TO Mack's develop
ing powers.
Mack always has on hand what the
Philadelphia sport writers are pleased
to call his college class" boys in
the process of development, q process
often requiring years before they are
severely tested in action.
One of the leading members of Con-
MES COLLEGE class Low is San An
tonian, Bartlett Mcclellan, the relation
Of whose career thus far has the ro-
mantle sound of an Alger story.
Let Him Look and Learn.
Mack thinks a lot of McMellan's
prospects. He doesn't rave over him
that's not his way-but it's easy to
see he considers the San Antonio boy
right-handed pitcher Of promise.
The biggest indication Of this came
when Mack kept Bartlett on the
bench throughout the 1922 season with
out sending him into, any but exhibit
ton games. That'J Mack's style;
don't rush the youngsters; let them
absorb all they can before they are
put to the big test; avoid anything
that might wreck their confidence or
dull their spirit.
Mcclellan pitched and batted Main
Avenue High School to a champion
ship here in 1920. Then he went to
the University of Texas. Under wise
old Billy Disch. Longhorn mentor. his
baseball education progressed, and he
learned to face zeal opposition in the
summer pitching semi-pro ball at
Thorndale. where powerful team of
college men from over the state was
gotten together.
The Philadelphia Athletics trained
at Eagle Pass last spring. They in
cluded the University Of Texas on their
list Of opponents on their way home.
Two games were scheduled at Austin.
Set OF Sluggers.
In the first game. young Mcclellan
faced the Philadelphians. The Ath-
letics rs n team wefr n lOosely-weldrd
collection. far from championship cali
Der. but there was no question at all
that Bing Miller. Tilly Walker. Cy
Perkins and company could hit like
fiends.
Here comes the story-book part.
After his nervous mates had booted
in four rms for the Athletic in the
first inning. Mcclellan. undismayed.
nitched shutort ball for the remaining
eight frames. in he last five 1T which
the biz lpaguers were retired in or
der. In view Of the poor support his
team gave him in the first inning. his
feat was all the more sensational. The
Athletic sluggers cot only two hits.
Thnv won on that first inning. 4 to q.
That nprforance floored Connie
Mack. Mcclellan was Immediately APP
nrnached. Before long he had signed
= Philadelphia contract and. as soon
ms school was out, Joined the big
LEAGUE team. a..
icHIelIon inst looked on all last
season, He pitched in a s1upIe o. ex x,
hibition games sgainSt lnternatinnn
Learue clubs and did verv welE Mack
coached him steadily. He saw veter-
ans and youngsters make mistakes and