Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-29
BY RAYMOND A. HILL.
By MAYMUND a. HILL.
PHILADELPHIA, September 28.-
- He looks at you squarely and
steadily from eyes as blue as the
Ii

| - he looks at you SQuarely ana
steadily from eyes as blue as the
l. sea, eyes kind but penetrating.
AS those eyes, set beneath shaggy
brows, gaze into yours, he takes your
hand with a friendly grasp
"Glad to know you, Stats" hardly
would be the right thing to say upon
being introduced to Connie Mack, who
is to lead the Philadelphia Athletics
into the world series with Chicago.
But "Slats" he was to those boys with
whom he received his base ball baptism
IS years ago in East Brookfield, Mass.
Cornelius McGillicuddy then was IL,
and he played ball whenever he could
find time to get away from the shoe
| factory where he was working.
From this kid beginning Mack fought
Z, his way steadily through base ball wars
and base ball politics until finally he
got the Philadelphia franchise In 1901,
when Ban johnson decided his new
Americal League would invade the East.
On that day began a new era for ball
players. Other managers might storm,
fuss and fume at them, but Connie
Mack chose to be more of an adviser
and friend. Always eager to help the
other fellow he never chided young
player in angry tones for misplays, but
quietly corrected him when they were
alone.
other players, men who never wore
the uniform Of the Athletics, soon came
to know Mack and to regard him high
ly. They often went to him for adj
vice, and still do.
Repository for Troubles.
every year players from other clubs
come to me with their troubles" the
67-year -old manager said. Most of
these fellows have been in the game
| ~ oh
through in the majors. They are mis-
taken, for q player usually quits big
league competition five years too soon."
Young fellows seek Mack's advice
| daily. sending letters from all parts
OF the country.
Every one is ambitious to succeed"
said Mack, land that's why I try to
answer them all. A word Of kindness
often gives the youngsters the conf
dence they need to stick In the low
class minor leagues and fight to i'm
prove themselves"
1.-THE great" Shires, almost friendleSs
recently after fist fight with Lena
Blackburne and Lou Barbour, found a
comforter in Connie Mack.
Shires, first baseman Of the Chicago
White Sox, had been barred from Shibe
Park by the club officials. With police
man at his side Fart" espied Connie as
to the field entrance.
Cant YOU fix it for me to stay in
the park, Connie?" Shires pleaded.
$50 far as I am concerned you may
| stay" Mack replied. But Blackburne
and Barbour want you out of the park,
so can't do anything about it. I'm
sorry"
shoulder. Connie said:
"They have two strikes on you. my
boy. Don't let them get you down."
The downcast look left Shires' face.
His shoulders squared as he said, I'll
be in there swinging again. soon"
In these championship days Mack is
being pestered by men wanting world
series tickets, autographs, photographs,
old hats and base ball jerseys. So Con-
ME has had his. home telephone
plugged" and won't answer the door
bell or the telephone until after the
series is over.
Mack arises at 7:30 every morning
| and has breakfast with his children
Earl and Roy Mack. sons by a former
marriage, have homes of their own
now, and Mary has entered convent.
Mr. and Mrs. McGillicuddy still have a
! large family at home, however. with
! Connie, jr., and the girls, Rita, Ruth
and Betty.
Mack never Is SO busy he won't stop
to greet old friends, autograph base balls,
| have his photograph taken with the
groups of children he invites to the
park every day as his guests. These
children usually are from orphan
asylums, Boy Scout troops or school.
Mack is an outstanding figure on the
bench, as he waves his Scorecard to
and fro. The card records every ball
pitched. If the umpire errs and the
AS suffer. you never hear Mack pro-
test Only twice in his long career
and he Is the only man who has man.
| aged a big league club continuously
since its organization-has Mack be-
come excited and argued with the UNI
pires. Ty Cobb was the center Of both
storms.
Not the slightest detail of the game
escapes Mack's keen attention. A mis-
take by an opponent Is noted with as
much care as one by an Athletic player.
A small black notebook Mack carries
In his vest pocket records very players
weakness and he can tell you why Jones
can't hit a high ball inside or why
Brown goes better to his right for
ground balls than to his left.
After the game Connie will stop to
advise a pitcher what to throw to So
and-so when they meet next, or to pat
his shortstop on the back. He might
ask why Simmons tried to bunt instead
of hit behind the runner, but such in
stances are rare. For Mack has con-
fidence in his men.
Mack neither drinks nor uses tobacco.
He objects to his players drinking, but
he doesn't care whether they smoke
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