The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-09-19

While Mack was with the Pitts
burgh club, big padded mits were used
by catchers for the first time, Sunday
baseball was initiated by some Ma
tional league clubs, the flat-bat was
abolished and the pitching distance
moved back from so to 60 feet, 81
inches.
Revolutionary, as well, were devel-
opments IN baseball organization.
After the original American assocl-
alton blew up, cities such a st. Louis,
Louisville and Cleveland were taken
into membership Of q new 12-club
circuit.
The split season was tried and
abandoned but the 12-club formation
remained intact until the end Of the
10th century. The 20th was ushqred
in by q drastic upheayal, the organ
ization Of the New American league as
q rival and q war between opposing
magnates that lasted for several
years.
Milwaukee, with Connie Mack as
manager, was one Of the original
teams In the new league, launched in
1900. It finished second to Chicago.
followed In order by Indianapolis, De-
troit, Kansas City, Cleveland, Buffalo,
and Minneapolis. For the first time,
baseball fans began to take notice Of
the managerial ability Of the lanky
IriShman.
Looking backward. 80 years later.
Mack told me:
my experience at Milwaukee was
the turning point in my career. Ibid
not know much about handling q
clubs affairs, but I quickly found out.
I was installed as business as well as
playing manager. I called the roll,
directed the play. paid the bills and
handled the other office dealings, be-
sides taking q frequent turn behind
the bat. My four years there were
most fruitful In their effect upon my
later career.
when, In 1901. johnson advised
me to seize the chance for . partner
ship with the Shibes in the Phila-
delphia Club Of the new league, !
was pretty well equipped for the Job.
My playing days were over. After
coming to Philadelphia ! never 80
much as put on q uniform again. and
I have seldom even left the bench"
It was q struggle for Mack and his
partners from the outset In their Ell
fort to gain q footing with the new
Athletics in the Quaker City.
Comics major league salaries
ranged from $4,000 to $500. He
had married. but had been thrifty.
He put every cent he had saved into
the venture and acquired . IS per
| cent interest. Later, when wealth
and fame came to him, he was able
to increase this to 50 per cent, but
there was many q month in the early
days when the appearance Of the
players envelopes was In doubt and
when no dividends whatever were de-
clared.
Philadelphia entered the new league
in 1901 under the n and only man
who has ever managed its playing
destinies. In the war with the Ma
tional league for athletes, Mack as
senbled q mixed collection Of veter-
ans and youngsters
Among the youngsters was Eddie
Plank. q college left-hander just out
Of Gettysburg. whose cross-fire later
was to become famous. The Gross
boys, Lave and Monte; Harry Dayil
and Dave Fulz were on the roster o.
the Athletics of 1901. They finished
fourth In the race. trailing Chicago
Boston and Detroit. but leading Balti.
more, Washington, Cleveland and
Milwaukee.
Clark Griffith. the "Old Fox" wa,
pitcher manager Of the champion
Chicago White Sox. starting TIL
American league career that was h
lead him to the presidency Of I,
worlds championship club in Wash
ington in 1924. Billy Sullivan, the "a
nous catcher: Jimmy Burke. Joe Sug
den and Fielder Jones, another Il
gain later fame as q manager, wer
members Of the winning club.
The popularity OF the Athletics II
modern times makes 1t difficult i
realise that when Mack first directe'
, . team there. 1t wa largely regarde
Is an outlaw affair, unlikely TO La
very long. The Philadelphia Nation
alS then had a strong contender 1