New Britain herald., 1930-09-18

NO. 4-Inc IllSc 10 LcduerSH1p
 The man whose greatest fame in years 10 come was to bo as a man. ager and tactical genius turned down his first chance to become the lead CT of a major league baseball club.
 After nearly four seasons with the Washington Nationals, from late in 1886 through 1889, Connie Mack for sock "organized baseball" for the one and only time in his career by jumping to the Players league, formed by the Brotherhood or play CTS union in 1890.
 This outlaw venture lasted only one season. Mack was among the stars most sought after by National league magnates, eager to break what amounted to strike" and accepted what was then the muni1- cent salary of $500 to join the Pittsburgh club, owned by W. w. Kerr.
 If they had only known it at the time,' Mack related, "the National league club owners could have per suaded me and most of the others to sign for much less money.
 "The Brotherhood was on it's last legs and we knew it. We would have been looking for jobs in another sea- son and Pittsburghs big offer came as a surprise. It was the biggest salary l had ever been paid and, as it turned out too good to last'
 The National league through the years of 1S91-92-93 experienced a marked depression. Gate receipts dwindled. Frank G. Selee's Boston team, featuring Herman Long, John Ganzel, Charles Bennett, Mike Kelly, Hugh Duffy, John Clarkson and other stars was a great attraction as champion in these three years but general interest was at low ebb.
 Pittsburgh felt the slump and with a club finishing last in 1891 was forced to cut salaries. The players were told S2,AOO was the limit and all of them accepted. The team with Mack, as first string catcher, rose to sixth place in 1892 and to second position in 1893.
 Prospects were bright when the 1894 season opened for the Pirates, under the management of Al C. Buckenberger. Business was picking up. The club made a good start but slumped, and by mid-season was out of the running.
 One day the Mack, now 32 and seasoned veteran of ten years pro- feSsional baseball, was suddenly call ed into the club presidents office for a conference.
 T was never more surprised in my life when I was told the club wanted me to try my hand as man. ager,' Mack said. "Buckenberger was one of my best friends. I felt he was not to blame for the poor showing of the team, explained the situation as I saw it and urged the manager be given further oppor- tunity. It was agreed to.
 We made no progress, however, and along late in August I was call ed in again. This time. however, I was told Buckenberser had been re- lieved of his duties. I was asked to take charge. l felt it was then worth trying, and accepted"
 It would add drama to Mack's life story to relate that he was an i'm mediate success. but the fact is that he set no worlds on fire whatever upon assuming his first major league command.
 The Pirates under his leadership finished seventh in 1894 and 1895, sixth in 1896. However he had the team hustling and in 1896 it was up fighting for the lead when a success sion of accidents-still a "iinx" for Pittsburgh clubs-put the club out of the running.
 One of the strikes of misfortune that year was a broken leg suffered by the manager. Mack finished di- recting his team from the bench, where in later years he chose to re- main.
 While Mack was struggling with his first managerial job. the Balti- more Orioles rose to the top, dem onstratlng their prowess as one of the greatest teams of all time and developing a group of stars whose influence was to be felt for many years.
 Among them was John McGraw, a rival of Mack's for world champion ship honors in 19O4-11-13; Hughey Jennings, whose Detroit club was a bitter foe of the Athletics a decade later; Wilbert Robinson, later the picturesque pilot of Brooklyn's Trol- ley Dodgers; William (Kid) Gleason, another to gain fame as a manager