The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-09-18

COMM MACK
@HIs SO YEARS m BAsEBALt:NSIsss:aAesSSsS; a. a..
THE RISE TO LEADERSHIP


The man whose greatest fame In
years to come was to be as a manager
and tactical genius turned down his
first chance to become the leader 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 Jump
ing to the Players league, formed by
the Brotherhood Of players union III
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 a strike" and accepted
what was then the munificent salary
Of $500 to join the Pittsburgh club,
owned by w. w. Kerr.
If they had only known 1t at the
time" Mack related, "the National
league club owners could have per-
suaded me ind most of the others to
sign for much less money.
1.-THE Brotherhood was on its last
legs and we knew it. We would have
been looking for jobs in another sea-
son and Pittsburgh's big offer came
as a surprise. It was the biggest
salary I had ever been paid and, as 1t
turned out, too good to last"
The National league through the
years of 1891-92-93 experienced a
marked depression. Gate receipts
dwindled. Frank q. Selee's Boston
team, featuring Herman Long. John
Camel, Charles Bennett, Mike Kelly,
Hugh Duffy, John Clarkson and other
stars was q great attraction as cham
pion in these three years but general
interest was at low ebb.
Pittsburgh felt the slump and with
q club finishing last IN 1891 was
forced to cut salaries. The players
were told $2,4O0 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 po-
sition in 1893.
Prospects were bright when the 1894
season opened for the Pirates, under
the management of al G. Buckenberg-
er. Business was picking up. The
club made q good start but slumped.
and by mid-season was out Of the
running.
One day the Mack. now 80 and q
seasoned veteran Of 10 years profess
sional baseball, was suddenly called
into the club presidents office for q
conference.
81 was never more surprised in my
life when I was told the club wanted
me to try my hand as manager"
Mack said. "Buckenberger was one
Of my best friends. I felt he wal not
to blame for the poor showing Of the
team, explained the situation as I
saw it and urged the manager be
| given further opportunity. It was
agreed to.
1--WE made no progress, however.
and along late in August I was called
in again. This time, however, I was
told Buckenberger had been relieved
of his duties. I was asked to take
charge. I felt 1t was then worth try
ing, and accepted"
l. It would add drama to Mack's life
story to relate that he YVES an imme-
date success, but the fact Is that he
set no worlds on fire whatever upon
assuming his first major league COM
mand.
The Pirates under his leadership
finished seventh in 1894 and 1895,
sixth in 1896. However, he had the
team hustling and in 1896 it vas up
fighting for the lead when . success
sion Of accidents-stin q sink" for
Pittsburgh clubs-put the club out Of
the running.
One Of the strokes Of misfortune
that year was q broken leg suffered
by the manager. Mack finished d.
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
onstrating their prowess as n Of the
greatest teams of all time and devel-
oping q group of stars whose Influence
was to be felt for many years.
Among them was John McGraw, 9
rival Of Mack's for worlds cham.
pionship honors in 1905-11-13;
Hughey Jennings, whose Detroit clut
was q bitter foe Of the Athletics 8