The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-05-18

Now Joe Jackson Is in business here, where, Button Gwinnett was in business once, too, and where the bloodiest battle of the Revo- lution was fought. Old "Shoeless'' Joe is president of the Savannah Valet Service, with two shops con- cerned with the cleaning and pressing of pants, etc. He has two delivery trucks, two passenger cars, 3 wife, a bulldog and many mem- ories.
 White Sox Photo
 A huge picture of the White Sox of 1919, the Sox that turned black in the world series that year, hangs over the counter in the main office. There is an adding machine on the counter, but Joe says he doesn't bother with that. Now and then he strolls over next door to the poolroom where he watches the games. He was in the poolroom when found him.
 1919 Team Best Ever
 "I could lead either one of the big leagues to-day" he said, after we had some preliminary conver- sation about the difference between batting then and now.
 "A couple of years ago, playing down here at Waycross, I hit .535 in 100 games. Last year in an ex- hibition game was up twice and got 8 single and 8 home run"
 Did he still feel the same way about his suspension from or- ganized ball?
 T asked to be suspended before the world series of 1919. didn't want to play after I heard what was going on. But I had to play. And I did play. Look at the rec ords I made in that series. Look at Buck Viewers, too, and you don't need any more proof that we played"
 Was the White Sox team of 1919 the best that ever played ball?
 Tt was, unless you like the old Athletics betetr. I don't know but what we had more power. Then we had Eddie Collins. too. He was the smartest man that ever walked on a ball field. Eddie did our thinking for us. He figured out what was going to happen before it happened.
 "Once he told me to play over on the left field foul line for Babe Ruth. I asked him why. I could move 10 feet. you know, after a ball and I couldn't figure why Ed die wanted me to go over so far. But Eddie said Babe was going to hit over third base that day, and he wanted me to be al lset. I stood almost on the foul line. Babe hit a smash right into my hands that would have busted up the ball game"
 Walter Johnson the Ace
 Who was the best pitcher he ever faced in the big leagues?
 You know yourself-Walter Johnson. The only way you could hit him was to poke the ball. I used to wait for his curve. Used to kid him by standing up straight with the bat leaning against my hip.
 But don't see how he could be as fast as that side arm hop of Wal ter's. Besides, a left-hander is easy to hit. never could figure why left-handed batters always com- plained that they couldn't hit left handed pitchers. All the left handlers I ever saw were suckers. You could tell every time when curve was coming and when you were going to get one down the alley"
 What did a batter need most?
 Just nerve. I used to laugh at the pitchers and it would make them mad. Once Huggins told Waite Hout to walk me. and I kidded Hoyt. He lost his temper and threw one that just grazed my ankles. I hit it into the stands. I used to get Coveleskie crazy I said, Just throw that ball any, where near me, Pollock, and they will have to pick 1t out of your. throat!'
 "I had an edge on pitchers be- cause they knew I thought they were all suckers. And I used to keep 'em guessing. I changed my stance at the plate three times the first three years was in the big leagues.
 Say, if you ever see Tommy Connolly give him my regards. And tell him 1 didn't catch that ball in 1920"
 What ball didn't you catch in 1920?
 Well, we were playing the Yam kees 8 pretty important series in Chicago. The crowd was roped off on the field. Babe Ruth kissed one into the crowd and I jumped in after it. Connolly called Ruth out. I never touched the ball."
 Origin of Nickname
 How about that nickname Shoe less"?
 That was in the Carolina Asso- ciation. was pitching and my shoes didn't fit. had to take 'em off and play in my stocking feet Hit home run inside the park and I was coming around third some fan hollered, Run, you shoeless hyena' was 'Shoeless' ever since"
 Just then one of the drivers for the Savannah Valet Service came in to be checked out for the day. The girl at the desk called Joe to watch the checking. The interview was adjourned.