Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise., 1935-02-08
FAMOUS BALL
PLAYER COMES
TO POCOMOKE
Ira Thomas, Guest OF Rotary
Club, Will Speak To Boys
Next Monday
WAS FORMER CATCHER
ON PHILADELPHIA TEAM

On Monday evening next, the boys
and young men of Pocomoke City and
vicinity will have an opportunity of
listening to a speaker who has gained
quite a reputation as a worker among
st the youth of the land and who
has magnetic appeal to the younger
generation. He is reported as a fine
talker and has received most favor
able notices wherever he has appear
ed.
This man is Ira Thomas, a former
backstop on Connie Mack's famous
Athletics and who, since his retire
ment from regular playing service.
has been retained by "Connie" as a
SCOUT" that is, a man who travels
the country over, inspects the work of
young ball players, and sends in his
recommendations to the officials of
the club.
Mr.. Thomas has long been associa-
ted with baseball, starting his pro-
fessional career in Hartford, Conn.,,
in the Old Connecticut League, in 1902.
In 1905 he played with Providence in
the International League, which team
won the championship under the coach
ing of Jack Dunn. In 1906-07 he was
with the New York Yankees. In 1908
he was with Detroit, which club won
the Championship for the American
League in that year. In 1909 he
played with the Athletics and caught
such well known pitchers as Jack
Coombs, Chief Bender and Eddie
Plank. In 191O-11-13-14 the Athletics
won the American League Pennant
and the World Championship in 1910
lib. This team perhaps is better
known to baseball fans as the team
having the Million Dollar Infield.
After his active playing days were
over, Mr.. Thomas acted as coach and
also in an advisory capacity to the
Athletic Baseball Club. More recently
he has been serving at a baseball
scout and travels the entire United
States for baseball material for the
Athletic Club.
Mr.. Thomas, since the day he found
a friend who took an interest in him
as struggling lad, has always taken
delight in being helpful to other boys,
whether situated as he was or not. He
has made great study of adolescent
youth, and he has wonderful fund
Of information and advice which he
is eager to impart, specially to the
under-privileged class.
Mr.. Thomas comes to Pocomoke as
guest of the local Rotary Club;
which organization, in cooperation
with the Gulf Refining Company, was
lucky to secure this popular speaker.
On Monday evening next, then, he
will be present at the regular meeting
of the Rotarians, who will, for the
occasion, transfer their dining place
from the Community hall of the Pres
byterian Church to the Cafeteria of
the Pocomoke high school, being SER
we'd there by the Home Economics
Department under the supervision of
Miss Ethel Dix.
After the dinner, the club will ad-
journ to the school auditorium, where
Mr.. Thomas will hold forth. A gen.
eral invitation is extended to all boys
and young men of the city and vic
Unity to be present. Outside of Mr..
Thomas valuable advice which he
gives to youth, he possesses an ap-
peal from the standpoint of being
notable representative of the Nation
al game of baseball, in which sport
there are a very few uninterested
American boys. Connie Mack, whose
correct name is "Mackgillicuddy," is
a by-word with the baseball fan the
world over, whether he be adult or
growing boy. His Athletics have al
ways been favorites on the Shore,
by reason of such members of the
club as Frank Baker, Jimmy Foxx, Cy
Nichols and maybe other Shore boys,
and Mr.. Thomas comes well known
and almost a friend. No doubt he
will receive a cordial welcome and
large turnout of young people.
Remember, the hour is 1880 p. M,
at the auditorium of the High School
on Monday next, February II. There
is no admission fee. Notice the win
dow cards and make arrangements to
be on hand.