The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-06-13
CONNIE MACK, 76
 SYMBOLIzES THE. SPIRIT OF GAME.
Athletics Boss Makes Great Hit at COOpers=
 town Celebration
BY GEORGE KIRKSEY limited Press Staff COrreSpOndent

United Press Staff Correspondent)
 New York, June 13. (UP) = Tall and true as a pine tree reach ing up for the heavens, Connie Mack, 76 years young, emerging today from baseball's Tooth anniversary cele- bration as the grandest character in the game.
 As long as there are Connie Macks and others like him around, baseball will continue to hold its place in the heart of the American public - that was the sentiment of the thousands who paid their tribute to the game at Cooperstown, N. r., yesterday.
 With his blue eyes twinkling, MT. Mack typified the spirit of the II living members of the Hall of Fame who attended the tooth birthday party for the game Abner Double day conceived way back there in 1889. He gave himself completely over to the fans and spectators who swarmed about him all day long, asking questions. seeking his auto- graph, batting him on thin erect shoulders. Graciously and smilingly, he complied with all requests.
 T guess signed over 800 auto- graphs" said MT. Mack. Gee, gosh! It was an awful lot, all right. They kept me busy that time when I took team to Japan, but never like this. I'd still be there signing my name if didn't have to get back on the job with the Athletics"
 Even Honus Wagner, the Flying Dutchman", called by many the greatest ball player o fall time, paid tribute to Mack as his inspiration: T don't think I would have en- tered baseball if it hadn't been for Connie Mack. When I was a kid hitched buggy ride to see him catch. I saw him and made up my mind I'd do little ball playing my self"
 All the other immortals-Ty Cobb, the Georgia Peach; Iris Speaker, the Gray Eagle of the outfield; Walter Johnson, the big train of the pitch ing mound: Larry Lajoie, the natural hitter; Eddie Collins, the ball play CTS ball player; George Sisler, who smashed out g. hits in one season; Cy Young, who won 511 games; Grover Cleveland Alexander, with the buggy whip arm; and Babe Ruth, the greatest of all sluggers- paid their respects in their various ways to MT. Mack, who for 38 years has been managing the Athletics and has won nine pennants and five worlds championships.
 MT. Mack stood up under the try ing celebration program as well as the younger fellows. On the six hour train ride back to New York he mingled with the baseball play CTS, writers and officials. with a cool ing lemonade in front of him, he watched a three-handed rummy game fo ran hour. When the train pulled into the station he grabbed his duffle bag and started off with the rest fthe baseball mob just like any rookie pocking his own luggage.
 And tomorrow he'll be back at his regular routine.
 As fitting tribute to his 50 years in the game he'll manage the Ameri- can League club against the Na- tional League in the all-tar game at Yankee Stadium July IT..
 He was spectator along with 10000 others, at the climax game of "The Cavalcade of Baseball' yes- terday which a team managed by Honus Wagner beat team led by Eddie Collins, Az, in seven innings. It was choose up game in which 32 stars of the National and Ameri- can League played together. Babe Ruth went in as a pinch-hitter and popped to the catcher.