Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-27
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DRAW By FRANCIS s7Auu
Bio AI-Connie's Fondest Star


CONNIE MACK, gentle SOUL probably was fonder Of
AL Simmons who died yesterday in Milwaukee, than any
his other great stars To many people Simmons wiul
boastful man, but to Connie he big kid who
superb baseball player and knew it.
There times when Connie Scolded the Pole from
Milwaukee, and if small boy chded by his
father Before the opening game of the 1929 World
between the Philadelphia Athletics and Chicago Cubs, for
instance, AL sounded off when Mack nominated Howard
Ehmke as his pitcher.
Ehmke, who had arm and was not even with the
AS for month, pitcher compared with Lefty
Grove and George Earnshaw and when Simmons Connie
nod to the tall rghthander paused in his game catch
on the sdelineS and exploded.
what? You're pitching himP"
Years later Simmons, recalling the Incident, as
close to blushng he did in his life. Mister
called me to the dugout" he related "and in low. quiet
voice he said:
"Mister Simmons get the impression that you do not
approve. also under the impression that the
manager"
What did you say2" Al asked.
what could say except, I'm sorry, Mister Mack And
ne was right of course Ehmke not only won you know
but he struck out 10 Chicago hitters."
1T is JUST POSSIBLE Macks fondness for Aoysus
Harry Simmons born SzymanSk Stemmed from the fact that
AL got Mack off the hook in the spring of 1924 when the
Athletics reported for training at Montgomery, Ala.
OF the strength of 800 average in the Texas League
garnShed by 1898 mark during late-seaSon trial with
Milwaukee, Simmons bought by the AS for $25 00
he wasn't the important rookie in camp That PAU
Strand for whom Mack the Shbe brothers paid $4,000
considered almost Enthusiastically high in those days.
1t developed that Strand owed most Of his fabulous
batting feas in Salt Lake City rared atmosphere
Pitchers couldn't throw good and the fly balls
to outer Strand complete flop with the AS last
ing less than half season in the majors.
What attention Simmons drew at first largely due to
his foot-n-the stance When he strobe to meet
pitch he moved his left foot toward third base not in
direction of the pitch This popularity supposed
flaw that could spell only failure Simmons blasted it
petey you could hit like AoyuS you could put one foot
in your back pocket.
THAT FIRST YEAR, 1924, Simmons was a 1903 hitter
This was considered adequate for rookie but unlike today
not especially impressive with 102 batted in
starting in u.s. when he hit 1885, he superhtter his
home total topped &c. Simmons nevertheless was
one of the atme clutch batters He drove
as l65 runs season and almost never in his heyday did he
fail to top 100 by wide margins
AIS lifetime average 1884, 1t could have been higher
II Simmons had retired earlier as an active player but the
wanted to stay in baseball every employed
him lost interest when his bat lost some authority.
Every club White sox Tigers. Senator'S Braves Reds
and Red Sox except one Connie Mack took Simmons
back coach in 1945-1949 Simmons bitter until
Connie gave him break Some of the club who
so anxious to have him swing bat in his behalf tepd
or worse when AL knowing his playing days numbered
sought managerial or coaching job
HE IS MEMBER of the Hall of Fame naturally and as
shnngly bright his lifetime record might have been
brighter AL told Arthur Daley others
while ne was porn IN original
ambition was to break into ball with Toledo then
aged by Roger Bresnahan the old Giant.
Il wrote BreSnahan, asking for tryou" AL disclosed
Never got answer Finally got chance with Milwaukee
But If I'd have got shot with Toledo there's telling
What AL meant that he had counted BresnahanS
paving the for job with the Giants and it is wonder
what Simmons might have done if he up the
spring OF "a at barely voting and played for the Giants
in the Polo Grounds
Foot-in-the- bucket not, Simmons could hit to all
fields For distance too He hit BOT home runs during his
which did not embrace single fling in the Polo
Grounds There those who think that Simmons had
started Giant he might have knocked 500. And the
Giantswho only pennant between 1924 and 1886
might have won five or six additional ones.
ut would have been rather frightening thing" Tom
Meany wrote in Basebas Greatest Hitters pitcher
have had Mel Off, Bill Terry and AL Simmons in the
batting order-and in the Polo Grounds!"
OF COURSE, 1T NEVER happened. Simmons played with
number of clubs, but the Giants In Shbe
Philadelphia 1t far difficult to homer than in
Polo Grounds but As batting record needs apologies
He played parts in many notable victories that it is
difficult to remember all and impossible to list part
them But two anyway stand out The first in the fourth
game of the 29 World Series with the Cubs.
The National Leaguers out in 'front.' 80 in bic
to square the Series at twoa 1t looked like certain victory
for the Cubs who had Charley Root pitching but then
roof fell n Simmons eado hitter in the AS seventh hit
home Before the side retired Mack great team
scored 10 most in World Series inning Simmons
who singled in his second appearance of the inning
scored the ninth and what proved to be the tying
But as fancful ending that was, 1t didn't tor
another finish in regular American League game in which
Al played big part On June 49, 1925 Philadelphia lead
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