Muggsy McGraw, once upon a time when the American League was in its infancy, made the now famous remark that Messrs. Shibe and Mack had a White Elephant on their hands in taking hold of the Athletics in this city.
Look around Shibe Park today. Think of the wonderful success the Athletics have had since being a Philadelphia concern and the vast amount of money spent to build these grounds. Then ponder over the question if you would like to have a similar animal on your hands.
White Elephants are generally hard to find, that is the proper kind such as Messrs. Shibe and Mack have, and then when once in your possession generally much harder to keep alive in captivity. McGraw perhaps meant well enough for the other fellows and himself in particular when he sprung that white Elephant gag but that he was not “wise” to what the people of Philadelphia really wanted has been amply demonstrated ever since the Athletics have been with us.
When McGraw started that White Elephant “joke” way back in the war days he was paving a way for the Athletics to seize on a motto and trade-mark that is to-day recognized as one of the very best titles for a ball club to have. And Messrs. Shibe and Mack are duly thankful for McGraw’s little timely “gag.”
McGraw, however, never meant that expression to be taken as a joke. Muggsy was exceedingly bitter against the American League, Ban Johnson and other league officials those days and it was not said in any spirit of good feeling that the name of White Elephant was plastered on the Athletics.
McGraw felt sure that invading Philadelphia against the strong National League club that Messrs. Shibe and Mack had bitten off entirely too much for chewing matter and that the Athletics would be but a matter of a few weeks before they would disappear a la Union League. He had it “doped” out all right according to his logic and when he passed the remark that the Philadelphia promoters had a nice large and juicy extravagant White Elephant on their hands he was sincere in the belief that the Athletics were sure to go to the wall.
But since that magic name was fitted to the Athletics it not only helped out the local writers in hunting around for a proper nickname for the Americans but as well as spelled success, wonderful success, both financially and otherwise, far greater than any base ball magnate ever dreamed of.
The Athletics battled a way through dark and dismal times when they started back in 1901 and until that magic White Elephant title appeared to brighten things up it was rough going for the Americans. But once seizing on that title as a suitable nickname things began to look better and gradually the Athletics in leaps and bounds went to the top of the American League with that White Elephant flag flying in their teeth, an emblem of success and glory.
The White Elephant cry was quickly grasped by every true born rooter as the war shout and in many a sensational game since the old blue and white elephant flag which graced the side arm of the big flag pole at Twenty-ninth Street and Columbia Avenue has waved triumphantly over the opposition.
It’s a well-understood fact that to keep an elephant requires plenty of hay and particular attention. But with such able keepers as “Uncle Ben” Shibe and Connie Mack the elephant which was passed on to the Athletics by McGraw, has grown to such a size that he required larger and finer quarters in which to exercise. With to-days game the elephant which was so tenderly cared for at Columbia Park will now boast of having the finest quarters in the world in having Shibe Park to roam over.
White Elephants may come and go, but it’s doubtful if any circus promoter ever possessed the kind of animal which brought them in the same amount of revenue as the one the Athletics have in captivity.
Back up, you Bolivar! May your life be one long continuous success of glory and gold at Shibe Park.
A’s Society Note:
In 1909 Shibe Park was built at a cost of $315,246.69. During their 45 year stay at Shibe Park 1909-1954 the White Elephants captured Seven (7) American League pennants, 1910, 1911, 1913, 1914, 1929, 1930, and 1931. They won the World Series championship 5 times 1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, and 1930. Prior to the move to Shibe Park in 1909, the A’s won their first two American League pennants.1902 the year before the first World Series (1903 ) and again in 1905 only to lose to John McGraw of “White Elephant ” fame and his New York Giants in 5 games. Six years later Connie Mack’s A’s would get their revenge against McGraw’s Giants by defeating them twice in the World Series of 1911 & 1913. It would be another 16 years before Connie Mack’s Athletics would be crowned World Series Champions.
