Introduction
Connie Mack was the object of many celebrations and tributes during his 50-year reign as manager of the Philadelphia Athletics. One of the more elaborate ceremonies to honor the A’s pilot took place in Philadelphia on May 17, 1941, This article revisits that event—Connie Mack Day—and the festivities which took place to pay tribute to the patriarch of the Athletics team.
Origin of the Celebration
The tribute initially took form in January 1941 when Judge Harry S. McDevitt—a neighbor of Mack’s in Germantown—conceived of it and presented his proposal to Elmer Kilroy, Speaker of the Pennsylvania State House. Kilroy—Mack’s longtime friend—joined the bandwagon and introduced a joint resolution in the legislature to officially declare May 17, 1941 as Connie Mack Day in the state. Backed by the leader of the Democratic Party in Philadelphia, John B. Kelly, the resolution passed unanimously and was signed by Pennsylvania’s Governor, Arthur H. James.
This marked the first time the state had bestowed that particular honor on a sports figure, and the resolution made the tribute for Mack far more than an ordinary celebration at a ballpark.
Civic and Baseball Leaders Attend
The line-up of luminaries in attendance from the world of politics and baseball on Connie Mack Day was quite impressive. Among those present were: Samuel L. Lewis, Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, who represented the governor; R.C. Bacon, Governor of Delaware; Robert E. Lamberton, Mayor of Philadelphia; Jimmy Dykes, manager of the Chicago White Sox; Joe McCarthy, skipper of the New York Yankees; Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, Commissioner of Baseball; Will Harridge, President of the American League; Clark Griffith, President of the Washington Senators; Walter O. Briggs, President of the Detroit Tigers; Gerald P. Nugent, President of the Philadelphia Phillies; William E. Benswanger, President of the Pittsburgh Pirates; Robert Quinn, President of the Boston Braves; Judge McDevitt, John B. Kelly, and Elmer Kilroy.
From the world of entertainment, the noted songwriter and performer, George M. Cohan, was on hand to unveil a song he had composed to commemorate the A’s manager.
Many players who once toiled for Mack were also on hand including Amos Strunk, Rube Walberg, Lefty Grove, Harry Davis, Ed Rommel, and Rube Oldring.
The Program
As it appeared on the front page of one of Philadelphia’s major newspapers, The Evening Bulletin, the schedule of activities for Connie Mack Day was as follows:
12 noon – Mayor’s Office Reception to Connie Mack at City Hall
1:25 PM – Arrival of Connie Mack and dignitaries at Shibe Park
1:30 PM – Music by the Philadelphia Police Band
2:15 PM – Exercises by American Legion Corps and Houston Post
2:30 PM – Introduction of Elmer Kilroy by Babe O’Rourke
2:33 PM – Boy Scouts present Mack with a plaque
2:35 PM – Kilroy introduces distinguished guests present
2:42 PM – Jack Kelly introduces George M. Cohan
2:45 PM – Cohan sings his new song accompanied by Kelly Street Singers, orchestra and band
2:52 PM – Judge McDevitt presents Citizen’s Committee platter to Mack
2:55 PM – Mack acknowledges
2:59 PM – “Star Spangled Banner” by Police Band
3:00 PM – A’s vs. Detroit
The Ceremonies
The ceremonies began at noon when Mack, accompanied by several players from his own Athletics and the Detroit team, was presented by Kilroy to Mayor Lamberton. The mayor paid a glowing tribute to the A’s manager:
Philadelphia is proud of you not only because of the games you have won and the championships you have brought to the city, but as a man, and one of our leading citizens. We all love and admire you and hope to see you here ten years from now.
Following a reception in the mayor’s office, a motorcade carrying Mack and other dignitaries drove up Broad Street to Lehigh Avenue and over to Shibe Park.
Ceremonies continued at the ballpark, highlighted by a table heaped with gifts from those wishing to express their appreciation to Mack. The most notable of these included:
A large silver tray with the inscription: “To Connie Mack, American Patriot of Clean Sports,” with the date and “From the Citizens of Philadelphia”
A wristwatch presented by the umpires of the American League
A golden baseball atop an onyx writing set from other American League club owners
An overnight Gladstone bag from members of the Athletics team
A framed certificate of honorary membership in the American Legion
A framed certificate of honorary membership in the American Legion
Cohan Steps to the Microphone
Backed by the police band and a chorus to join in singing the refrain, George M. Cohan performed the song he had composed to Connie Mack, The Grand Old Man of the National Game. A typical composition by Cohan with lots of patriotic lift and swing, the opening lines went like this:
The grand old man of the National game And every fan of the National game Has a feeling of pride for Connie There are cheers far and wide for Connie The U.S.A. all rooting for him The big brass bands all tooting for him Today in baseball’s Hall of Fame Connie Mack is a grand old name
Mack Speaks
As the program drew to a close, the A’s manager was given a chance to express his thoughts about the tribute. Typically reticent on such occasions, Mack again proved to be a man of few words. He stated:
Thank you, thank you all. I sincerely hope in the near future that I can return this great kindness to me. I want to thank Governor James, the Legislators, my friends Elmer Kilroy, John McDevitt, and John Kelly for making this day so very happy and great for me. And to you fans, you loyal supporters of our club, win or lose. I want to express my thanks for helping me make baseball what it is to me—my life.
After the National Anthem was played, A’s players Sam Chapman and Chubby Dean lifted Mack onto their shoulders at home plate and carried him to the dugout to start the game. Unfortunately, the Athletics lost to the Tigers, 8-5.
The only other disappointing note of the day was the size of the crowd at Shibe Park. Although officials expected a capacity crowd, intermittent showers during the day kept the crowd to 15,000. Fortunately, the sun came out to shine during the ceremony.
An Event that Didn’t Happen
A feature of the planned celebration was to formally change the name of Shibe Park to Connie Mack Stadium. Indeed, a plaque bearing the name, “Connie Mack Stadium,” was placed at the main entrance at 21st Street and Lehigh Avenue. The plaque was covered, and plans called for it to be unveiled during the ceremony.
However, Mack indicated that he did not wish to have the ballpark’s name changed. He opposed the move out of respect for his late partners in promoting the Athletics, Thomas S. and John D. Shibe, and their father Benjamin. In deference to this request, the plaque was removed, and it remained as Shibe Park until 1953 when it was renamed Connie Mack Stadium as one of the final tributes to The Grand Old Man of the National Game.
President FDR Congratulates Connie Mack
The original letter is on display at the Society’s Museum, compliments of Ruth Mack Clark.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 19, 1941
Dear Connie Mack:
As an old friend and sincere admirer I want to join, even though belatedly, the legion of devoted followers who have been paying tribute to you. As sportsman and as citizen you richly deserve the honors that are heaped upon you and I gladly join in the accolade of felicitations and good wishes.
Very sincerely yours,
Franklin D. Roosevelt
