 Connie
Mack’s First Book
By Bob Warrington
Most Philadelphia A’s fans are aware of two books
“authored” by Connie Mack late in his life—“My 66 Years in the Big
Leagues” and “Connie Mack’s Baseball Book.” I put quotation marks
around the word “authored” because it is generally believed that
the books were ghost-written, perhaps by Richard S. (Dick) Armstrong,
the A’s Director of Public Relations when the books were published
in 1950. Mack offered reminiscences for the book, but somebody else
probably provided the words.
Less well known is a book written by Connie Mack
that was published in 1903 in Philadelphia by Drexel Biddle Press,
“How to Play Baseball.” According to the preface, “The present book
is designed to cover not only the way to play baseball and how different
positions should be filled, but to offer suggestions as to the proper
methods of training and practice.”
The 169-page book contains far more than basic
instructions on playing the game of baseball. It provides insights
into Mack’s managerial philosophy at an early point in his career,
and it offers his commentary on other issues pertaining to the state
of baseball as it existed at the dawn of the 20th century. Unlike
the 1950 books, Mack’s 1903 book probably represents his words as
well as his thinking.
Clearly, one purpose of the book was to publicize
the American League’s (AL’s) newly-won recognition as a major league
circuit. When the AL was formed in 1901 and proclaimed its major
league status, the National League (NL)—the existing major league—refused
to recognize the claim. A highly destructive “war” ensued between
the two leagues as the AL sought to demonstrate its credibility
by raiding players off the rosters of NL teams, and the NL attempted
to prevent established players from joining the upstart league.
The NL, weary of the fight, losing money, and
aghast at the number of NL players lost to the siren’s call of fatter
paychecks in the AL, sought a “peace agreement” to end the “war.”
A National Agreement was concluded in January 1903, in which the
NL acknowledged the major league status of the AL. In his book,
published on the heels of that agreement, Mack gleefully describes
the conditions under which “the once haughty NL petitioned (Ban)
Johnson (the AL President) to end the base-ball war.” A highly-laudatory
biographic sketch of Johnson can also be found at the beginning
of the text.
The 1903 publication of the book was also intended
to capitalize on the Athletics’ AL championship in the 1902 baseball
season. Mack’s talents as a baseball manager were applauded following
the A’s success given the particularly adverse circumstances the
team faced during the 1902 season. The City of Philadelphia and
its citizens rejoiced at the A’s triumph. An enormous parade was
held in their honor in downtown Philadelphia with over 350 clubs
and organizations sending bands and marchers to participate. Consequently,
it’s not surprising that a publisher based in Philadelphia would
regard a book authored by Mack on how to play baseball as a highly
marketable commodity. Mack is pictured opposite the title page with
the caption, “Connie Mack, The popular manager of the Athletics
(A.L.) Club. Champions for the season of 1902.” By contrast, the
Philadelphia Phillies, who had been in existence for almost 20 years,
were still looking for their first NL pennant.
In terms of his managerial philosophy, Mack asserts
in the book that the most important attribute of any good baseball
player is his brain. While Mack acknowledges that strength and speed
are important, “they must be controlled by a superior power, which
is the brain.” He praises college men who “by the use of their head,
rather than strength or speed, are successful.” Mack employed this
approach in recruiting college-educated men for his 1902 AL championship
team. He was not averse, however, to securing the talents of dim-witted
roustabouts if he thought they could help his team win. A look at
the 1902 A’s roster finds men with college degrees and those without
high school diplomas. His skill at blending different personalities
into winning teams, motivating players to give their all for the
club, and using talent to its greatest effect on the diamond were
just some of the signs of the unmistakable genius Mack brought to
the game of baseball.
However, in describing how to play certain positions,
it’s clear Mack’s thoughts are based on how baseball was played
in the fast-fading 19th century rather than how it was evolving
in the newly-emerging 20th century. In describing how to play the
catcher’s position, Mack, a former catcher himself, recommends,
“When a catcher takes his position the body should be well bent
forward from the hips so as to enable the player to handle the ball
at any height. Crouching to the ground should be avoided. As a player
who insists on so doing will never become a first-class catcher.”
In the 19th century, catchers like Mack bent over at the hips and
stood well behind the batter. As the 20th century progressed, catchers
quickly came to play the position—a crouched stance closely behind
the batter—in exactly the way that Mack opposed.
Two other segments of the book are worth mentioning.
George Edward “Rube” Waddell contributed a chapter on “The Art of
Pitching.” Waddell had an incredible 1902 season, notching a 24-7
record, 210 strikeouts. and a 2.05 ERA despite not having joined
the team until June. In his chapter, Waddell attributes his success
to his mastery of different pitches. He names his best pitch as
a “fast inshoot” and advises pitchers to use the “curve ball” sparingly
to avoid arm trouble. Barely literate, it’s highly doubtful Waddell
actually composed the chapter on pitching, and instead relied on
someone else to turn his thoughts into written prose.
Second, a lengthy chapter on “The History of Baseball”
through 1902 can be found in the book, as can numerous photos of
baseball players and officials from the era. Mack generously includes
numerous Phillies’ photos in the book, which may have been intended
by the publisher to expand the book’s appeal to that team’s fans.
In addition, players from the 1902 AL champion Athletics and 1883
American Association champion Athletics are also pictured. The chapter
traces the origins of the game from before the Civil War and looks
at the famous teams and various leagues that represented the sport
in the mid-to-late 19th century. Noteworthy personalities—both players
and officials—are mentioned. The chapter contains lots of interesting
historical tidbits.
Connie Mack’s “How to Play Baseball” is rarely
found today, and obtaining a copy will be difficult. It’s not clear
how many copies were published initially. There is no evidence to
indicate that subsequent editions of the book were produced or if
it was republished at a later date. Nevertheless, the book is well
worth having for those with an interest in the history of baseball,
the Philadelphia Athletics, or the legendary career of Connie Mack.
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