"Humanity is the keystone that holds nations and men together. When that collapses, the whole structure crumbles. This is as true of baseball teams as any other pursuit in life." ~ Connie Mack
Born on this day in East Brookfield, Massachusetts, Cornelius Alexander Mack (1862-1956) was the son of Irish immigrants. The popular right-hander became the star catcher for the Washington Senators and Pittsburgh Pirates (1886-1894).
"You can’t win any game unless you are ready to win," he once said.
Called the "Tall Tactician," he is best known for his 50-year reign as the legendary owner-manager of the Philadelphia Athletics. Mack wore street clothes on the bench and directed his players with a wave of his score card.
"You can't win them all," he believed.
As leader in the early days of the American League, the shrewd businessman built his famous $100,000 Infield (Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Grove, Al Simmons, and Rube Waddell) around pitching and defense. The A's Dynasty won nine pennants and five World Series.
"I guess more players lick themselves that are ever licked by an opposing team. The first thing any man has to know is how to handle himself," said Mack who was named to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937.
More BASEBALL Quotations
In all things, honor your humanity.