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Baseball writers at mid-century asked Connie Mack to select players from each position to form his all-time team. Mack seemed like the perfect man for the job – his 11-year National League playing career started in 1886 then he managed from 1894-1950. He had literally seen it all.

Carstairs Whiskey, which was heavily advertised toward women decided to attract more men by creating an advertisement that included baseball. In the 1940s with the help of sportswriters and advisors, an all-time team was constructed then given Mack’s stamp of approval. Carstairs then produced banners that could be hung in liquor stores or in a den.

In the collection is this handwritten letter written and signed by Connie Mack. The letter is to Jack Lang who at the time was seven years into his career that would span more than a half century as a baseball writer. So respected was Lang that he ascended to the role of secretary-treasurer of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, a position he held from 1966 until 1988. In that capacity, Lang was responsible for tallying the writers’ votes for elections to the Hall of Fame and calling players who were elected. In all, he called 44 players spanning from Red Ruffing to Willie Stargell.

Mack writes to Lang about the Whiskey company all-time team to clarify. “…I did not pick (Pie) Traynor and George Sisler. The sport writers picked the team that you wrote…I did pick George Sisler at one time. I never have picked Traynor at third. I was in favor of Corcoran who was a Buffalo man.”

The letter is written by the 90-year old Mack in his final year of ownership of the Philadelphia Athletics on beautiful team letterhead of the era.

 

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Connnie Mack and Jimmie Foxx spent eleven seasons together in Philadelphia with the Athletics. In this photo the two share a conversation outside of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. During their time together, the Athletics won 90 or more games six times in a season, capping it off with three AL championships and two World Series Titles. This photo, signed by Mack mirrors the next photo signed by Foxx.

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This example is signed by Double-X, Jimmie Foxx who appears to have a cigar in his hand for the occasion. Foxx enjoyed his greatest success while playing for Mack and the Philadelphia Athletics. During the 11-year run which included 8 years of 100 or more games, Foxx his .339 with 302 homers and 1,075 runs batted in. The Beast also won two consecutive American League Most Valuable Player Awards in 1932 and 1933, the latter coming in a Triple Crown season.

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Connie Mack began his managerial career in 1894. By the time he retired in 1950, his teams had won nine pennants and five World Series championships. Mack responds to another autograph collector in this undated note, apparently written after the conclusion of a baseball season. “Boys are all away – will have to wait until next Spring for autographs, Mack”. At least the collector received this note from Mack which has survived through the decades.

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An outstanding outfielder from 1929-1948, Roger “Doc” Cramer played his first seven big league seasons under the watchful eye of Connie Mack with the Philadelphia Athletics. During his time with the Athletics, Cramer hit .308 and led the league in at bats in each of his three seasons as a regular in Philadelphia. Here Cramer writes about the manager with the most wins in Major League Baseball history.

The handwritten letter reads, “Mr. Mack was probably the best manager baseball has ever had and also a great person. Like a father to all of us who played for him. I don’t have the words to tell what a great manager and great man he was to me. Sincerely, Roger M. Cramer”

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Dick Adams enjoyed an 11-year career as a professional baseball player. Connie Mack was Adams’ skipper when the outfielder debuted with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1947. By that time Mack was 84 years old, in his 50th year as a manager, and according to Adams in the above questionnaire “a nice gentleman past his prime as a baseball mgr.” Adams goes on to write that Mack didn’t know Adams and other players even after spending all of Spring Training and the first road trip with them.

Adams says that Hall of Fame outfielder Al Simmons, then 45 years old, was the one doing most of the managing. “If it wasn’t for Al, it would’ve really been a catastrophe.” The season was the first season since 1933 that Mack guided the Athletics to more wins than losses.

Adams filled out the questionnaire a month shy of his 96th birthday and six months before his death.