Where was Joe Jax those early years (1908-10) ?

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Posted By: Pennsylvania Ted

In 1908 Connie Mack signed a promising 20-yr old prospect, Joe Jackson....he played in only 5 games with the A's and batted .130.

So, he was sent down to Greenville, a AA team in the Carolina Association. He played in 87 games and hit .346

1908 Greenville Team photo from which AMERICAN CARAMEL most likely used, to design his "strange looking" Rookie card in their E90-1 set.








In 1909 the A's gave Joe Jax another chance; however, he lasted for only 5 games in Philadelphia. He batted .294.....but, he just did
not "fit" with Mack's team....both the crowds in the stands and even some of his teammates, harassed him for his "backwoods" style
of playing the game. So, he was sent down to Savannah (South Atlantic League), where he batted .358 in 118 games.




On July 25, 1910 there was one of the worst player trades in all of BB history. The A's sent Joe Jax to the Cleveland Naps for Bris Lord.
I guess Connie Mack thought with his Championship winning team, and the fact that Joe Jax just wasn't fitting in the Philadelphia scene.....
this trade in 1910 was a smart deal. Connie Mack had a great eye for talent....but, he certainly was wrong on this one.
Shoeless Joe batted .387 for Cleveland in 20 games. He spent most of 1910 with New Orleans (the Champions of the Southern Association).




Consider this guys and gals....had Joe "cottoned-up" to Connie Mack (and those fickle Philly fans) and had been one of Mack's "favorites";
Joe would have avoided "Comiskey and Co."....and perhaps, be an even more renowned HOFer than Cobb.

Let's have your thoughts on this subject....pictures....or cards ?


TED Z