Prior to Wagner....Connie Mack & Eddie Plank were the anti-Tobacco BB guys

[tedzan]

Opening Day of Shibe Park on April 12, 1909 was a grand occasion. This brand new stadium (later re-named Connie Mack Stadium) boasted the
largest seating capacity of that time.
A capacity crowd of 30,000 fans packed Shibe that day....and, cheered their A's as Eddie Plank coasted to an 8-1 victory. Doc Powers caught
the game, as he had caught 205 of 282 games that Plank pitched since 1901. Eddie Plank preferred Doc as his battery mate.
In the 7th inning, Doc felt a sharp pain in his gut, but continued playing. Upon entering the clubhouse at the end of the game, he collapsed. At
the hospital, Doc's ailment was diagnosed as a severe intestinal blockage. Two weeks later he passed away. Like most of Connie Mack's players,
Powers was a College graduate (Holy Cross). He also attended Notre Dame Univ. He lived in Louisville, KY (hometown of his wife, Florence, and
their three daughters).





TED Z

[Leon]

Had to revive this thread as I came across this rare Stevens Firearms "smoking" version of Connie Mack ....oh the irony!!

[tedzan]

......did you draw that cigarette in his mouth

Someone back about 100 years ago did. I have two very reliable sources that contradict that picture.....

First, an excellent, well-researched, and well written Biography of Connie Mack (by Norman Macht).

And, my interesting conversation with Connie Mack's Grandson, former Florida Senator Connie Mack III.
I met him at the Philadelphia A's Historical Soceity banquet 11 years ago. In the course of our lengthy
conversation, we talked about baseball, politics, and his Granfather.....including his Grandfather's card
collecting interests and the fact that he did NOT endorse or partake of any form of Tobacco.





Connie Mack III signed my A's Golden Jubilee program.



TED Z

[Leon]

Hi Ted
No doubt Connie didn't like tobacco. It is only meant as a joke and no, I didn't draw the cigarette in his mouth. I can't draw that well!! I was just going through some scans today and thought it was funny especially given this recent thread. (which is very good btw)...see ya in a few days!!