Sunday, 24 November 2024

    Connie Mack

    • Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Coaches 2024
    • Embed from Getty Images
    • Sport(s): Baseball
    • Statistics: 5 World Series Championships (1910, 1911, 1913, 1929 & 1930)
      3,731-3,948 Record
      Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
    • There were a lot of ups and downs in the managerial career of Connie Mack, but how could there not be? He managed for over 50 years!

      Mack first managed the Pittsburgh Pirates for three years in the 1890s, and when the American League formed, the ownership of the Philadelphia Athletics came to Mack to manage the team, which he would eventually come to own. Mack had a philosophy, or rather a code of conduct, that he asked each player to adhere to. It consisted of:

      I will always play the game to the best of my ability.
      I will always play to win, but if I lose, I will not look for an excuse to detract from my opponent’s victory.
      I will never take an unfair advantage in order to win.
      I will always abide by the rules of the game – on the diamond as well as in my daily life.
      I will always conduct myself as a true sportsman – on and off the playing field.
      I will always strive for the good of the entire team rather than for my own glory.
      I will never gloat in victory or pity myself in defeat.
      I will do my utmost to keep myself clean – physically, mentally, and morally.
      I will always judge a teammate or an opponent as an individual and never on the basis of race or religion.

      The highly principled Mack would put together a pair of mini-dynasties, winning three World Series in a four-year span (1910, 1911 & 1913) and back-to-back titles in 1929 and 1930. As good as his teams were, he also had horrific teams and often dealt with financial issues, and Mack did not go out on the best of terms, retiring in poor health, but as he was well into his 80s, this was expected.

      Mack has the most wins (and losses) of any manager in baseball, and this is a record that is as safe as Cy Young’s 511 wins.

      We are proud to nominate Connie Mack for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.
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