CONNIE MACK

Today's closing of the Oakland Athletics Stadium evokes my memories of where the name Athletics is derived from: Connie Mack! Major League cannot forget a man who was born in East Brookfield, Mass and who won World Series in 1910, 1911, 1913, 1929 and 1930.    I  was in college at St. Louis University when my history professor got all excited when I told him where I was from :Connie Mack country. "Mack was famous for his $100,000 infield: Eddie Collins, Home Run Baker, Jack Barry and Stuffy McInnis. Fast forward to July 10, 1934  Connie Mack Day was featured with his Athletics playing on the North Brookfield Common. George M. Cohan was Master of Ceremony. The game was broadcast nationally. Mack wrote Billings M. Stevens " Through you as president  of the North Brookfield Chamber of Commerce.. "I shall always count July 10, 1934 as one of the jewels of my life." Today you can see "Connie Mack Drive" in a road sign in East Brookfield. With the Play Offs and World Series coming up let us pause and reflect of the name Connie Mack which is truly immortal!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN