ty cobb

Tigers replace Cobb as manager with umpire George Moriarty

ByThis Day in Baseball

On November 3, 1926, Ty Cobb resigns as manager of the Detroit Tigers after a 79-75 season and announces his retirement as a player. Early in 1927, Cobb will sign a one-year contract with Connie Mack’s Philadelphia A’s and return as a player hitting .357. It will later be revealed that Cobb’s resignation in Detroit,…

Al Szymanski, 21, who will later be known as Al Simmons is stolen by Connie Mack for 3 players

Al Szymanski, 21, who will later be known as Al Simmons is stolen by Connie Mack for 3 players

ByTom

1923 – Al Szymanski, 21, who signed with his hometown Milwaukee club in the spring and was farmed out to Shreveport, is traded. Connie Mack secured the rights to his contract while he was at Shreveport; at the end of the season he reported to Milwaukee and hit .398 in 24 games. Scorekeepers change his name to Al Simmons. The A’s send IF Heinie Scheer and outfielders Wid Matthews and Frank “Beauty” McGowan to Milwaukee for the Simmons sleeper.

The Brooklyn Robins obtain shortstop Sam Crane from the Cincinnati Reds. Crane will play in three games and later be convicted of murder. He will be visited in prison by Connie Mack, who works for his parole and gives him a job.

The Brooklyn Robins obtain shortstop Sam Crane from the Cincinnati Reds. Crane will play in three games and later be convicted of murder. He will be visited in prison by Connie Mack, who works for his parole and gives him a job.

ByTom

1922 – The Brooklyn Robins obtain shortstop Sam Crane from the Cincinnati Reds. Crane will play in three games and later be convicted of murder. He will be visited in prison by Connie Mack, who works for his parole and gives him a job.

Larry_Gardner_circa_1915

Philadelphia Athletics owner Connie Mack makes one of his biggest player mistakes

ByTom

1919 – Philadelphia Athletics owner Connie Mack makes one of his biggest player mistakes, trading third baseman Larry Gardner, outfielder Charlie Jamieson, and pitcher Elmer Myers to the Cleveland Indians for OF Braggo Roth. Veteran writer Ernest Lanigan predicts that Roth will lead the circuit in home runs at Shibe Park, but Roth will be shipped to the Boston Red Sox by midseason. Gardner will put in six more .300 years, and Jamieson will be a top leadoff man and .303 hitter for the next 14 years.

"I'd sure loved to have swung against today's lively ball. Yes, with my 52-ounce bat. . . . Many hitters are swinging for the fences instead of choking up. Of course, homers are nice. But I'll take a good .300 hitter who can get on base often. You can't drive in many runs batting .225 no matter how many homers you hit." — Frank "Home Run" Baker

Home Run Baker, 28, announces his retirement following a contract dispute with Connie Mack

ByThis Day in Baseball

1915 – Home Run Baker, 28, announces his retirement following a contract dispute with Connie Mack. He will sit out the 1915 season. Mack will also have salary problems with Chief Bender, Eddie Plank and Jack Coombs, and rather than compete with the Federal League, he releases the stars.

Kid Gleason, Connie Mack, Philadelphia a’s, Connie mack

 Philadelphia Athletics owner Connie Mack begins cleaning house, asking waivers on Jack Coombs, Eddie Plank and Chief Bender

ByThis Day in Baseball

1914 – Philadelphia Athletics owner Connie Mack begins cleaning house, asking waivers on Jack Coombs, Eddie Plank and Chief Bender. Coombs goes to the Brooklyn Robins as Plank and Bender escape Mack’s manoeuvering by jumping to the Federal League. Despite winning the American League pennant, Philadelphia fans did not support the Athletics and the club lost $50,000.