Interesting Story

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Posted By: MW

Years ago, while purchasing a collection of autographed material, we came across a reference to a letter once contained in the collection (as reported by the Jackson Citizen Patriot in 1945):

"One of the many interesting letters in the Silagi collection is one from Connie Mack, who tells an interesting story covering the time he obtained the services of Rube Waddell. Connie, at that time, 1900, was managing the Milwaukee club and was dickering for the 'Rube.'"

"The latter paid little attention to Mack's entreaties and offers. Mack went to where Waddell was living and made a deal. They arrived at the depot and when about to board a train, saw a delegation of local teams, fans, officials and others, heading toward them. Mack feared trouble as he believed the townspeople would be angry at his getting Waddell away from them. The head of the club, however, walked up to Mack and, on the side, told Mack how glad they were to 'get rid of Waddell.' Subsequent years proved how wrong they were."


Or did they?