Connie Mack Day celebrated in East Brookfield, Massachusetts
SABR members Dick Rosen, working with the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society (and an organizer of the 2013 SABR convention), and Norman Macht (author of two published volumes on Connie Mack) both took part in “Connie Mack Day” on September 14 and 15 in East Brookfield, Massachusetts. The town took the weekend to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Connie Mack’s birth in the town where he grew up.
Dick Armstrong, former public relations director for the Athletics, and former U.S. Senator Connie Mack III and Congressman Connie Mack IV of Florida were also in attendance.
The town turned out with displays of memorabilia and local history. This year marks the 150th anniversary of Mack’s birth on December 22, and a group of enthusiastic town officials and historical society members put together a great program.
Both Dick and Norman gave talks on Friday evening. The highlight of Saturday was the re-dedication of Connie Mack Field in the town and a vintage baseball game featuring a match between East Brookfield and North Brookfield, reprising Connie Mack’s first championship game.
East Brookfield had a bit of an edge, with former major league pitcher Bill Lee joining the team — throwing in an underhand motion, of course, and unable to benefit in the strikeout department from foul balls being considered strikes. East Brookfield won, 27-7, in large part thanks to Lee’s eight RBIs, scored on two run-producing singles and a grand slam over the right-field fence.
Check out more photos of the event below.
— Bill Nowlin and Joanne Hulbert
Originally published: September 18, 2012. Last Updated: September 18, 2012.