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Who Connie Mack Picked For His All-Time Pre-1900 Baseball Team
The MLB legend spent more than 60 years in the sport and saw a lot of great players during that time
With a professional baseball career that stretched well over 60 years as a player, manager and team owner, Connie Mack probably saw more in the sport than any other one person in history. Therefore, his observations have to be given due respect when evaluating the best players he ever saw, including his all — pre-1900 team that he picked in 1944.
During his playing career, Mack was a good fielding catcher with very little to offer with his bat. In 11 seasons with three teams (1886–1896), he hit just .244 with five home runs and 265 RBIs in 724 games. However, he was fast for a backstop, swiping 127 bases. No matter, his greatest value to his teams was his glove and ability as a leader.
After spending a few years as a player/manager, Mack became the manager and a partial owner of the Philadelphia Athletics of the fledgling American League in 1901. He never worked again for another team, as he remained as manager and owner through the 1950 season.
During his 53 years manning a big-league dugout, he produced a record of 3,731–3,948 (with 76 ties), winning nine pennants and five World Series.
