A’S SOCIETY MOVES AHEAD IN JANUARY

by David M. Jordan

As the Society’s museum underwent reconstruction and reconfiguration in Hatboro on January 15, the Society itself carried on a highly successful Hot Stove League function on the same day at the Day’s Inn in Horsham. Originally designed for the revelation of the winner of the week-long stay at the LeMans Suites in Lakeland, Florida, provided by Society benefactor Carlton Hodges, the occasion developed into one of a little commerce, a lot of entertainment, and a good helping of historical education.

As Society volunteers sold books, hats, and a few items of baseball memorabilia, visitors were impressed with the sight of two old baseballs. Not just any old baseballs, of course, one of these bore the unmistakable signature of Babe Ruth, while the other was autographed by Lou Gehrig. The two historic baseballs, on permanent loan to the Society from Gail Hebert, were brought out of their customary safekeeping for display to our visitors at the Day’s Inn.

Then, a tall figure in a strange but familiar green outfit charged through the door into the inn’s lobby. The Phillie Phanatic had arrived, much to the delight of children and adults alike! The Phanatic greeted just about everyone there, to the accompaniment of popping flashbulbs, and then vaulted over the counter of the check-in desk, to see what he could do in the way of assisting the Day’s Inn employees. When a gentleman arrived at the front desk to check in to the hotel, he seemed nonplussed at the strangely-attired “bellman” who greeted him. This business taken care of, the Phanatic then pulled the winning raffle ticket for the LeMans vacation, turning up the name of Kenneth Stein, of York, PA. Ken Stein is an 82-year-old member of the A’s Society, along with his brother Lawrence. We congratulate Ken Stein and assure him that his week in Lakeland should be a memorable one.

When the furry green mascot departed the premises, to a great round of applause from the guests, the book signings by authors present, Ed Delahanty in the Emerald Age of Baseball, by Jerrold Casway, and Movin’ On Up, by Tom Burgoyne and Bob Gordon, proceeded.

Finally, we were treated to a talk by Jerry Casway, author of the Delahanty book, one of the preeminent historians of early Philadelphia baseball, and a professor of history at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland, on Ben Shibe and Al Reach. Shibe, the original financial backer of Connie Mack’s Athletics and of course the builder of Shibe Park, and Reach, one of the greatest of early baseball players and later president of the Phillies, were business partners in the Reach sporting goods company, and Shibe’s daughter married Reach’s son. Their relationship, particularly in 1901, when the Athletics came to Philadelphia, was crucial in establishing the club, and Casway’s description of this relationship and what it came to mean was fascinating and enlightening.

All in all, a fine day once again for the A’s Historical Society.

Lemans Suites owned by Carlton & Elvena Hodges and the A's Society co-sponsored this event. Click here to learn more about the LeMans Suites.