CONNIE MACK STAMP STUCK
By Ernie Montella
Mike Fesnak president of the Bux-Mont Stamp Club and chairperson
of the A’s Society Stamp committee has announced that
his organization will cease at the end of this year in their
five year project of petitioning the United States Postal
Services 15 member Citizens Advisory Commission to issue a
commemorative stamp honoring Connie Mack. In a recent interview
with a local radio talk show host when asked why the project
was being halted after all of his organizations previous efforts
Fesnak responded “since January 2001 with the cooperation
of the Athletics Society we have sent close to 20,000 signatures
and petitions to the advisory commission in favor of this
cause. Supporters from all over the country have given their
approval to honor one of America’s foremost celebrities.
The mere mention of his name brings instant recognition and
unfortunately all to no avail”. Fesnak’s sorrow
at this decision was apparent . He went further to state “this
is not to diminish the selection of the hundreds of commemorative
stamps issued during this span however we seemed to be playing
under different rules and it is sad that an gentleman such
as Connie Mack has been ignored all these years.” The
Citizens Stamp Advisory Board has issued many commemorative
stamps honoring baseball greats that include among others
Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Roberto Clemente, Jackie Robinson,
and just recently their Baseball Sluggers series of Mickey
Mantle, Roy Campanella, Hank Greenberg and Mel Ott all members
of Baseball’s Hall of Fame and all worthy for whatever
reason they have been selected but certainly no more important
than that of one of the games founding fathers .In January
1941 the Pennsylvania state legislature unanimously
passed a resolution designating May 17, 1941 as Connie Mack
Day in Pennsylvania. Dozens of celebrities from all walks
of life made their way to Philadelphia to be a part of this
historic event. Song writer and performer George M. Cohan
composed a special song for Mr. Mack that he performed in
person at Shibe Park. Unable to attend, President Franklin
Delano Roosevelt in a May 19, 1941 letter to his good friend
Connie Mack, FDR wrote “as an old friend and sincere
admirer I want to join, even though belatedly, the legion
of devoted followers who have been paying tribute to you.
As sportsman and as citizen you richly deserve the honors
that are heaped upon you and I gladly join in the accolade
of felicitations and good wishes. Very Sincerely yours, Franklin
D. Roosevelt”. The tributes to this baseball legend
continued on August 19,1949 when more than 300,000 hailed
Connie Mack in a ticker tape motorcade parade up New York
City’s lower Broadway . Then at City Hall where 10,000
persons were gathered to hear the Mayor pay tribute to Mr.
Mack for his “distinguished and exceptional public service
and declared tomorrow as Connie Mack Day with a celebration
prior to the Athletics game at Yankee Stadium” as more
than 64,000 jammed the stadium for the Connie Mack Day festivities.
October 1929 was another milestone in Mack’s career
as the City of Philadelphia awarded him its prestigious Philadelphia
Award (aka the BOK award) Mack was the first sports person
to be receive this tribute. In concluding his remarks Fesnak
expressed his personal appreciation to all of those who took
the time to join in this effort. Although unsuccessful in
their attempt to bestow this one last honor to a solid American
icon, the financial burden placed on his small organization
as well as the time consuming effort required to process petitions
and letters made it impossible to continue. If you care to
express your personal support for a Connie Mack Commemorative
Stamp send your feelings to:
Citizens Stamp Advisory Commission
U.S. Postal Service
1735 North Lynn Street
Room 5013
Arlington, Va. 22209-6432
Editors note: The efforts by Mike Fesnak and the Bux-Mont
Club are an example of why Connie Mack and his Philadelphia
Athletics will always have a home in the city where they brought
so much honor.. Perhaps the commission would consider a “Baseball’s
Greatest Managers “ commemorative issue on men who have
had an impact on the National Pastime. As a start they could
consider, naturally Mr. Mack, John McGraw, Miller Huggins,
Frank Robinson, Walter Alston, Clark Griffith, Fred Clark.
Care to add your selection?
These 33 cent Legends of Baseball
commemorative stamps were issued in 2000 and honored 20 members
of baseball's Hall of Fame. Did you know that legendary manager
Connie Mack managed 6 of these superstars during his 50 year
tenure? The list here includes, Eddie Collins, Ty Cobb, Mickey
Cochrane, Lefty Grove, Tris Speaker and Jimmie Foxx.
Wonders of America Land of Superlatives.
This 2006 40 stamp set includes the Tallest Cactus, Tallest,
Dunes, Tallest Monument, Tallest Waterfalls, Tallest Dam,
Tallets Delta, Tallest Trees, among others. Why not a stamp
here for the Tallest Baseball Manager?
This 2006 commemorative issues Childrens
Book Animals including the ever popular
The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Look out Crops of America.
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Dick Perez's drawing of Mr Mack.
Would this make for a great collectible stamp?
Mike Fesnak on the left is pictured here with Hall
of Fame artist Dick Perez at the A's Society's 13th Annual
Breakfast Reunion Breakfast in October 2004 in Williamsons
Restaurant, Horsham, Pa. Fesnak, A's Society volunteer and
president of the Bux-Mont Stamp Club had commissioned artist
Perez to do a drawing of Connie Mack in a familiar
pose. The drawing was then donated to the A's Society where
it is on display in the Society's Museum/Library .
Baseball's Legendary Playing Fields on this 34 cent
stamp included Shibe Park built by Connie Mack in 1909 where
his teams went on to win 5 world series and 7 American League
pennants.
Baseball Sluggers honors; Mickey Mantle, Hank Greenberg,
Roy Campanella & Mel Ott.
Each one enjoyed a Hall of Fame career in a sport that Connie
Mack was a founding father.
Lou Gehrig deservetly so on this 25 cent stamp
Some Recent Commemorative Memorable
Issues
Super Heroes issued in July 2006 honors among others,
Wonder Woman, Green Latern, Plastic Man, Aquaman, Rubber Man,
The Flash.
(Why not the Tall Tactician?)
The 2006 Crops of America 39 cent commemorative includes,
peppers, sunflowers, corn, beans, squash. Is a special salad
dressing stamp on the horizon? |
