JOOST TO SUDER TO FAIN

by Max Silberman

In l949 the Athletics splendid infield consisted of Hank Majeski at third base, Eddie Joost at shortstop, Pete Suder at second base and Ferris Fain at first. That season a double play record of 217 double plays was set. That record stands today despite the longer seasons.

That outstanding performance inspired A's publicist Dick Armstrong to compose the poem :"Joost to Suder to Fain." While Majeski was not included in the title, he was certainly a key to that infield's success.

The closing stanza of that beloved poem read " A long time from now when they're telling of how so and so could "get two" with no strain, we'll think of the days of Connie Mack's A's and of Joost and Suder and Fain."

For many young readers, those were the first lines of poetry that really struck an emotional chord and we attempted to memorize the entire piece. Tinker to Evers to Chance could never match Joost to Suder to Fain in the hearts of A's fans.

While it is quite remarkable that a record would survive all these years in the face of expansion (both of the number of teams and games per season) there are "doubting Thomases" who feel it necessary to point out that A's pitching that year put 36% of opposing batters on base, therefore increasing the likelihood of a twin killing but that does not explain all the teams with pitching problems (especially at present) whose infields could never match that figure of 217. Only 10 teams in baseball history have turned more than 200 per year and those 10 included the l949, 1950 and 1951 Philadelphia Athletics. For a brief period, Bob Dillinger replaced Hank Majeski but Majeski returned so that infield remained fairly intact during the 200 double play seasons except for Suder's 1950 injury.

At our second reunion held in April 1996 at the Bensalem, PA Holiday Inn, Eddie Joost, Pete Suder, and Ferris Fain all appeared to the delight of the 164 fans attending. Hank Majeski passed away in 1991 and Ferris Fain followed in 2001but Pete Suder and Eddie Joost are both 88 years old.

So many great players and achievements make up the Philadelphia Athletics history but to the fans following World War II, the double play record of l949 certainly ranks with the best of memories.

Editors Note: The original capacity of that Holiday Inn restaurant area was 90 however to accomodate our requests for tickets the Inn graciously made renovations to allow for the huge fan interest. One fan from New York who did not have a seat drove all the way to Bensalem just to sit in the lobby and see his heroes from another era. The Society was able to 'find" another seat for this elderly gentleman. That's how impressive were the names, Joost to Suder to Fain!!!!!!!

2004 Reunion Coverage

• 1954 A'S HONORED AT BREAKFAST REUNION By David Jordan

• REUNION UPDATE By Mike Morsch

• TINKER TO EVERS TO CHANCE? By Pat Williams

• JOOST TO SUDER TO FAIN By Max Silberman