With a lull in sports, I thought I would delve into some history. Philadelphia has a long history of winning Championships in sports. Going as far back as the 1920s. Let’s talk Philadelphia Athletics.
The Frankford Yellow Jackets (NFL), The Eagles, Phillies, Warriors (NBA), Sixers, Flyers, Phantoms (AHL), Stars (USFL), Wings (MILL, NLL) a few others in lesser-known sports. In this chapter, we present the Philadelphia Athletics. They moved to Kansas City then, where they currently reside, Oakland.
To The Beginnings
The Philadelphia Athletics have been around longer than the World Series. The Shibe family which included cousin, Cornelius McGillicudy better known as Connie Mack, brought the organization to life in 1901. Their original home was located at 29th and Columbia in the area known as North Philadelphia. Eight years later the team relocated to 21st and Lehigh in the Swampoodle neighborhood and called “Shibe Park” home.
Winning Tradition Begins.
Just one year after their inception, the Athletics captured their first pennant. The winning continued with several more pennants, 1905, 1910, 1911, 1913, 1914, 1929-30-31. 1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, and 1930 saw them capture the ultimate prize, the World Series. In a history that encompassed 54 years, Philadelphia employed an unbelievable just three managers! Connie Mack, 1901 to 1950, Jimmy Dykes 1951- 1953, and Eddie Joost 1954.
Players You May Know?
An astounding number of Hall of Famers, including, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson in 1908, Frank Baker, Chief Bender, Ty Cobb, Mikey Cochrane, Eddie Collins, Jimmy Foxx, Nellie Foxx, Lefty Grove, George Bell, Nap Lajoie, Connie Mack, Eddie Plank, AL Simmons, Tris Speaker, Rube Waddell, and Zack Wheat. While most made their fame in other organizations, however, each spent time with Philly.
No-Hitters
Several no-nos were tossed including, Welton Henry 1905, Chief Bender 1910, Joe Bush 1916, Dick Fowler 1945, and Bill McCann 1947. Harry Byrd was named Rookie of the Year in 1953.
Why They Left?
The interest in the Phillies drew many of the A’s fans away. Finances were tight and the Shibe’s sold the rights to concessions in an effort to stay afloat. In the long run, it was a bad decision. To attempt to draw fans back, the Athletics began to sign bigger name Phillies players to which Mack (now the Head Man with the Phillies) sued the Athletics and eventually won.
To show how astute a businessman Mack was, he traded the players in question to Cleveland. With the litigation ongoing, the Players could only play in Pennsylvania. The situation was resolved but, Giants manager, John McGraw, called the Phillies a “white elephant” hence, the elephant logo on the current Oakland uniforms.
Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.
Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.
A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.
Latest Articles
Eagles Get Smacked in the Mouth By the 49ersEagles
The Flyers Beat the Penguins…AgainFlyers
Albany tops Las Vegas in Season OpenerLacrosse, NLL
Rochester completes comeback over CalgaryLacrosse, NLL
Philadelphia Wings Flying In The Right DirectionLacrosse, NLL
