1910-1940's

PHILADELPHIA ATHLETICS

Three vintage films on one DVD!

"Two Generations of Legends", "Mackmen of Tomorrow" and "1948 Philadelphia Athletics Preview" are three vintage films on Connie Mack's Philadelphia A's just recently restored by Rare Sportsfilms.

In 1939 the Philadelphia Athletics were not a good ballclub, solidly in 7th place in the American League, only one spot above the last place St. Louis Browns. But, in late summer of '39, some 25,000 fans gathered at Philadelphia's Shibe Park to watch two Athletics dynasties from years past play ball once again. Between games of a September 10 doubleheader vs the Boston Red Sox, club owner Connie Mack staged an exhibition game pitting his stars from the powerhouse athletics of 1929-1930-1931 against greats from the star-laden A's teams of 1910 through 1914. Almost 40 former Athletics suited up for the game, the 1910-14 players wearing white and the 1929-1931 team sporting the A's road gray flannels. The list of returning stars was a virtual "who's who" of legends from Philadelphia's glory days, with standouts such as Max Bishop, Jack Coombs, Harry Davis, Mule Haas, Doc Cramer, Amos Strunk, Jimmy Dykes, Stuffy McInnis, Bing Miller, Howard Emke, Morrie Rath, "Bullett" Joe Bush, Danny Murphy, Howard Emke, Paddy Livingston, Jack Barry, Jack Quinn and fan favorite Topsy Hartsel, taking the field alongside future Hall of Famers Frank "Home Run" Baker, "Chief" Bender, Mickey Cochran, Stan Coveleski, Lefty Grove, Herb Pennock and Eddie Collins. Connie Mack, who had managed each and every one of these men, was on hand to greet his players and honor them on this special day. Yet another Hall-of Famer, Tommy Connolly, umpired the contest, a fitting role for the arbiter, as 30 years earlier he had officiated the first game ever played at Shibe Park!

"Two Generations of Legends" - Now available on this DVD is a very rare, one-of-a-kind original COLOR film, commissioned by club owner Connie Mack himself to record for posterity the scenes from this special day. The film is in COLOR, and unheard of for this time of cinema, has original narration by Byrum Saam, long-time voice of the Athletics in only his second year of broadcasting the A's games on radio. Workers at the ballpark turnstiles are dressed up in 1910 garb for the day and you'll see typical fan attire and period automobiles on the streets surrounding the old Shibe Park before the action begins. The park is decked out in World Series bunting and huge Athletics pennants hang from the outfield walls recognizing all of the early Athletic pennant-winning teams. Fabulous shots inside the park show front row box seat occupants Judge Harry S. McDevitt, Connie Mack, American League president Will Harridge and baseball commissioner Judge "Kennesaw Mountain" Landis - everything shown in COLOR! In the dugout before the game you'll see current 1939 A's players Chubby Dean, Bob Johnson, Lynn Nelson, catcher Frankie Hayes and acting manager Earle Mack. As the players pose for the movies, you'll see more A's old timers, such as Rube Oldring, Cy Perkins, Joe Boley, 1913 World Series battery Joe Bush and Wally Schang, Carroll "Boardwalk" Brown and Rube Bressler. Connie Mack commissioned the making of commemorative gold rings which were presented to each returning player in on-field ceremonies at home plate. At the microphone you'll see Mr. Mack, Commissioner Landis and Roy Mack, who presents the rings to the players. At the ceremony you'll see spitball ace Cy Morgan, Dave Danforth, Jack Quinn, Walter French and many others. During the game and pre-game warmups Lena Blackburne, Doc Cramer (at the time still active with the visiting Red Sox) are also seen. The game ends after 2 1/2 innings, with the 1910-1914 team outscoring the 1929-1930-1931 club 6-4. This is truly a fabulous picture of baseball history and a rare opportunity to see players from the famous 1909-1911 T-206 baseball card set in action and in COLOR!

"Mackmen of Tomorrow"- is next on this DVD. Produced by the Philadelphia ballclub in 1949, this rare film, also narrated by Byrum Saam, promotes the Philadelphia A's new minor league spring training camp in Moultrie, Georgia. This film is also in beautiful color, and shows the A's tryouts held at Spence Field. The Philadelphia A's staff of instructors and minor league managers Arthur Ehlers, Frank Scaff, Eddie Martin, Homer Cox, Bill Peterman, coach Chief Bender, Jimmy DeShong and Tom Oliver and others are shown as they evaluate, teach and coach promising youngsters who may become major leaguers in Philadelphia someday. The film ends at Shibe Park in Philadelphia where successful A's minor leaguers are now in the majors and you'll see Connie Mack posing with Bill McCahan, Elmer Valo, Hank Biasetti, Joe Coleman, Alex Kellner, Lou Brissie, Joe Astroth, Charlie Harris, and Nellie Fox.

This DVD ends with "1948 Philadelphia Athletics Preview", a look at the 1948 club in spring training at West Palm Beach. Narrated by Stan Baumgartner, this B & W film shows pitchers Phil Marchildon, Bill McCahan, Lou Brissie, Dick Fowler, Carl Scheib, Russ Christopher and Bob Savage. Also included are Buddy Rosar, Billy DeMars, Skeeter Webb, Hank Majeski, Sam Chapman, Elmer Valo, Barney McCoskey, Don White and Mickey Rutner. On hand observing are Connie Mack and coach Al Simmons.

To get your DVD of these three rare A's films, send only $29.95 plus $4.00 shipping and handling (Illinois residents must add $2.30 tax) to: