Busy history day in 1908

THIS DAY IN MONTGOMERY, 1908

Philadelphia faces Montgomery in exhibition game on this date in 1908.

Your 1908 Montgomery Climbers

In an afternoon exhibition game on March 19th, the Philadelphia Athletics took on the local Montgomery Senators/Climbers. It gives Montgomery fans a chance to see the major league A's as they barnstorm their way north for the start of the season. Also it helps spark interest in our own team, officially still called the Senators but quickly becoming known as the Climbers for the hilly field they play on.

The A's finished in second place in the AL the previous season, though its a much different team than the one that trained here before in 1906.

Chief Bender

Manager Connie Mack has sold off eccentric Rube Waddell, leaving veteran hurlers Eddie Plank and Chief Bender to shoulder more of the pitching duties.

Catcher Ossie Schreckengost is still with the team, adding character with his outspoken antics, though he shuns the new-fangled shinguards being worn by Giants catcher Bresnahan.

Rube Oldring

Former Montgomery star Rube Oldring patrols the outfield for the Mackmen, along with Socks Siebold and Danny Murphy. Oldring played with Montgomery in 1905 as shortstop, third base and outfielder before being sold to Connie Mack's A's.


Among the other regulars on the team, Eddie Collins is rounding out his career, as is Plank and the first baseman Davis. This team is considered the last year of the "First Dynasty" of Connie Macks Athletic teams. Several of the veteran players have left from the championship A's teams, many more will be gone after this year, making it a transitional season for Philadelphia.


However today belongs to the Athletics....

 AUBURN PLAYER DIES FROM GAME INJURY

A throw from the catcher to second base hit the student athlete, presumably while he was batting a runner tried to steal second base. The injured student was brought to Montgomery where he passed away in an unspecified local hospital.