Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 January 1918 — UMPIRE NEVER PLAYED GAME [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

UMPIRE NEVER PLAYED GAME

Connolly Is Violation of Every Quantification That Goes to Make Capable Official. Tom Connolly, the dean of the American league staff, is one of the ablest arbiters in America, yet he Is a violation of every qualification that goes to make a capable official. In the first place, Connolly never played a game of ball in his life. Not

only that, but he was almost an adult before he ever knew there was such a game as baseball. Yet, by diligent study and close application, he succeeded where scores of men born- in baseball and boasting of illustrious 'careers as fast-set players failed. Connolly was born in Manchester, England, and came to America in 1884, just about the time Grover Cleveland was elected to the presidency for the first time. Tom settled in Natick, Ma\ss., where he still has a home, and went to" work in a shoe factory. Eight years after his arrival he was umpiring semi-professional games in Natick.

Umpire Tom Connolly.