Books and articles about Les Mann

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Mann was platooned in the outfield of the 1914 World Champion Braves; the next year he jumped to the Federal League and led that circuit with 19 triples. He headed a player revolt for better shares in the 1918 WS as a member of the pennant-winning Cubs. He batted over .300 six times, mostly as a reserve; in his three seasons with the Cardinals (1921-23), he hit .328, .347, and .371. He turned in Giant pitcher Phil Douglas for writing him a letter inviting a bribe in 1922. After his playing days, Mann formed the National Amateur Baseball Association. In 1936, he persuaded the World Olympic Committee to add baseball as an exhibition event; two American teams puzzled a throng of Germans, who formed a larger crowd than had ever attended a World Series game. (JK)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » August 13, 1914: In the start of a crucial series in New York, the Braves pound Rube Marquard for 11 hits to win, 5–3. Rabbit Maranville contributes a triple and Les Mann adds a homer and 2-run single. Lefty Tyler notches another victory. » October 10, 1914: In game 2, Bill James and Eddie Plank match zeroes for 8. In the 9th, Boston's Charlie Deal doubles, steals 3B, and scores on Les Mann's single. James gives up two hits. » October 12, 1914: Joe Bush, 17–10 for the A's, faces Lefty Tyler in game 3. Tied 2–2 in the 10th, Home Run Baker drives in his only two runs of the Series, but a home run by Hank Gowdy starts a game-tying rally. After Bill James comes on and sets the A's down for two innings, Gowdy doubles. Bush gives up a walk, then throws a sacrifice bunt past Baker at 3B allowing pinch runner Les Mann to score the winning run. » February 10, 1916: In a sweet deal, the Cubs send cash to the sinking Chicago Whales (Federal League) and bring back Three Finger Brown, Clem Clemens, Mickey Doolan, Bill Fischer, Max Flack, Claude Hendrix, Les Mann, Dykes Potter, Joe Tinker, Rollie Zeider, and George McConnell. » July 19, 1916: At Chicago, the Giants edge the Cubs, 8–6, as New York CF Benny Kauff tags out two runners at 2B for a double play. With one out the Cubs load the bases. Giant catcher Bill Rariden throws to 2B and catches the runner, Les Mann, off. In the rundown, the runner on 3rd breaks for home and scores when the Giants fumble. But the ball is recovered and the throw to Kauff covering 2nd gets the runner sliding back. Kauff then looks up and tags the runner trying to advance from 1B to end the inning. » September 6, 1918: In game 2, Lefty Tyler drives in two runs in the Cubs' 3-run second. The Red Sox get one in the 9th and that's all the scoring for the day, with George Tyler beating Joe Bush. The game also features fights between Heinie Wagner and Hippo Vaughn and another involving Lester Mann and Joe Bush. » August 8, 1922: The Giants Shufflin’ Phil Douglas is suspended and fined $100 by John McGraw. (Douglas, an alcoholic, and McGraw did not enjoy the best of relationships after McGraw forced Douglas to undergo a terrible treatment for alcoholism.) Douglas writes a letter to St. Louis Cardinals OF Les Mann, his former roommate at Chicago, offering to disappear if they make it worth his while, lest he help McGraw win the pennant. Mann turns the letter over to Branch Rickey, who relays it to Commissioner Landis. In Pittsburgh on the 16th, Douglas admits he wrote the letter, and Landis bars him from baseball for life. Sadly, when Douglas sobered up he asked Mann to destroy the letter, but Mann had already passed it on. Douglas was 11-4 at the time, with the lowest ERA on the club (2.63). » May 11, 1923: The Phils and Cards bash a record 10 home runs out of cozy Baker Bowl as the Phils outkick the Cards, 20–14; Cy Williams has three homers and seven RBIs while teammate Johnny Mokan adds two homers, a double, and seven RBIs. Les Mann belts two for St. Louis, and losing pitcher Bill Sherdel connects. In all, 23 batters hit safely with the two teams combining for 79 total bases. Williams now has 12 homers, tops in the Majors.