Reddy Mack

Joseph Mack
born Joseph Mc Namara

• Bats Right, Throws Unknown
• Height 5' 8", Weight 182 lb.

• Debut September 16, 1885
• Final Game October 2, 1890
• Born May 2, 1866 in Ireland
• Died December 30, 1916 in Newport, KY USA

BR page

Biographical Information

"Reddy Mack's playing since he got in the game has been a surprise to even his most ardent admirers. He has hit the ball hard and often, and played the second bag in good style." - from the Sporting Life, June 12, 1897, about Mack's play for Hartford in the Atlantic League

Second baseman Reddy Mack was one of four major leaguers born in Ireland in 1866. He played his major league career in the American Association, where he was an above-average hitter, reaching a peak in 1887 when his on-base percentage of .415 was in the top ten in the league.

For whatever reason, in 1888 his hit-by-pitch total went way up, perhaps because his batting average was way down.

Defensively, his range and fielding percentage were about average for the league.

Oddly for a player who was a regular for several years in the majors, his batting (right or left) and his throwing arm (right or left) are unknown.

He was part of a play in 1887 where as a baserunner he "jostled" the catcher after he crossed the plate in order to help the baserunner behind him score. Whether Mack could be called out for interference was in question because the rule at the time only prevented "baserunners" from interfering, whereas Mack had already finished running. However, the umpire called him out anyway. See the book "Fair Play".

The Sporting Life issue of August 12, 1911, mentions Mack in connection with the Mountain States League, apparently as a manager.

One observer named Mack to his "All-Ireland" team, composed of players born in Ireland.

Related Sites

This manager's article is missing a managerial chart. To make this person's article more complete, one should be added.