Connie Mack knew how to build a ballclub.

Frank Fitzpatrick at the Philadelphia Inquirer put together a pretty compelling article comparing the great Athletics team of the early ’30s to the ‘08-and-on Phillies. The 1930s A’s were outshadowed by the Yankees of a similar time, even though they beat them for the pennant three years in a row. If it wasn’t for the Great Depression hitting, Fitzpatrick and others believe that the A’s could’ve been a force to be reckoned with for even longer than the three-year span in which they were dominant, but budgetary constraints caused Connie Mack to cut back on the team.

Fitzpatrick sees parallels to the ‘08 Phillies in the early-’30s A’s. He says:

“If the 2009 Phillies are to emulate the 1930 Athletics and repeat, they will do so in a far-different era but with a very similar formula.

“Like those A’s, these Phillies remain virtually unaltered from the previous October. They too will rely on a potent lineup that mixes speed and strength, will be powered by a monstrously strong first baseman, will have a dominant lefthander at the head of their rotation, will have a 46-year-old veteran on their staff, and will play solid defense.”

That, and Great Depression II: Electric Boogaloo is extremely nigh.

Source.

Joe Blancato athletics, connie mack, frank fitzpatrick, philadelphia inquirer, phillies