Chris Hornung
February 24, 2018
Page 6
February 24, 2018
Page 6
Maker Spotlight:
The History of A.J. Reach & Co.
The History of A.J. Reach & Co.
An Edison of Sport
The 1930's were difficult times for America and for baseball. The Great Depression wiped out savings and constrained disposable incomes of millions of Americans. Attendance at baseball games declined sharply as did purchases of sporting goods. Smaller athletic goods houses, such as Draper & Maynard, declared bankruptcy while others laid off workers, closed retail stores, and consolidated manufacturing facilities.
In 1934, all assets of A.J. Reach, Wright & Ditson were assigned to Spalding Sales Corporation, effectively ending the era of the sporting goods magnates. At the end of September, 1936, the Spalding Sales Corporation closed A.J. Reach & Co.'s famed Tulip Street factory and consolidated its baseball production into Spalding's plant in Chicopee, Massachusetts. At the time, the Kensington plant employed 500 workers, some of which had been with Reach since the factory opened in 1892. George Reach, who managed the facility, unsuccessfully lobbied Spalding executives to keep the plant running.
The Spalding Sale Corporation continued to produce Reach's Official American League Baseball guide until 1940, when it and the Spalding's Official National League Baseball Guide were consolidated into the Spalding-Reach Baseball Guide. In 1942, The Sporting News took over the annual publication of the Official Baseball Guide.
Spalding produced baseball goods in the Reach, Wright & Ditson name until the mid-1960's and would supply the Official American League Baseball, which it stamped with the A.J. Reach & Co. logo, until 1975, when Reach's 75-year run came to an end. In 1976, a baseball produced by Rawlings became the official ball of both the American and National League.
In 1934, all assets of A.J. Reach, Wright & Ditson were assigned to Spalding Sales Corporation, effectively ending the era of the sporting goods magnates. At the end of September, 1936, the Spalding Sales Corporation closed A.J. Reach & Co.'s famed Tulip Street factory and consolidated its baseball production into Spalding's plant in Chicopee, Massachusetts. At the time, the Kensington plant employed 500 workers, some of which had been with Reach since the factory opened in 1892. George Reach, who managed the facility, unsuccessfully lobbied Spalding executives to keep the plant running.
The Spalding Sale Corporation continued to produce Reach's Official American League Baseball guide until 1940, when it and the Spalding's Official National League Baseball Guide were consolidated into the Spalding-Reach Baseball Guide. In 1942, The Sporting News took over the annual publication of the Official Baseball Guide.
Spalding produced baseball goods in the Reach, Wright & Ditson name until the mid-1960's and would supply the Official American League Baseball, which it stamped with the A.J. Reach & Co. logo, until 1975, when Reach's 75-year run came to an end. In 1976, a baseball produced by Rawlings became the official ball of both the American and National League.
Closing of Kensington Plant
Consolidation
After Al Reach's passing, in 1928 A.G. Spalding consolidated A. J. Reach & Co. and the Wright & Ditson-Victor Co. into A.J. Reach, Wright & Ditson, Inc. The new company would be based in California, where George Wright, now in his 80's, resided, but the manufacturing of Reach sporting goods would continue to be managed by George Reach and Tom Shibe at the Kensington factory in Philadelphia. Products of the new company would be stamped with a new "Reach, Wright & Ditson logo, while its combined catalog included baseball, football, and boxing equipment from the Reach line and tennis and golf equipment from Wright & Ditson's line.
"Ben Shibe was one of the founders of the American League and its greatest pillar. During his period of active participation, the organization profited by his wise counsel, and his sterling integrity helped to a large degree in maintaining the game's highest standard. There never was a man identified with baseball who commanded a greater respect. He has left an indelible stamp for good on baseball."
"The ball used last season was as near perfect as the human hand and modern machinery can make it. We'd be foolish to experiment with it further. [25]"
On August 21, 1920, Ben Shibe's motor car was overturned after being struck by another vehicle. Shibe survived the accident, but suffered brain damage that rendered him an invalid. He would never fully recover from his injuries. On January 14, 1922, Benjamin Shibe died at his daughter's home in Philadelphia, just days shy of his 84th birthday. Amongst the many tributes to Shibe were the following:
Ban Johnson, January 14, 1922 [24]
"Mr. Shibe was an Edison of sport. One of the very few he was to see the possibilities of baseball, and of a half dozen or less of persons who were willing to risk their all and their time and tie to a sport they thought must surely grow."
James C. Isaminger, January 19, 1922
Death of a Legend
While Reach's ownership of the Phillies ended in 1903, he remained committed to supporting the growth of professional baseball. The fortune Reach amassed through the production of sporting goods enabled him to provide financing to owners for the construction of new stadiums and facilities throughout the major league [26], giving Reach "soft power" which he leveraged to maintain A.J. Reach & Co.'s licensing agreements and dominance of the sporting goods industry. A star player, innovator, entrepreneur, and benefactor, Reach, along with Albert Spalding and George Wright, was also a cunning businessman who crushed competitors and monopolized the American sporting goods industry for over 60 years. After Spalding's death in 1915, Al Reach was widely considered to be the "richest man connected with the game. [27]"
As Reach approached 80 years of age in the 1920's, he withdrew from public life and moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he became an enthusiastic golfer, playing up to 36-holes per day. Reach would continue to attend baseball games and occasional banquets feting the "old-timers' but preferred his quiet life on the shore. On January 14, 1928, Al Reach died at his home, exactly 6 years after the death of his partner and friend, Ben Shibe.
As Reach approached 80 years of age in the 1920's, he withdrew from public life and moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he became an enthusiastic golfer, playing up to 36-holes per day. Reach would continue to attend baseball games and occasional banquets feting the "old-timers' but preferred his quiet life on the shore. On January 14, 1928, Al Reach died at his home, exactly 6 years after the death of his partner and friend, Ben Shibe.
Soft-spoken and genuine, Ben Shibe would be remembered as one of the most respected men in professional baseball. His fair and selfless management style endeared "Uncle Ben" to fans and players alike. In light of lessons learned during the Brotherhood War and the formation of the American League, Ben Shibe was opposed to the centralization of power in baseball. In 1912 Shibe's partners Frank Hough and Sam Jones sought to sell their shares in the Athletics. Both Connie Mack and Ben's son, Thomas expressed a desire to purchase the shares, but Mack didn't have the resources to make the purchase. Ever the diplomat and true to his convinctions, Shibe loaned Mack the funds to purchase the shares, and agreed to sell a portion of his own shares to Thomas.
Perhaps Shibe's greatest contribution to baseball was his invention of manufacturing equipment and processes that standardized equipment and made the game affordable for the masses. When questioned by reporters in June 1920 about the A.J. Reach baseball's role in Babe Ruth's offensive output, Shibe, the consummate perfectionist, replied,
Perhaps Shibe's greatest contribution to baseball was his invention of manufacturing equipment and processes that standardized equipment and made the game affordable for the masses. When questioned by reporters in June 1920 about the A.J. Reach baseball's role in Babe Ruth's offensive output, Shibe, the consummate perfectionist, replied,
The War Effort
The popularity of baseball in the United States waned to a degree during the mid-1910's as new forms of entertainment competed for American leisure time [21]. With the introduction of the Model T in 1908, Ford Motor Company made the automobile affordable for the common man, making travel and auto racing popular pastimes. Similarly, Americans flocked to theaters as technological advances in cinematography ushered in the era of the "Silver Screen."
Baseball was also impacted by The Great War. After years of pacification and neutrality, the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917 after the sinking of American merchant and passenger ships by German U-boats and the discovery of the Zimmerman Telegram, which outlined a German plot to aid Mexico in recapturing portions of the southwestern U.S. In response, the Selective Service Act of 1917 authorized Congress to draft able-bodied men between the ages of 21 and 30 into military service. The draft effectively shut down the minor leagues, and required the major leagues to end the 1918 season early on September 2nd. By 1918, over 4.8 million Americans had either volunteered or were drafted into service, including an average of 15 players from each major league team [22].
Initial efforts by teams to thwart this federal incursion threatened to alienate a sizeable percentage of baseball's fan base. The League attempted to salvage its image by hiring instructors to lead players in military drills before games and patriotic displays at ballparks. However, it would be a chance occurance during the 1918 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox that would create an indelible bond between baseball and American patriotism. During the 7th inning stretch of Game 1, the Chicago military band began to play the Star Spangled Banner. Red Sox third baseman, Fred Thomas, who was on furlough from his assignment with the U.S. Navy, stood at attention and saluted the flag, compelling his fellow players and the crowd to spontaneously sing America's national anthem [23], a tradition that has lived on to this day.
Sporting goods manufacturers also played an important part in the war effort by funding advertisements for the purchase of war bonds and providing athletic and training equipment for American troops both home and abroad. A.J. Reach & Co. was awarded a contract to supply the U.S. Army with sporting goods during the war and temporarily adopted a new "Liberty Brand" logo to promote its patriotic efforts. After the war many credited the popularity of sports in the United States with better preparing American soldiers for the rigors of war.
Baseball was also impacted by The Great War. After years of pacification and neutrality, the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917 after the sinking of American merchant and passenger ships by German U-boats and the discovery of the Zimmerman Telegram, which outlined a German plot to aid Mexico in recapturing portions of the southwestern U.S. In response, the Selective Service Act of 1917 authorized Congress to draft able-bodied men between the ages of 21 and 30 into military service. The draft effectively shut down the minor leagues, and required the major leagues to end the 1918 season early on September 2nd. By 1918, over 4.8 million Americans had either volunteered or were drafted into service, including an average of 15 players from each major league team [22].
Initial efforts by teams to thwart this federal incursion threatened to alienate a sizeable percentage of baseball's fan base. The League attempted to salvage its image by hiring instructors to lead players in military drills before games and patriotic displays at ballparks. However, it would be a chance occurance during the 1918 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox that would create an indelible bond between baseball and American patriotism. During the 7th inning stretch of Game 1, the Chicago military band began to play the Star Spangled Banner. Red Sox third baseman, Fred Thomas, who was on furlough from his assignment with the U.S. Navy, stood at attention and saluted the flag, compelling his fellow players and the crowd to spontaneously sing America's national anthem [23], a tradition that has lived on to this day.
Sporting goods manufacturers also played an important part in the war effort by funding advertisements for the purchase of war bonds and providing athletic and training equipment for American troops both home and abroad. A.J. Reach & Co. was awarded a contract to supply the U.S. Army with sporting goods during the war and temporarily adopted a new "Liberty Brand" logo to promote its patriotic efforts. After the war many credited the popularity of sports in the United States with better preparing American soldiers for the rigors of war.
A.J. Reach Official American League Baseball Guide, 1918
St. Louis Sporting News,
December 12, 1918
December 12, 1918
Following the closing of Reach's Kensington factory, George Reach carried on his father's legacy and started his own sporting goods manufacturing company, George A. Reach Co., Inc., which produced football and baseball equipment until his death in 1954.
George A. Reach Co.
Ben Shibe left his shares in the Athletics to his sons, and the Shibe family would continue to be part owners of the team until being bought out in 1950.
REFERENCES
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