Texsox Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 I am researching a Texas writer for a chapter in my MA Thesis. His name is Mack Thomas and on one of the dust jackets for his novel The Total Beast it mentions he "tried his hand at pitching professional baseball" another reference makes me believe he probably was paid to play. Any suggestions on sources that may help me trace the dates and teams? (he has been dead for forty years). He was born in 1928 and served in the Air Force and went to college so he probably played in the 1950s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleHurt05 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Baseball Reference would be your best bet. I typed in Mack Thomas to the search engine, two "Thomas Mack" minor leaguers showed up, but one played in 1912-1913 and the other in 1940, so not your guy. Maybe he went by a different full name? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share Posted February 7, 2015 I have not found another name that he used, but I am in the early stages of researching. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 If it isn't in Baseball Reference, he either played under another name or didn't play with an affiliated team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share Posted February 7, 2015 That is my assumption. So I need to look at independent leagues in the 1950s which will be a PITA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Try facebook pages from the town or area the guy is supposedly from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buehrle>Wood Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 http://www.baseball-reference.com/friv/birthdays.cgi Try by dob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Middle Buffalo Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Just make it up. Every paper I ever wrote had quotes and "facts" that I made up in it. My own personal Easter eggs. Say this guy had a "cup of coffee" with the St. Louis Browns after the war. Which war? Who cares? Done and done. You're welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max power Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 QUOTE (Middle Buffalo @ Feb 7, 2015 -> 09:08 PM) Just make it up. Every paper I ever wrote had quotes and "facts" that I made up in it. My own personal Easter eggs. Say this guy had a "cup of coffee" with the St. Louis Browns after the war. Which war? Who cares? Done and done. You're welcome. lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILMOU Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 QUOTE (Middle Buffalo @ Feb 7, 2015 -> 08:08 PM) Just make it up. Every paper I ever wrote had quotes and "facts" that I made up in it. My own personal Easter eggs. Say this guy had a "cup of coffee" with the St. Louis Browns after the war. Which war? Who cares? Done and done. You're welcome. Hilarious, and you're right. Nobody has the time to check a bibliography. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 Remember this is a MA Thesis that a committee will be reviewing before I defend it later this year. I am the professor's only student for this class. It is the equivalent of 9 semester hours. Also, I am hoping to write a couple pages about his baseball career. I wish it were that easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Feb 7, 2015 -> 08:16 PM) http://www.baseball-reference.com/friv/birthdays.cgi Try by dob Thank you. I am still trying to track down a birth certificate. All I have now is the year of birth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 QUOTE (Tex @ Feb 8, 2015 -> 07:38 PM) Thank you. I am still trying to track down a birth certificate. All I have now is the year of birth. Seriously, ask around a facebook page centered on the towns history. There is one centered around my hometown and it amazes me the things that get talked about there. I would be willing to bet that someone knows someone who grew up with him, played ball with him, or just remembers him and can give you at least a direction to go in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted February 11, 2015 Author Share Posted February 11, 2015 Great idea. Believe it or not I am still trying to nail down a birth town. The only references are comments he has made about being between two towns. Thanks for the tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Good luck. Sounds like a fun project. I actually managed to disprove an old local urban legend about a year ago based on piecing together some sources in a similar way to start with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenryan Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 11, 2015 -> 12:14 PM) Good luck. Sounds like a fun project. I actually managed to disprove an old local urban legend about a year ago based on piecing together some sources in a similar way to start with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleHurt05 Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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