Show Connie and Lonnie and Mack MackBy Macky By y GRANTLAND RICE RICE s SEVENTY-FOUR SEVENTY years ago a kid of ot 13 saw Aristides win the first Kentucky Derby His name is Matt Winn now nearly 88 years old Seventy years ago another kid showed up in one of the minor eastern ball parks possibly Pittsfield Y as a lean lank scrawny catcher His name Is Connie Mack now 86 years e old S Also s some 0 m e 70 years ago a high school kid did some pitching and playing playing play play- ing ng end before he Grantland Rice entered Yale His name is Alonzo Stagg also set at atthe atthe atthe the tender age of 86 Here are three men who wh might have the slogan Life can begin at any age but it only warms up In the For Matt Winn Is handling the production act for the Kentucky Derby the greatest of them all in the words and mind of this incredible At the same time Connie Mack 1 is dreaming of 01 his bis pennant actively In charge ofa ofa of ofa a ball baU club that has baa a chance to win with just a few lew lucky spins from the wheel of 01 chance And with Winn and Mack featured entries in racing and baseball Lonnie Stagg is actively helping young Lonnie his son to teach the young men in a Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Pennsyl Pennsyl- vania vana college how to tackle block run and throw passes Here are three men who can lay claim to a total of years and andare andare andare are not only actively connected with sport but in two instances Winn and Mack with the biggest shows of the year This has never happened be be- fore Certainly no two men at atthe atthe atthe the ages of 01 86 and 88 have I played such leading roles In ID sport and Stagg at 86 Is probably probably prof abl ably In better condition than thaD either At a party one night in Los Angeles Angeles An M geles two years ago I recall the block k that Stagg put on the burly Curly Lambeau explaining some play as the big man then coach of 01 the Green Bay flay Packers showed his hi astonishment Connie Mack sald said I 1 think Ill I'll leave for my seat before I get killed It was Victor Hugo who wrote In effect effect I I feel In myself In-myself myself the future life I 1 am like a forest that more than once has been cut down The new shoots are stronger and livelier livelier live live- lier than ever My soul is more luminous luminous luminous lu lu- lu- lu minous when my body powers begin begin be be- gin to fail fall The snows of winter may be on my head but the sunshine sunshine sunshine sun sun- shine of eternal spring is in my heart This is the answer to Winn Mack and Stagg The Stag The snows mows of winter whiter may be on their heads but the sunshine sunshine sun sun- shine of eternal spring is in their hearts They never look behind They look only to the days and years ahead The past is dust It Is 11 only w that matters This keeps em young The Big Year Unless an unexpected jolt arrives at some early date Winn and Mack both figure that 1949 may be the best year either has ever known Colonel Winn is certain that his Derby will lure more than spectators into his stands and set seta a new mark There seems to be grave doubt in many centers that any Kentucky Derby ever drew fans Two years ago this doubt was expressed In loud tones I asked Colonel Winn WIna for the correct correa corre figures Ill 1 tell you he said Tell those who doubt the figures that I will be glad to bet that we had or more spectators and if they care to take the bet Ill I'll guarantee to prove it to their complete complete complete com com- satisfaction No one cared to take the bet Derby Day at Churchill Downs Is beyond description You can caUthe call caU the place a madhouse and then retire But for all aU that it is 11 a terrific ter ter- rifle show due largely to tradition and the showmanship of at Colonel Matt Winn Winne The amazing feature is that so many take their beating year after year and come back for more So far as competition loD goes 1949 1849 bas has everything It takes to build up Interest with the possibility possibility or probability of 01 a big well-balanced well field The next two weeks will tell teU us more about this In the same way Connie Mack believes he be has a good chance to win the American league flag again He lie makes no pennant predictions predictions pre pre- dictions diction but he will explain to you that if U one or two things happen his Athletics will be in front at the finish He fully expects to be running running run run- running ning one three two two three down the stretch in September and this time he is equipped with reserves to handle bad breaks |