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Show BEN ! '. SHIBE j OF BASEBALL ! FAME IS DEAD Idea of Cork Center Sphere Assigned to President of Athletics PHILADELPHIA. Jan. 14 Benjamin Benja-min F Bhlbe, president of the Phi.il-delphla Phi.il-delphla American League Baseball club, died today. Mr. Shlbe. vv ho was in hLs s3rd year, had been ailing for about two yeurs. About a year ago h'- was in an automobile auto-mobile accident, receiving injuries from which he slowly recovered. Mr Shine's financial assistance made it possible for the American league to establish a club in Philadelphia Philadel-phia when it invaded National league territory in 1901. He was made president presi-dent of the club when it was established estab-lished and remained in that position to the time of his death. He owned, it Is understood, 50 per cent of the club stock, some of which was truns-ferred truns-ferred to members of his family. Con-nie Con-nie .Mack is the ow ner of the other i 50 per cent. Mr. Bhlbe began to earn his liv ing as a horse car driver. He had a knack for sewing up a lot of yarn and making mak-ing a presentable baseball for boys on I the lots and drifted Into the business vvlPh his brother. The: business pro: -pered and In 1SS2 he became associated asso-ciated with A. J Reach, famous ball player in the seventies. In the A. J. Beach Co. Both men became quite wealthy. Mr. Reach survives his partner. Mr. Shihe has been given credit for developlng baseballs to the present standard; The idea of the cork center cen-ter baseballs was attributed to him. |