Joe S. Jackson
Encyclopedia
Joseph S. "Joe" Jackson (July 1871 – May 19, 1936) was an American sportswriter
and editor for the Detroit Free Press
, The Washington Post
and The Detroit News
. He was the founder and first president of the Baseball Writers Association of America
, holding the presidency from 1908 to 1919.
in 1871. At the time of the 1900 United States Census, he was living in Providence and working as a reporter. He worked for six years for the Providence Telegram from 1895 to 1901 and became the newspaper's Sunday and sporting editor.
, a position he held until 1910. In addition to his editorial duties, Jackson published a regular column titled "Sporting Facts and Fancies", and feature stories on the major sports events in the city. He covered Michigan Wolverines football
in the era of Fielding H. Yost's "Point-a-Minute" teams and the Detroit Tigers
during the early years of Ty Cobb
's career in Major League Baseball
. Jackson is credited with having given Cobb the nickname, "The Georgia Peach". In 1910, he became the sports editor of The Washington Post
. He published a regular column in The Washington Post called Sporting Facts and Fancies. After three years in Washington, D.C.
, Jackson returned to Detroit as a sports writer and editor for The Detroit News-Tribune
. He subsequently returned to the Detroit Free Press
.
(BBWAA). The BBWAA was established in response to ongoing disputes over working conditions in, and control over, press box
es. The press boxes at many fields were cramped, and team owners had begun to offer seating in the press boxes to actors, friends and others who were not members of the working press. Frequently, there was no room for reporters from the visiting team. The issue came to a head during the 1908 World Series
between the Detroit Tigers
and Chicago Cubs
when visiting baseball writers in Chicago were seated in the back row of the grandstand and in Detroit "were compelled to climb a ladder to the roof of the first base pavillion and write in the rain and snow".
The organization was established at a meeting held at the Pontchartrain Hotel
in Detroit, Michigan
on October 14, 1908, following the 1908 World Series. Jackson was selected as the organization's first president and held that position for 11 years from 1908 to 1919. When Jackson stepped down as president in October 1919, the Association presented him with "a handsome traveling bag".
, in June 1936. Edgar Guest
, known as the "People's Poet", began his writing career with the Detroit Free Press in the early 1900s. After learning of Jackson's death, Guest published a poem titled "Joe S. Jackson" which provided in part:
Sports journalism
Sports journalism is a form of journalism that reports on sports topics and events.While the sports department within some newspapers has been mockingly called the toy department, because sports journalists do not concern themselves with the 'serious' topics covered by the news desk, sports...
and editor for the Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Free Press is the largest daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The Sunday edition is entitled the Sunday Free Press. It is sometimes informally referred to as the "Freep"...
, The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
and The Detroit News
The Detroit News
The Detroit News is one of the two major newspapers in the U.S. city of Detroit, Michigan. The paper began in 1873, when it rented space in the rival Free Press's building. The News absorbed the Detroit Tribune on February 1, 1919, the Detroit Journal on July 21, 1922, and on November 7, 1960,...
. He was the founder and first president of the Baseball Writers Association of America
Baseball Writers Association of America
The Baseball Writers' Association of America is a professional association for baseball journalists writing for daily newspapers, magazines and qualifying Web sites. The BBWAA was founded on October 14, 1908, to improve working conditions for sportswriters in the early part of the 20th century...
, holding the presidency from 1908 to 1919.
Early years
Jackson was born in Providence, Rhode IslandProvidence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
in 1871. At the time of the 1900 United States Census, he was living in Providence and working as a reporter. He worked for six years for the Providence Telegram from 1895 to 1901 and became the newspaper's Sunday and sporting editor.
Sportswriter
In November 1901, Jackson was hired to replace Ray M. Ziegler as the sporting editor of the Detroit Free PressDetroit Free Press
The Detroit Free Press is the largest daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The Sunday edition is entitled the Sunday Free Press. It is sometimes informally referred to as the "Freep"...
, a position he held until 1910. In addition to his editorial duties, Jackson published a regular column titled "Sporting Facts and Fancies", and feature stories on the major sports events in the city. He covered Michigan Wolverines football
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
in the era of Fielding H. Yost's "Point-a-Minute" teams and the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
during the early years of Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
's career in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. Jackson is credited with having given Cobb the nickname, "The Georgia Peach". In 1910, he became the sports editor of The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
. He published a regular column in The Washington Post called Sporting Facts and Fancies. After three years in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, Jackson returned to Detroit as a sports writer and editor for The Detroit News-Tribune
The Detroit News
The Detroit News is one of the two major newspapers in the U.S. city of Detroit, Michigan. The paper began in 1873, when it rented space in the rival Free Press's building. The News absorbed the Detroit Tribune on February 1, 1919, the Detroit Journal on July 21, 1922, and on November 7, 1960,...
. He subsequently returned to the Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Free Press is the largest daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The Sunday edition is entitled the Sunday Free Press. It is sometimes informally referred to as the "Freep"...
.
Baseball Writers Association of America
In 1908, Jackson and Jack Ryder of the Cincinnati Enquirer organized the Baseball Writers Association of AmericaBaseball Writers Association of America
The Baseball Writers' Association of America is a professional association for baseball journalists writing for daily newspapers, magazines and qualifying Web sites. The BBWAA was founded on October 14, 1908, to improve working conditions for sportswriters in the early part of the 20th century...
(BBWAA). The BBWAA was established in response to ongoing disputes over working conditions in, and control over, press box
Press box
The press box is a special section of a sports stadium or arena that is set up for the media to report about a given event. It is typically located in the section of the stadium holding the luxury box. In general, newspaper writers sit in this box and write about the on-field event as it unfolds...
es. The press boxes at many fields were cramped, and team owners had begun to offer seating in the press boxes to actors, friends and others who were not members of the working press. Frequently, there was no room for reporters from the visiting team. The issue came to a head during the 1908 World Series
1908 World Series
The 1908 World Series matched the defending champion Chicago Cubs against the Detroit Tigers in a rematch of the 1907 Series. In this first-ever rematch of this young event, the Cubs won in five games for their second consecutive title....
between the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
when visiting baseball writers in Chicago were seated in the back row of the grandstand and in Detroit "were compelled to climb a ladder to the roof of the first base pavillion and write in the rain and snow".
The organization was established at a meeting held at the Pontchartrain Hotel
Sheraton Detroit Riverside Hotel
The Detroit Riverside Hotel, is a closed high-rise hotel in downtown Detroit, Michigan.It is located across the street from Cobo Center and from 150 West Jefferson, as well as neighbouring Hotel Fort Shelby to the south. The building was constructed in 1965 to a height of 25 floors . It contains...
in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
on October 14, 1908, following the 1908 World Series. Jackson was selected as the organization's first president and held that position for 11 years from 1908 to 1919. When Jackson stepped down as president in October 1919, the Association presented him with "a handsome traveling bag".
Later years and death
In 1921, Jackson moved to California and worked for several years there. He died in San Francisco, CaliforniaSan Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, in June 1936. Edgar Guest
Edgar Guest
Edgar Albert Guest was a prolific English-born American poet who was popular in the first half of the 20th century and became known as the People's Poet.In 1891, Guest came with his family to the United States from England...
, known as the "People's Poet", began his writing career with the Detroit Free Press in the early 1900s. After learning of Jackson's death, Guest published a poem titled "Joe S. Jackson" which provided in part:
"Joe wrote of baseball in the years gone by
And all the sports which men and boys enjoyed.
His was the nimble brain, the watchful eye,
Mine was the poor assistance he employed
* * *
Word comes that Joe is dead. The game goes on!
Before the march of time all champions fall.
Now those he lavished praise and help upon
Only the dusty record books recall.
Selected articles by Jackson
- Baseball's Tangled Tale, Pugilism's Bright Vista, Detroit Free Press, December 15, 1901
- Michigan 12, Wisconsin 0 -- Only Chicago To Brush Aside Now, Detroit Free Press, November 19, 1905
- An Optimistic View Hugh Jennings Takes of His Work for '07 (Hughie JenningsHughie JenningsHugh Ambrose Jennings was a Major League Baseball player and manager from 1891 to 1925. Jennings was a leader, both as a batter and as a shortstop, with the Baltimore Orioles teams that won National League championships in 1894, 1895, and 1896. During the three championship seasons, Jennings had...
/1907 Detroit Tigers1907 Detroit Tigers seasonThe 1907 Detroit Tigers won the American League pennant with a record of 92-58, but lost to the Chicago Cubs in the 1907 World Series, four games to none . The season was their 7th since they entered the American League in 1901.- Offseason :...
), Detroit Free Press, September 23, 1906 - White Sox Conquerors (1906 World Series1906 World Series- Game 1 :Tuesday, October 9, 1906 at West Side Grounds in Chicago, IllinoisCubs hurler Mordecai Brown was sent to continue the dominance against Nick Altrock. Both pitchers pitched a perfect game through three innings. The Cubs had a runner at second, but couldn't score in the fourth...
), October 15, 1906 - Darkness Stops Opening Contest (1907 World Series1907 World SeriesThe 1907 World Series featured the Chicago Cubs and the Detroit Tigers, with the Cubs winning the Series four games to none for their first championship....
), Detroit Free Press, October 9, 1907 - Opportune Hits Give Victory To Cubs (1907 World Series), Detroit Free Press, October 10, 1907
- Hope for Tiges Gets Severe Setback (1907 World Series), Detroit Free Press, October 12, 1907
- Cobb All But Loses Crown (1907 AL batting crown), Detroit Free Press, November 19, 1907
- Awful Ninth Beats Tiges (1908 World Series1908 World SeriesThe 1908 World Series matched the defending champion Chicago Cubs against the Detroit Tigers in a rematch of the 1907 Series. In this first-ever rematch of this young event, the Cubs won in five games for their second consecutive title....
), Detroit Free Press, October 11, 1908 - Tigers' Farewell Dinner Proves a Grand Success (1908 World Series), Detroit Free Press, October 18, 1908
- Michigan's Worst Defeat of the Yost Regime, Detroit Free Press, November 15, 1908
- http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/freep/access/1748333902.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+03%2C+1909&author=&pub=Detroit+Free+Press+(1858-1922)&desc=Game+Is+Peculiar+Medley+of+Hitting%2C+Erratic+Play+and+Reckless+Base+Running--Tiges+Go+at+Top+Speed+Until+They+Catch+Sox%2C+Then+Make+It+an+Easy+Finish.&pqatl=googleGame Is Peculiar Medley of Hitting, Erratic Play and Reckless Base Running--Tiges Go at Top Speed Until They Catch Sox, Then Make It an Easy Finish], Detroit Free Press, October 3, 1909
- Tiges Lose the First, But Still Look Good (1909 World Series1909 World SeriesThe 1909 World Series featured the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Tigers. The Pirates won the Series in seven games to capture their first championship of the modern Major League Baseball era and the second championship in the club's history....
), Detroit Free Press, October 9, 1909 - Playing at Their Proper Gait, Tigers Take Second Game, 7 to 2 (1909 World Series), Detroit Free Press, October 10, 1909
- Tiges Make It Even in a Nerve-Racking Fight with Pirates (1909 World Series), Detroit Free Press, October 15, 1909
- Game Today Decides Ownership of Title (1909 World Series), October 16, 1909
- Tigers Loss Saw-Off Game in Big Series (1909 World Series), Detroit Free Press, October 17, 1909
- Home Grown Cuban Ball Players Are Real Money Kings (Baseball in Cuba), Detroit Free Press, November 21, 1909
- First Time at Bat for Schmidt Gives Detroit a Victory: Sent Up With Bases Filled and Two Down, Coal Hill Boy Hits Two Home and Cinches It for His Team (Boss SchmidtBoss SchmidtCharles "Boss" Schmidt was an American catcher in Major League Baseball who played six seasons with the Detroit Tigers ....
), Detroit Free Press, May 6, 1910 - New Outlaw: Washington Reports Such a League Move; A Proposition to Revive Lawson's Union League Scheme With a Purely Eastern Circuit, Including Some Major League Cities, Sporting Life, December 1911, page 12
- The Claims of the Lawyer-Leader of the Base Ball Players' Fraternity Riddled By a Scribe's Recital of the Cold Facts (Dave FultzDave FultzDavid Lewis Fultz was a center fielder in Major League Baseball who played in the National League with the Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles , and for the Philadelphia Athletics and New York Highlanders of the American League. He batted and threw right-handed...
), Sporting Life, November 16, 1912, page 10 - The Spurt of the Tigers Due Wholly to Great Batttng -- Young Pitchers Who Look Good -- Infield Again Broken Up (Detroit's "wrecking crew" outfield of Veach, Cobb, Crawford), Sporting Life, May 1, 1915, page 7
- Detroit Dash for the Pennant (1916 Detroit Tigers season1916 Detroit Tigers seasonThe Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished third in the American League with a record of 87-67, 4 games behind the Boston Red Sox.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
), Sporting Life, September 23, 1916, page 6 - President Navin Preparing for Real War -- Hold-Out Players Will Have Further Reduction in Salary to Face -- List of Players Signed Sporting Life, February 10, 1917, page 7
- Turner to Quit Grand Old Game, With His Record Just as Grand (Terry TurnerTerry TurnerTerrance Lamont Turner was an infielder in Major League Baseball who played between 1901 and 1919 for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Cleveland Naps/Indians and Philadelphia Athletics . Turner batted and threw right-handed...
), Detroit Free Press, August 27, 1918 - Jimmie Burke Finds Dying Year One to Recall With No Regrets (Jimmy BurkeJimmy BurkeJimmy Burke is the name of:*James Burke , Irish-American gangster*Jimmy Burke , American baseball player...
), Detroit Free Press, August 28, 1918 - With Vitt, Young, Burns, Bush: Infield in a Winter League Tale (Ossie VittOssie VittOscar Joseph "Ossie" Vitt , was a Major League Baseball third baseman in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox . Vitt later became manager of the Cleveland Indians , where he sometimes clashed with his players.-Playing career:Ossie Vitt was a product of the sandlots of...
/Donie BushDonie BushOwen Joseph "Donie" Bush , was a Major League Baseball shortstop in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and the Washington Senators...
), Detroit Free Press, September 18, 1918 - Sob Story is Wasted On Ellison; Still On Ocean's Quieter Shore (Babe EllisonBabe EllisonHerbert Spencer "Babe" Ellison, aka Bert Ellison was a Major League Baseball player for the Detroit Tigers from 1916-1920, and went on to be a star with the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League, where he played from 1921-1927...
), Detroit Free Press, September 20, 1918 - House Cleaning of National Game Begins With Trial in Chase Case (Hal ChaseHal ChaseHarold Homer Chase , nicknamed "Prince Hal", was a first baseman in Major League Baseball, widely viewed as the best fielder at his position...
), Detroit Free Press, September 21, 1918 - Can a Star Ball Player Come Back After Year Out? Cobb, Away Now After Best Season, May Answer, Detroit Free Press, September 22, 1918
- Vitt Breaks Into Shipyards Ball; League at Coast is a Major Now (Ossie VittOssie VittOscar Joseph "Ossie" Vitt , was a Major League Baseball third baseman in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox . Vitt later became manager of the Cleveland Indians , where he sometimes clashed with his players.-Playing career:Ossie Vitt was a product of the sandlots of...
), Detroit Free Press, October 1, 1918 - Into the Future A Cleric Peers; Vista, Sad to Him, Cheer to Sport, Detroit Free Press, October 3, 1918
- Service Flag of One Detroit Team Shows 14 Stars, One of Them Gold (Detroit Heralds), Detroit Free Press, October 4, 1918
- Hughie's War Work Over the Seas May Mean End of Baseball Career (Hughie JenningsHughie JenningsHugh Ambrose Jennings was a Major League Baseball player and manager from 1891 to 1925. Jennings was a leader, both as a batter and as a shortstop, with the Baltimore Orioles teams that won National League championships in 1894, 1895, and 1896. During the three championship seasons, Jennings had...
), Detroit Free Press, October 5, 1918 - http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/freep/access/1782316012.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+06%2C+1918&author=&pub=Detroit+Free+Press+(1858-1922)&desc=OVERLOOKED+BECAUSE+OF+GENERAL+STRENGTH+OF+NINE%2C+BUSH+AND+VEACH+HAVE+CREDIT+DUE+NOT+OFTEN+GIVEN+FOR+THEIR+SHARE+IN+WONDERFUL+ATTACK+ON+BENGALS&pqatl=googleOverlooked Because of General Strength of Nine, Bush and Veach Have Credit Due Not Often Given for Their Share in Wonderful Attack on Bengals] (Donie BushDonie BushOwen Joseph "Donie" Bush , was a Major League Baseball shortstop in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and the Washington Senators...
/Bobby VeachBobby VeachRobert Hayes "Bobby" Veach was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who played fourteen seasons for the Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees and Washington Senators ....
), October 6, 1918 - STANAGE CAN MAKE FOUR BOASTS SHOULD HE QUIT NOW TWO LEAGUE MARKS ARE SAFE IN MITT OF OSCAR VITT (Oscar StanageOscar StanageOscar Harland Stanage was a Major League Baseball catcher. Born in Tulare, California, Stanage played fourteen seasons in the Major Leagues, primarily with the Detroit Tigers...
), Detroit Free Press, October 13, 1918 - JESS' LAZING HURTING GATE OF BIG FIGHT (Jess WillardJess WillardJess Willard was a world heavyweight boxing champion. He won the heavyweight title from Jack Johnson in April 1915 and lost it to Jack Dempsey in July 1919....
/Jack DempseyJack DempseyWilliam Harrison "Jack" Dempsey was an American boxer who held the world heavyweight title from 1919 to 1926. Dempsey's aggressive style and exceptional punching power made him one of the most popular boxers in history. Many of his fights set financial and attendance records, including the first...
fight in Toledo), Detroit Free Press, June 25, 1919 - SIGNS OF LIFE BEING SHOWN IN FIGHT CITY (Willard/Demsey), Detroit Free Press, June 29, 1919
- TOLEDO FIGHT SETS RECORD FOR FREAKS (Willard/Dempsey), Detroit Free Press, July 1, 1919
- ALL TOLEDO HOT ON TRAIL OF ALIEN COIN (Willard/Dempsey), Detroit Free Press, July 2, 1919
- SIDELIGHTS OF THE CONTEST ON SHORES OF MAUMEE BAY (Willard/Dempsey), Detroit Free Press, July 5, 1919
- http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/freep/access/1774889292.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Aug+10%2C+1919&author=&pub=Detroit+Free+Press+(1858-1922)&desc=Tyrus+Cobb%2C+Through+Thirteen+Point+Gain+Past+Week%2C+Again+Leads+the+Batters+CHAMPION+SLUGGER+IS+CLOSELY+FOLLOWED+BY+SISLER+AND+VEACH--DETROIT+HAS+FOUR+HITTERS+IN+THE+300+CLASS+NOW&pqatl=googleTyrus Cobb, Through Thirteen Point Gain Past Week, Again Leads the Batters; Champion Slugger Is Closely Followed by Sisler and Veach -- Detroit Has Four Hitters in the 300 Class Now] (Ty Cobb), Detroit Free Press, August 10, 1919
- Sidelights on Game (1919 World Series1919 World SeriesThe 1919 World Series matched the American League champion Chicago White Sox against the National League champion Cincinnati Reds. Although most World Series have been of the best-of-seven format, the 1919 World Series was a best-of-nine series...
), October 6, 1919