February 7, 201511 yr 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.
February 7, 201511 yr 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?
February 7, 201511 yr Author I have not found another name that he used, but I am in the early stages of researching. Thanks.
February 7, 201511 yr If it isn't in Baseball Reference, he either played under another name or didn't play with an affiliated team.
February 7, 201511 yr Author That is my assumption. So I need to look at independent leagues in the 1950s which will be a PITA
February 8, 201511 yr 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.
February 8, 201511 yr 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.
February 8, 201511 yr 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.
February 9, 201511 yr Author 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.
February 9, 201511 yr Author 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.
February 9, 201511 yr 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.
February 11, 201511 yr Author 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.
February 11, 201511 yr 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.
February 12, 201511 yr 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.
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