Matt wrote:
> 1941 Offseason News
>
> This past November, White Sox Hall of
> Fame pitcher Andrew Murphy, who won
> 339 games with a 2.10 ERA over his career,
> was defeated as a Republican candidate
> for the House of Representatives from Illinois.
Defeated? Murph? In Illinois, in his home district where he's a Beloved Hero? You jest~!
> Just weeks after his defeat, his former
> teammate and outspoken member of the
> Black Sox 8, Kelly Bracky, died of heart
> failure in his suburban Chicago home.
> Murphy and most of his fellow teammates
> from the 1919 and 1920 White Sox attended
> the funeral. Notedly absent was Commissioner
> Kennesaw Landis and all other representatives
> of Major League Baseball.
As was Jed Burke, continuing his long standing policy of having no involvement with baseball since his retirement in 1921. In his only public statement on the matter, he indicated he would have "no comment" about Bracky out of respect for his widow and children. He did restate his often quoted comment that there was "a special place in hell for Eddie Whalen, Fred Glass and Charles Commiskey."
There remains a question on whether Burke would show up to the HOF induction ceremony if elected. Andrew Murphy has been quoted as saying he would do whatever it would take to get Burke there if it happened. Murphy is the only former White Sox player or employee that Burke remains in contact with.
John