$35.00
| /
Officially-licensed Philadelphia Athletics 1931 Royal Blue Clean Up from ‘47 Brand. Features a curved brim, relaxed crown and a fabric strap closure.
In case you're unfamiliar with the legend of how the White Elephant mascot came to be, here is the story:
When the A’s joined the American League in its first year of existence in 1901, team owner Benjamin Shibe wasted little time in offering exorbitant contracts to star National Leaguers, in effect raiding them of their talent. John McGraw, who managed the Giants of the National League, was disgusted by Shibe’s actions, but thought that spending so much money was going to tank the team.
While speaking to a reporter in 1902, McGraw stated that Shibe had a “big white elephant” on his hands. The term, popular back then, described something that looked nice but whose upkeep made it impossible to take care of. Connie Mack heard what McGraw had said and showing that he had an outstanding sense of humor, ordered all Athletic's gear to carry a white elephant on it.
By the time the 1905 World Series came around, it was obvious that the A’s were a profitable franchise. And so, in playing a practical joke on McGraw, before Game 1 of the Series, McGraw was given a statue of a white elephant (see photo) at Columbia Park in Philadelphia.
