Epilogue
Selee’s old rival Jim Hart was now GM of the Chicago Orphans (Cubs) and inserted Selee as manager. He spent four years with the team but wasn't able to change their fortunes.
Hart’s health was failing, and he wanted to sell the team. Selee contemplated buying it but had health issues of his own. He moved to Colorado, bought an interest in a minor league team there, and managed the team for three years.
Selee died on July 5, 1909, in Denver. Ninety years later, a Veteran’s Committee awarded him a plaque in the Hall of Fame.
That’s a Wrap
We watch Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker talk about the team and his players, and can tell how much he cares for them as a group and as individuals. It feels as if Selee was that kind of man as well.
It was a different time with a different society. He inherited a group of hard-drinking, hard-partying, loud, and rough men. He was teetotal and the son of a preacher, but unlike some of the game's founders who would fine a player for drinking or swearing, Selee understood they were his to lead, not judge.
Selee found and signed at least a half-dozen future Hall of Famers, and his 1004-649-24 record with five NL titles as Boston’s manager is second only to that of Bobby Cox. I think that’s pretty good work.