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Kid Elberfeld

Third Base
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Washington, D.C.
  • Team: Senators
  • League: American League

Norman Arthur Elberfeld (1875-1944), nicknamed the “Tabasco Kid” for his fiery temper and violent outbursts against umpires, covered 2nd base with a ferocity that daunted even Ty Cobb – who never slid head-first again after losing an encounter with Elberfeld’s spikes. Played mostly SS for 7 teams, 1898-1914 and was a solid hitter (.271 lifetime).

  • Never afraid to take a spike, a punch or a pitch, he still ranks 13th on hit-batter list
  • Career stats suffered from frequent suspensions and injuries
  • Had a knack for mentoring young players, including rookie Casey Stengel

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Kid Elberfeld

Bill Donovan

Pitcher
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Detroit
  • Team: Tigers
  • League: American League

William Edward Donovan (1876-1923) paid a $10 fine for earning his nickname, awarded after walking 9 straight for his minor league Hartford team. He went on to a fine ML career over 18 years with 4 clubs as player & manager. He emerged from Brooklyn’s bullpen obscurity to compile a 25-15, 2.77 ERA record in 1901 & really came into his own with the Tigers from ’03-12. He led his team & the AL with a 25-4 mark in ’07, still the franchise’s best winning %. Like his Detroit mates, Donovan struggled in his World Series opportunities, going 1-4 & earning the dubious distinction of losing two straight finales in ’08 and ’09. Until his arm gave out in ’12, Donovan was a consistent closer & still ranks 50th all-time in complete games.

  • Donovan stayed in baseball as manager of the New Haven Profs in the EL. He was en route to Chicago for winter meetings when he died in a train wreck of the 20th Century Limited
  • Lifetime: 378 games, 186 Ws with 289 completed & a 2.69 ERA

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Wild Bill Donovan

Sam Crawford

Outfield
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Detroit
  • Team: Tigers
  • League: American League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Samuel Earl Crawford (1880-1968) needed a couple more weeks among his 19 ML seasons to reach 3000 hits, finishing with 2961 and the all-time record for triples. “Wahoo Sam” teamed with Ty Cobb for 3 straight Series appearances ‘07-09. Neither did well or won a title. Nevertheless, the renowned manager who made Babe Ruth an outfielder said there was never a better hitter than Crawford. This Nebraska farm kid was considered the strongest hitter of his day and consistently ranked in the top 10 in slugging.

  • Playing in the big Deadball Era parks, speedy Crawford set the record for inside-the-park HRs
  • Debuting with Cincinnati in 1899, Crawford hit .307 as the youngest player in the majors
  • A model of moderation, he rarely struck out, walked or reacted to teammate Cobb’s tirades
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1957

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Sam Crawford

Jack Coombs

Pitcher
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Philadelphia
  • Team: Athletics (AL)
  • League: American League

John Wesley Coombs (1882-1957) pitched for the Athletics, Robins and Tigers over 13 years, but it was his magical 1910 season that made a permanent mark on MLB. 31-9, 1.30 ERA, 353 innings, 35 CG, and the still standing record of 13 shutouts. A year for the ages!

  • In one 16-day stretch in 1910 he pitched 10 complete games and relieved in 2 more
  • Went on to a successful college coaching career till forced to retire from Duke at age 70

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Jack Coombs

Tom Connolly

Umpire
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • League: American League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Thomas Henry Connolly (1870-1961) was a young English immigrant who became so fascinated by the strange game of baseball that he resolved to learn as much as he could about it. He devoured the rule book, began umpiring in Massachusetts and was discovered by a big league ump. So began a half-century career ending with election to the Hall of Fame as one of the first two officials so honored (with Bill Klem).

  • Found his niche in the American League, officiating its first game on April 24, 1901
  • From 1931 to 1954 was AL supervisor of umpires, assuring integrity and consistency in the game he knew as well as any man
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1953

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Jerry Downs