• A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z

Jimmy Collins

Third Base
  • Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
  • City: Boston
  • Team: Beaneaters
  • League: National League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

James Joseph Collins (1870-1943) was the best in the NL at 3B when he jumped to the new AL in 1901. Collins led the Boston Americans to the 1st World Series championship in ’03, downing Pittsburgh in best-of-nine. Thanks to John McGraw’s stubborn refusal to play the next year’s AL winner, Boston was denied another opportunity despite its 1st place finish.

  • The dust-up between leagues resulted in rules beginning in 1905 making the Series the permanent premier event in Major League Baseball
  • Upon his induction into the HOF Collins became the first regular third-baseman so honored
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1945

Auction History

Ed Cogswell

First Base
  • Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
  • City: Boston
  • Team: Red Stockings (NAPBBP)
  • League: National League

Edward Cogswell (1854-1888) was an England-born right-handed first baseman for the Boston Red Stockings, debuting in the majors in July 1879. That season he achieved the sixth highest batting average in the NL. He played two more years for short-lived NL teams, the Troy Trojans and Worcester “Ruby Legs” Worcesters.

  • Was the senior member of the Ruby Legs at age 28
  • Died in Fitchburg MA at age 34

Auction History

John Clarkson

Pitcher
  • Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
  • City: Boston
  • Team: Beaneaters
  • League: National League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

John Gibson Clarkson (1861-1909) won 328 games, won the triple crown in 1889 and twice pitched more than 600 innings in a season. In 1885, John appeared in 70 games, threw 68 complete games, 623 innings, won 53, had an ERA of 1.85, a no-hitter, and won the pennant. Apparently having to hurl the sphere a mere fifty feet was a tonic to the arm. But unlike so many pitchers of his era, Clarkson didn’t flame out from such prodigious labor on the mound. From 1885-92 he AVERAGED 36 wins per season and would win 30+ an extraordinary six times. This great career began with the Worcester Ruby Legs in 1882, flowered with Cap Anson’s Sox in ‘84 and fully bloomed in Boston when John followed his ace catcher King Kelly to the Beaneaters in ‘88. League politics that culminated in the Players’ League revolt took a toll on Clarkson’s reputation and sundered his friendship with Kelly as the hurler remained loyal to the Nationals.

  • Cleveland acquired John in 1892 allowing him to team with Cy Young. Chief Zimmer, who caught Young for a decade, proclaimed Clarkson the best he ever saw
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1963

Auction History

Dan Casey

Pitcher
  • Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
  • City: Philadelphia
  • Team: Quakers
  • League: National League

Daniel Maurice Casey (1862-1943) was dubbed by Time “the Mudville Man” and helped inaugurate the Hall of Fame in 1939 with a stirring re-enactment of Casey at the Bat. Whether he was Ernest Thayer’s model or not, Casey was a fine pitcher for the Philadelphia Quakers, leading the NL in ERA in 1887. He pitched 7 years for 4 teams, won 96 games with two 20+ seasons.

  • Became a candidate for THAT Casey by striking out, breaking Quakers fans’ hearts 8/21/87
  • The week prior, Casey had won the game with his only career HR, inspiring the fans’ hopes
  • In ’87 he won 28 of the 45 games he started, with a 2.86 ERA in 390 innings

Auction History

Jesse Burkett

Outfield
  • Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
  • City: Cleveland
  • Team: Spiders
  • League: National League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Jesse “the Crab” Burkett (1868-1953) was a Hall of Fame outfielder from 1890 to 1905. Following Ed Delahanty, Burkett became the second major leaguer to hit .400 twice (‘95 &’96 for the Cleveland Spiders.) Led the NL with .376 in 1901 while with the St Louis Cardinals.

  • Still holds MLB record for inside-the-park HRs with 55
  • First West Virginian elected to Hall of Fame
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1946

Auction History