Joe Jackson

Outfield
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Cleveland
  • Team: Naps
  • League: American League

Joseph Jefferson Wofford Jackson (1887-1951) had the “perfectest” swing according to Babe Ruth who copied it. After nearly a century of more contenders, many would still say Shoeless Joe was the purest hitter ever to wield a baseball bat. Expelled from baseball by Judge Landis, Jackson lives in infamy despite demonstrating prowess at the plate and grace afield. While he will ever be branded with the “Black Sox,” Jackson stirred passions that still echo in baseball today.

  • Still ranks as the third-highest career batting average in history (.356)
  • His .408 average in 1911, his rookie season, is sixth-highest in the modern era

Auction History

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T201 Mecca Canvas: Ed Fitzpatrick

Hughie Jennings

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

Hugh Ambrose Jennings (1869-1928) became the premier ML SS for the Orioles in the mid-90s, hitting .401 in ’96. Nearly killed by an Amos Rusie quick-pitch, this survivor returned to be hit 46x in ’96. Irrepressibly good-natured and brilliant, Jennings was an attorney and manager after his playing days, guiding the volcanic Ty Cobb to his phenomenal career.

  • Still holds record for being hit by pitch (287)
  • Is credited with inventing the platoon system
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1945

Auction History

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T201 Mecca Canvas: Hughie Jennings

Walter Johnson

Pitcher
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Washington, D.C.
  • Team: Senators
  • League: American League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Walter Perry Johnson (1887-1946) played his entire 21-yr career for the Senators then managed them for 4 more. Ty Cobb’s first impression was of a “rube out of the cornfields.” But when the rube threw “The thing just hissed with danger.” Cobb wasn’t the last player to be stunned by this man’s fastball: Most shut-outs in MLB, 2nd in wins, 4th in complete games, etc.

  • Only member of 3000 SO club until Bob Gibson joined in 1974
  • Still holds record 12x league-leader in strikeouts
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1936

Auction History

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T201 Mecca Canvas: Walter Johnson

Addie Joss

Pitcher
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Cleveland
  • Team: Naps
  • League: American League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Adrian Joss (1880-1911) starred for Cleveland for all of his too-brief nine-year career. What his ML tenure lacked in length, Joss made up in quality. Of his 160 wins, 45 were shutouts including a perfect game and another no-hitter. His lean frame and exceptionally long arms gave him the ability to fool batters with a twisting delivery. Joss’s first game was a one (scratch) hit shutout on his way to 17 rookie victories. Won 20+ games four straight years before being plagued by ill health his final two seasons. Succumbed to TB as the 1911 season was starting.

  • Nap Lajoie said: “In Joss’s death, baseball loses one of the best pitchers and men that has ever been identified with the game.”
  • 67 years later, the Veteran’s Committee elected Addie to the Hall of Fame in 1978

 

Auction History

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T201 Mecca Canvas: James Dygert