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Connie Mack

Manager
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Philadelphia
  • Team: Athletics (AL)
  • League: American League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr. (1862-1956). An average catcher with strong leadership skills for 11 professional seasons (1886-1896), Mack then owned (1901-1954) and managed (1901-1950) the Philadelphia Athletics for half a century, establishing many managerial records and a unique place in the pantheon of baseball icons in the 20th century.

  • 5x World Series Champion
  • Most Managerial Wins: 3,731
  • Most Managerial Losses: 3,948
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1937

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Pat Dougherty

Jack Lapp

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

John Walker Lapp (1884-1920) was a catcher for the White Sox and Athletics from 1908-16. Played a key role in Philadelphia’s 1911 Series win, catching 2 overtime games. Set a record with 5 runners caught stealing in game 3. Usually a reserve, he still caught over 500 games over his 9-yr. career.

  • Career batting average of .263
  • Won 3 world championships with the Athletics: 1910, 1911, & 1913

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Jack Lapp

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

Eddie Collins

Second Base
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Philadelphia
  • Team: Athletics (AL)
  • League: American League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Edward Trowbridge Collins Sr. (1887-1951) was sold by Connie Mack to the White Sox in 1915 for the amazing sum of $50,000. His salary put him behind only Cobb and Speaker. He left the “$100,000 infield” of the Athletics for what would become the most notorious team in MLB history. He never believed the rumored “fix” for the Sox in 1919 and survived the scandal to lead the team in its aftermath.

  • Only man to play for 2 teams for at least 12 yrs each
  • Spent 15 yrs as GM for the Red Sox under his friend Tom Yawkey
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1939

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Eddie Collins

Chief Bender

Pitcher
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Philadelphia
  • Team: Athletics (AL)
  • League: American League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Charles Albert Bender (1884-1954) won 212 games en route to a Hall of Fame career. He began life amid the abject poverty of a Minnesota reservation, was mentored by Pop Warner at the Carlisle Indian School and hit the majors with a bang for the Athletics in 1903. “Albert” as Connie Mack called him, beat future Hall members Cy Young and Clark Griffith compiling 17 wins in his rookie season. He led the league 3x in win percentage but was at his best under pressure. In 5 World Series, Bender won 6 games with a 2.44 ERA and completed 9 of his 10 starts.

  • Connie Mack said that of all his players he would most trust Bender to win in the clutch
  • Admired for his brilliance, Ty Cobb dubbed him the most intelligent pitcher he ever faced
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1953

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Chief Bender