- Series: 1919 Black Sox Scandal
- City: New York
- Team: Highlanders
- League: American League
Harold Homer Chase (1883-1947) may have been among the best first-basemen ever, but his “errors” place him as mediocre at best. His own words are his epitaph: “I am an outcast, and I haven’t a good name. I’m the loser, just like all gamblers are.” A star for the NY Highlanders for the first nine years of the franchise, admired by peers such as Babe Ruth and Walter Johnson, Chase even went on to out-poll dozens of later entrants into the Hall of Fame. Such was his prowess at first and plate. But his compulsion to wager, and the ease of access to illicit betting (the bookies were in the front row) consigned this great player to ignominy.
- Chase’s spiral from NY idol to deportee from Mexico evidenced his inability to stay straight in an era when the crooked path was wide and inviting
- Chase was banned from baseball for life by commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis in 1922 for his (unsubstantiated) role in the 1919 Black Sox scandal
- Despite the controversy that consumed his career, Chase received more HOF votes in 1936 than 18 future HOFers, and more votes in 1937 than 32 future HOFers, but he never appeared on the ballot again
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: New York
- Team: Highlanders
- League: American League
James Leslie Vaughn (1888-1966) threw to his catcher for an easy out in the tenth inning of a game against Cincinnati one cold afternoon in Chicago. The catcher stood with his hands at his side, the ball bounced off his chest protector and Hippo’s no-hit bid ended, along with the ballgame. The opposing pitcher, Fred Toney, recorded three more outs to get his own no-hitter. Vaughn’s response after such a curious debacle?: “…I wasn’t sore, I’s just lost another ballgame, that’s all.” Clearly Vaughn shed any disappointment as he went out the next season and led the Cubs and the league, winning the “triple crown” for pitchers. Hippo was one of the premier hurlers in baseball over a six year span but his loss to the Reds in the game’s only “double-no-hitter” will forever leave an indelible mark.
- Recorded five 20-win seasons en route to 178 career victories
- Pitched for NY 1908-12, Washington in 1912 and the Cubs from 1913-1921
- No one knows how this strong 6’4” 215 lb workhorse acquired the unflattering nickname
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Reuben Oldring
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: New York
- Team: Highlanders
- League: American League
Edward Francis Sweeney (1888-1947) was a catcher for the Highlanders/Yankees (1908-15) with a brief return with the Pirates in 1919 following a wartime enlistment with the Navy and stints in the minors. Fleet of foot for his position, Sweeney still holds the club record with 19 steals in 1914.
- Usually a reserve, his best year was 1913: .268 BA and 40 RBI in 117 games
- Served the city of Chicago as an electrical switchman until his death at 58
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Ed Sweeney
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: New York
- Team: Highlanders
- League: American League
Roy Allen Hartzell (1881-1961) was a versatile infielder/outfielder for the St Louis Browns and NY Highlanders (Yankees) from 1906-16. A NY Times article in 1914 called him the “handiest utility man the Yankees ever had…” After his ML career, Hartzell returned to his CO home to manage the Denver Bears.
- Was 6th in AL in RBI in 1911
- On 7/12/11 drove in 8 runs, a record that stood until Jimmy Foxx had 9 in 1933
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Roy Hartzell
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: New York
- Team: Highlanders
- League: American League
Harold Homer Chase (1883-1947) may have been among the best first-basemen ever, but his “errors” place him as mediocre at best. His own words are his epitaph: “I am an outcast, and I haven’t a good name. I’m the loser, just like all gamblers are.” A star for the NY Highlanders for the first nine years of the franchise, admired by peers such as Babe Ruth and Walter Johnson, Chase even went on to out-poll dozens of later entrants into the Hall of Fame. Such was his prowess at first and plate. But his compulsion to wager, and the ease of access to illicit betting (the bookies were in the front row) consigned this great player to ignominy.
- Chase’s spiral from NY idol to deportee from Mexico evidenced his inability to stay straight in an era when the crooked path was wide and inviting
- Chase was banned from baseball for life by commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis in 1922 for his (unsubstantiated) role in the 1919 Black Sox scandal
- Despite the controversy that consumed his career, Chase received more HOF votes in 1936 than 18 future HOFers, and more votes in 1937 than 32 future HOFers, but he never appeared on the ballot again
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Hal Chase
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