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Zack Wheat

Outfield
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Brooklyn
  • Team: Superbas
  • League: National League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Zachariah Davis Wheat (1888-1972) starred in left field for the Brooklyn Superbas/Robins/Dodgers and still holds team bests in hits, doubles, triples, RBI and total bases. Wheat defied the Deadball trend of choking up on the bat, swinging away with a “smashing swipe” according to one reporter. Yet, his stylish fielding drew the most praise (“the finest craftsman of them all.”)

  • 5 of his 9 HRs in 1914 were over the fence, rare in that era
  • Again defying tradition, used a light (40oz) bat and a wrist-snap unheard of then
  • Survived long enough to see the lively ball, hitting .357 at age 37
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1959

Auction History

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T201 Mecca Canvas: Zack Wheat

Jake Daubert

First Base
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Brooklyn
  • Team: Superbas
  • League: National League

Jacob Ellsworth Daubert (1884-1924) is considered by some the best first-baseman NOT in the Hall. His fielding was never below .989, he led the NL in batting 1913 & ’14, and was MVP in ’13. Seven times from 1911-19 he was named to Baseball Magazine’s All-America team. Popular with players and fans, his union activity alienated mgmt.

  • Charles Ebbetts sent him from Brooklyn to the Reds in 1919 following a salary dispute
  • Became ill and died during his final road trip with the Reds in 1924

Auction History

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T201 Mecca Canvas: Jake Daubert

Bill Dahlen

Shortstop
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Brooklyn
  • Team: Superbas
  • League: National League

William Fredrick Dahlen (1870-1950) retired after 21 years for four ML clubs having played in more games than any other big leaguer. He was one of the most productive hitters of his era and a prolific shortstop (7,500 assists, 13,325 chances—still the record.) His 42-game hitting streak in 1894 is still the longest by a NL right-hander. “Bad Bill” (a fiery temper) led Brooklyn to titles his first two years with the franchise and finished his superb career as the Superbas’ player-manager 1910-13. Getting his wish to play for the Giants, he led the league in RBI in 1904 and provided great defense in the team’s first World Series win in ‘05.

  • Dahlen is still being considered for Cooperstown. He came close in 2012, falling two votes short
  • That year SABR’s 19th Century Committee named him the “Overlooked 19th Century Baseball Legend” recognizing great early players not in the Hall of Fame

Auction History

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T201 Mecca Canvas: Ralph Stroud

Bill Bergen

Catcher
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Brooklyn
  • Team: Superbas
  • League: National League

William Aloysius Bergen (1878-1943) spent 11 years in the majors carving out a special spot in the record books: worst hitter of all time. No one with more than 2500 ABs ever went lower than Bergen’s .170 lifetime average. And it wasn’t even close. Pitcher Pud Galvin is next at 201.

  • Bergen’s two career HRs were inside-the-park
  • Until Mark Lemke in 1997, no one surpassed Bergen’s record of not being hit-by-pitch in 3228 ABs
  • Bergen played 11 years because he was one of the game’s best defensive catchers

Auction History

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T201 Mecca Canvas: Bill Bergen