- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Boston
- Team: Beaneaters
- League: National League
Cornelius F. Daily (1864-1928) was a veteran of 13 ML seasons as a reliable and beloved catcher for some of the most colorful teams of his day. He caught Old Hoss Radbourn with the Providence Grays and moved with his battery mate to the Beaneaters in 1886. Later, Con was a favorite of John Montgomery Ward, playing for Ward’s Wonders in Brooklyn in the short-lived Players’ League and accompanied Ward when the new NL Brooklyn franchise beckoned. The Brooklyn Eagle recounted numerous stories of Daily’s exploits that endeared him to the home folks. Club president Charles Byrne said of Con “He is quite an all around player, a hard batter and a fine base runner.” Indeed, Daily is still regarded as the fleetest of foot at his position in Dodger franchise history, having been credited with 94 career steals (albeit in a very different era than today).
- In ’95 Daily survived a near-fatal accident diving into the surf at Sheepshead Bay. The local paper noted that he had saved a girl from drowning near the same spot only weeks earlier
- Daily’s ML tenure ended in 1896 with a brief stint with Cap Anson’s Chicago club
- Series: Diamond Heads '15
- City: Pittsburgh
- Team: Pirates
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Bernhard Dreyfuss (1865-1932) embodied the American Dream. An immigrant Jew escaping Prussian army service, he arrived in the USA with little money and a job promise from relatives in a Kentucky distillery. He learned the language and fell in love with the national game, gradually building a stake in the local Louisville Colonels franchise. In the tumultuous lead-up to modern baseball, Dreyfuss seized the opportunity to acquire the Pittsburgh club and moved his top players to the Steel City: Honus Wagner, Fred Clarke, Rube Waddell, Deacon Phillippe, Tommy Leach and others. No wonder Branch Rickey said Dreyfuss was the “best judge of players” he had ever seen. With that corps of elite athletes, Dreyfuss built a powerhouse on the banks of the Allegheny and, in 1909, built the finest baseball venue in the country: Forbes Field. His Pirates beat Cobb’s Tigers in that year’s Series and Dreyfuss would gain one more title in 1925.
- Many credit Dreyfuss as the genius behind the establishment of the Fall Classic
- Was beloved by fans and players to whom he showed great generosity
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 2008
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: New York
- Team: Giants
- League: National League
Lawrence Joseph Doyle (1886-1974) was one of the premier 2nd basemen of the NL for much of his 14 yr career, most of it with the Giants. Led the league in several hitting categories including BA in ’15, hits in ’09. He also won 3 pennants and was MVP in 1912. His .290 lifetime avg. was 4th among veteran 2nd basemen.
- Still holds modern Giant record for triples in a season — 25 in 1911
- In 1913 became 1st to hit a HR out of the Polo Grounds
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T201 Mecca Canvas: Larry Doyle
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Philadelphia
- Team: Phillies
- League: National League
Charles Sebastian Dooin (1879-1952) played nearly all of his long and successful catching career for the Phillies, 1902-14. He batted .240, managed the club for 5 years and nurtured the young Grover Cleveland Alexander in his early years. Still holds the Phillies team record for games caught. Despite his small stature, was known for his fearless plate-blocking.
- Dooin always claimed Roger Bresnahan got the idea for shin guards from him in 1906
- After the Depression wiped out his wealth, used his rich baritone on the vaudeville circuit
Auction History
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T201 Mecca Canvas: Red Doin
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Detroit
- Team: Tigers
- League: American League
William Edward Donovan (1876-1923) paid a $10 fine for earning his nickname, awarded after walking 9 straight for his minor league Hartford team. He went on to a fine ML career over 18 years with 4 clubs as player & manager. He emerged from Brooklyn’s bullpen obscurity to compile a 25-15, 2.77 ERA record in 1901 & really came into his own with the Tigers from ’03-12. He led his team & the AL with a 25-4 mark in ’07, still the franchise’s best winning %. Like his Detroit mates, Donovan struggled in his World Series opportunities, going 1-4 & earning the dubious distinction of losing two straight finales in ’08 and ’09. Until his arm gave out in ’12, Donovan was a consistent closer & still ranks 50th all-time in complete games.
- Donovan stayed in baseball as manager of the New Haven Profs in the EL. He was en route to Chicago for winter meetings when he died in a train wreck of the 20th Century Limited
- Lifetime: 378 games, 186 Ws with 289 completed & a 2.69 ERA
Auction History
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T201 Mecca Canvas: Wild Bill Donovan
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