- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Almendares
- Team: Blues (CUNL)
- League: Cuban National League
- Hall: Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame, National Baseball Hall of Fame
Jose de la Caridad Mendez (1887-1928) visited America from his native Cuba in 1908 and demolished the ML Cincinnati Reds and minor league all-stars from Florida. He was unbeaten, untied, and unscored upon. He allowed but a single to Miller Huggins in the 9th inning of his first game on US soil, and hurled a no-hitter in Key West. Ira Thomas, catcher for the 2-time world champion Athletics, compared Mendez favorably to Walter Johnson and said “he is a remarkable pitcher, and if he were a white man would command a good position on any Major League club in the circuits.”
- Became a star in the Negro Leagues, leading the KC Monarchs to pennants in ’23, ’24, and ‘25
- The Cuban “Black Diamond’s” career spanned 1908-26
- Elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in its inaugural class: 1939
- Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame: 2006
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Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: John Kling
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Pittsburgh
- Team: Pirates
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
William Boyd McKechnie (1886-1965) was a noted baseball strategist and the only manager to lead three teams to NL pennants. Won World Series titles with two clubs: the ’25 Pirates and ’40 Reds. A player, manager and then coach for nearly half a century, “the Deacon” was known for his temperance and piety.
- Served as coach for young Indians manager, Lou Boudreau, winning the ’48 Series
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1962
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Mike Simon
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: New York
- Team: Giants
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
John Joseph McGraw (1873-1934) was an innovative player (the hit-and-run, the “Baltimore chop”) but went on to true greatness as a manager for Baltimore and, most noteworthy, the NY Giants. Only Connie Mack’s teams won more games and no NL manager approached him. Not shabby as a hitter (ranks 3rd all time behind Ted Williams and Babe Ruth in OBP), has been called “the best player to become a great manager.”
- Played for and/or managed ten NL pennant winners
- Upon his death, McGraw’s wife discovered a list of all the African-American players he wanted to sign but was prevented
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1937
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Al Mattern
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Newark
- Team: Indians (EL)
- League: Eastern League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Joseph Jerome McGinnity (1871-1929) still holds the NL record for complete games (48) and innings pitched (434) for John McGraw’s Giants. This literal and figurative “iron man” (he worked off seasons in a foundry) won 246 games with an ERA of 2.66. Pitching both ends of doubleheaders was routine for this Irish immigrant. In 1904 he won 10 of the Giants’ first 21 games.
- Known as an even better fielder, McGinnity transformed his position with his quality of defense
- Part of one World Series win, two NL pennants, and was a five-time NL wins champion
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1946
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Joe McGinnity
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Newark
- Team: Indians (EL)
- League: Eastern League
George Lewis McCarty (1888-1930) was a catcher for the Brooklyn Superbas/Robins, Giants and Cardinals from 1913-1921. His best year was 1916 when he tied for the NL lead with a .339 BA, but fell short of the number of ABs to qualify. With Brooklyn, McCarty played under former catcher Wilbert Robinson with teammate Casey Stengel.
- In 1916 McCarty was traded away to NY from the pennant-bound Robins for Fred Merkle
- The Giants won the pennant in ’17 and McCarty hit .400 in the Series
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Lew McCarty
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