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Louis Santop

Catcher
  • Series: Diamond Heads '15
  • City: New York
  • Team: Lincoln Giants
  • League: Independent
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Louis Santop (Loftin) (1890-1942) was a prodigious HR slugger & indomitable catcher in the Negro Leagues. He averaged .406 lifetime, caught two of the hardest throwing pitchers of all-time (Smokey Joe Williams & Dick Redding) and endured behind the plate for an astonishing 15 seasons despite the privations and rigor of black baseball in America in his day. A jovial giant, Top was a fan favorite & sure-fire draw with his ability to throw a ball over outfield fences before games & hit it even further during games.

  • It is told the Newark park had an ad promising a suit to players who hit the 440’ centerfield fence. The sign was removed after Santop hit it three times in one game
  • Played for great Negro League teams including the NY Lincoln Giants and the Hilldale Club
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 2006

Auction History

Ed Sweeney

Catcher
  • 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

Gabby Street

Catcher
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Washington, D.C.
  • Team: Senators
  • League: American League

Charles Evard Street (1882-1951) was a catcher, manager and broadcaster over a long and storied career. He made news for two stunts: catching a ball dropped from the Wash. Monument (on his 13th try) and putting himself in for one AB as mgr of the Cards in ’31, giving him the “record” of longest gap between ML appearances.

  • Led St Louis to 2 pennants and one Series win in 1931
  • Mentored Walter Johnson and, in the booth, a young Harry Caray

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Gabby Street

George Stovall

First Base
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Cleveland
  • Team: Naps
  • League: American League

George Thomas Stovall (1877-1951) played 1B with the Cleveland Naps and St Louis Browns from 1904-1913 before going over to the new Federal League for two final years with the KC Packers. He managed at least part of a season with each team. In over 5K ABs his lifetime average was .265.

  • Homered off his brother Jesse in his rookie season (an MLB first)
  • “The Jesse James of the Federal League” recruited some top ML players to the ill-fated venture

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: George Stovall

Tris Speaker

Outfield
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Boston
  • Team: Red Sox
  • League: American League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Tristram E. Speaker (1888-1958) enjoyed a long and storied career as perhaps the greatest all-around center fielder in the game. Led the Red Sox to two titles and, upon moving to Cleveland over a salary dispute, led the Indians to a championship in 1920. He still holds MLB records for doubles and outfield assists.

  • Career batting average: .345
  • Also still holds MLB record for unassisted double plays by an outfielder
  • Speaker’s glove came to be known as “the place where triples go to die”
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1937

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Tris Speaker