- Series: Pilgrims
- City: New York
- Team: Giants
- League: National League
Frederick Carlisle Snodgrass (1887-1974) broke into MLB with the Giants in ’08 and became a mainstay in the outfield by virtue of his speed & hitting. As proficient as he was at bat & on base, Snodgrass spent his career mired in controversy, especially on the big stage of the World Series: intentionally spiking Frank Baker, dropping a fly ball & later bringing down the house in Fenway after defiantly challenging the home folks. That incident prompted Boston’s mayor (“Vote often and early for James Michael Curley”) to stride on field and demand Snodgrass’ ouster. Fittingly, Fred was traded to the Bosox the next season.
- Haunted throughout his life by the 1912 Series gaff, Snodgrass was spared the indignity of reading the headline on his NY Times obituary: “Fred Snodgrass, 86, Dead; Ball Player Muffed 1912 Fly.”
- Harry Hooper, Boston’s fleet slugger, was robbed by Snodgrass on the next play. Hooper always defended Snodgrass, citing numerous other miscues that led to the Giants’ loss that day
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Arthur Hoffman
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Oklahoma City
- Team: Monarchs
- 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
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Bill Abstein
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: St. Louis
- Team: Cardinals
- League: National League
Harry F. Sallee (1885-1950) set pitching marks for St. Louis that still rank him among the best in franchise history. He debuted with the Cards in ’08 and stayed into the ’16 season. His 2.67 ERA places him 3rd all-time for a club that has seen its share of stars. HOF catcher Roger Bresnahan said Sallee had “the best control of any southpaw that ever curved a ball over the plate.” Unfortunately, Slim had much less control in his personal life, witnessed by a stream of rule violations, fines, suspensions & other turmoil. It could not have helped that this star labored for an exceptionally weak team most years, as the Cards were routinely worst or near-worst in fielding & hitting (in a doubleheader with the Reds in ’08, St. Louis committed 17 errors).
- In ’13, Sallee won 19 of the club’s 51 victories while getting little support.
- Sallee’s finest hour, helping Cincinnati to the world championship in ’19, would be tarnished by the Black Sox scandal
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Albert Bridwell
- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: San Francisco
- Team: Haverlys
- League: California League
William Edward Swett (1870-1934) had impressed major-league scouts with his performance in his hometown of San Francisco. The young catcher showed great fortitude by catching all but four of the ‘88 Haverlys’ 95 games. One report noted: “He throws like a rifle shot and has any amount of nerve.” Such publicity prompted the Boston Reds to offer him $2800 to join the Players’ League franchise. This amount was said to be the most ever paid to that time to land a California recruit. Swett saw limited service for King Kelly’s 1890 champions; the league folded, and “Pop” went home. Clearly, he preferred to be a highly-regarded player out west to being overshadowed in the the big leagues. In ‘93 The Sporting Life said of him: “without doubt one of the best catchers on the coast.” Nevertheless, Swett’s commitment to the game was lacking. He took a bailiff’s job in SF, tried once more with Nashville but was out of shape. In any event the team, like the Players’ League, folded in July ‘94.
- In his only major-league season, Swett hit .191 with a HR. In seven minor league seasons he hit .238
- It is unknown how the boyish blond acquired the nickname in his early 20s
- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: Boston
- Team: Beaneaters
- League: National League
Ezra Ballou Sutton (1849-1907). A 3rd baseman & shortstop, Sutton played for 5 teams over 20 seasons. Ezra was the 1st player to hit a home run in Major League baseball, and became the 1st player to hit 2 HRs in one game when he hit his second that day (in a losing effort). Sutton was also one of the 1st ball players to collect 1,000 career hits.
- Played in 1st National Association game: 5.4.71
- Played in 1st National League game: 4.22.76
- Lifetime .294 batting average
- Sutton is tied with 17 other players as the first player in major league baseball history
Ars Longa Store
Newsletter
