• Card series: Pioneer Portraits I: 1850-1874
• City: Philadelphia
• Team: Athletics (NABBP)
• League: National Association (NAPBBP)

Levi Samuel Meyerle (1849-1921) came up at the inception of the national game, playing in the National Association of Base Ball Players beginning in 1867 in Philadelphia. He made quite a mark in 1871 with the Athletics, hitting an astounding, league-best .492. In ‘73 Levi joined the city’s White Stockings club then went to Chicago’s team of the same name, reconstituted after a two-year hiatus due to the Great Fire. At every stop, Meyerle was a superb hitter. Again in ‘74 he led the league in batting. Over his career in early professional ball, Levi averaged .356 in eight seasons. He was able to play all positions, even pitching a few times, but excelled at first with his 6’1” stature.

• Meyerle was praised in his era not only for his skills with the bat but for “his quiet and gentlemanly deportment”
• Levi’s .492 mark has never been exceeded in any major league