- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Boston
- Team: Red Sox
- League: American League
Howard Ellsworth “Smoky Joe” Wood (1889-1985) was honored at age 95 with a doctorate from Yale, the institution for whom he coached for 20 years following his ML career. In 1912 for the Red Sox, Wood joined an elite list of 30-game winners, going 34-5. In one of the most dramatic duels ever, Wood defeated Walter Johnson 1-0, himself fresh off a 16-game win streak, gaining his 14th straight and would go on to tie Johnson’s AL record string. Wood then climaxed his phenomenal year by leading the Sox over McGraw’s Giants in a Series for the ages at brand-new Fenway Park.
- A broken thumb in ’13 left Wood impaired, but he went on to a fine OF role for the Indians
- Said Walter Johnson: “No man alive can throw harder than Smoky Joe Wood.”
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Tommy Clarke
- 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
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Boston
- Team: Red Sox
- League: American League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Harry Bartholomew Hooper (1887-1974) anchored right field for one of the best outfields in baseball for the Red Sox with Tris Speaker and Duffy Lewis from 1910-15. Still holds Boston club records for triples and SBs. Entered the Hall of Fame in 1971 with 2466 hits and a career .281 BA.
- First player to lead-off both games of a doubleheader with a home run
- With Heinie Wagner, was part of a record four Sox World Series championships
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Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Roy Miller
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Boston
- Team: Doves
- League: National League
Charles Lincoln Herzog (1885-1953) was loved and hated by John McGraw: “I hate his guts, but I want him on my club.” Traded 3x and brought back to the Giants twice, this most versatile of infielders played with a fire matched by few of his era. His 1,493 career games were equally divided between 2nd, 3rd and shortstop.
- Herzog’s 12 hits in the 1912 Series stood as the record for half a century
- Always a shrewd negotiator, signed a record $12K minor league contract in 1920
Auction History
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T201 Mecca Canvas: Buck Herzog
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Boston
- Team: Red Sox
- League: American League
William Lawrence Gardner (1886-1976) is celebrated in his hometown of Enosburg Falls, VT as the best baseball player to come out of the Green Mt state. He anchored 3B for the Red Sox and Indians winning 4 world titles. Was the hero of the 1912 Series, driving in the winning run after two Giants’ miscues in the 10th inning.
- Gardner’s 3 hits propelled rookie Babe Ruth to his 1st win as a Red Sox pitcher
- Ruth beat Walter Johnson 1-0 three times in 1916, the last via Gardner’s 13th inning hit
- Claims to have hit a HR off Jack Coombs in Ebbets Field with his eyes closed
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Larry Gardner
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