Edward D. Burke (1866-1907) was a NL outfielder from 1890-1897 for the Phillies, Alleghenys, Brewers, Reds and Giants. Burke had an active year in 1893, leading the league in games played (135) and hit by pitch (25.) Burke’s best offensive year was 1896 for Cincinnati, hitting .340 in 122 games.
Charles Edwin Bassett (1863-1942) was a well-traveled infielder with the Providence Grays, Kansas City Cowboys, Indianapolis Hoosiers, the New York Giants and Louisville Colonels for nine major league seasons from 1884-92. Bassett had three fine years with the Hoosiers, getting nearly a hit a game. His most productive season was 1891 with the Giants, batting .260 in 524 at-bats. In his 917 games he drove in 402 runs and stole 116 bases.
Harold Homer Chase (1883-1947) may have been among the best first-basemen ever, but his “errors” place him as mediocre at best. His own words are his epitaph: “I am an outcast, and I haven’t a good name. I’m the loser, just like all gamblers are.” A star for the NY Highlanders for the first nine years of the franchise, admired by peers such as Babe Ruth and Walter Johnson, Chase even went on to out-poll dozens of later entrants into the Hall of Fame. Such was his prowess at first and plate. But his compulsion to wager, and the ease of access to illicit betting (the bookies were in the front row) consigned this great player to ignominy.
T201 Mecca Canvas: Hal Chase
Walter Allen Blair (1883-1948) was a back-up catcher for the NY Highlanders from 1907-1911. After a two year absence from MLB, Blair finished his career with the Federal League’s Buffalo Blues. Those two years with the “outlaw” Federal League were his most productive offensively and he even served as manager for a doubleheader.
T201 Mecca Canvas: Walter Blair
This is not an image of Duncan Curry. Yet again, Mark Fimoff of SABR identified my mistake and was kind enough to alert me to it.
I made and released this card twice, both in 2013.
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