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Hank O’Day

Umpire
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • League: National League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

“The Reverend” (1859-1935). O’Day was a pitcher & occasional position player over 7 ML seasons for 5 teams. Hank then umpired for 30 years, interrupting his tenure twice: to manage the Cincinnati Reds in 1912 and the Chicago Cubs in 1914.

  • Member of ’89 Champion Giants
  • Umpired 10 World Series
  • Officiated Merkle’s Boner
  • Called 4 no-hitters in 4 decades
  • Only person to play, manage & umpire in NL
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 2013

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: John Butler

Jose Mendez

Pitcher
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Almendares
  • Team: Blues (CUNL)
  • League: Cuban National League
  • Hall: Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame, National Baseball Hall of Fame

Jose de la Caridad Mendez (1887-1928) visited America from his native Cuba in 1908 and demolished the ML Cincinnati Reds and minor league all-stars from Florida. He was unbeaten, untied, and unscored upon. He allowed but a single to Miller Huggins in the 9th inning of his first game on US soil, and hurled a no-hitter in Key West. Ira Thomas, catcher for the 2-time world champion Athletics, compared Mendez favorably to Walter Johnson and said “he is a remarkable pitcher, and if he were a white man would command a good position on any Major League club in the circuits.”

  • Became a star in the Negro Leagues, leading the KC Monarchs to pennants in ’23, ’24, and ‘25
  • The Cuban “Black Diamond’s” career spanned 1908-26
  • Elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in its inaugural class: 1939
  • Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame: 2006

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: John Kling

Bill McKechnie

Second Base
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Pittsburgh
  • Team: Pirates
  • League: National League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

William Boyd McKechnie (1886-1965) was a noted baseball strategist and the only manager to lead three teams to NL pennants. Won World Series titles with two clubs: the ’25 Pirates and ’40 Reds. A player, manager and then coach for nearly half a century, “the Deacon” was known for his temperance and piety.

  • Served as coach for young Indians manager, Lou Boudreau, winning the ’48 Series
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1962

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Mike Simon

John McGraw

Manager
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: New York
  • Team: Giants
  • League: National League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

John Joseph McGraw (1873-1934) was an innovative player (the hit-and-run, the “Baltimore chop”) but went on to true greatness as a manager for Baltimore and, most noteworthy, the NY Giants. Only Connie Mack’s teams won more games and no NL manager approached him. Not shabby as a hitter (ranks 3rd all time behind Ted Williams and Babe Ruth in OBP), has been called “the best player to become a great manager.”

  • Played for and/or managed ten NL pennant winners
  • Upon his death, McGraw’s wife discovered a list of all the African-American players he wanted to sign but was prevented
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1937

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Al Mattern

Joe McGinnity

Pitcher
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Newark
  • Team: Indians (EL)
  • League: Eastern League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Joseph Jerome McGinnity (1871-1929) still holds the NL record for complete games (48) and innings pitched (434) for John McGraw’s Giants. This literal and figurative “iron man” (he worked off seasons in a foundry) won 246 games with an ERA of 2.66. Pitching both ends of doubleheaders was routine for this Irish immigrant. In 1904 he won 10 of the Giants’ first 21 games.

  • Known as an even better fielder, McGinnity transformed his position with his quality of defense
  • Part of one World Series win, two NL pennants, and was a five-time NL wins champion
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1946

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Joe McGinnity