- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: Pittsburgh
- Team: Pirates
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr. (1862-1956). An average catcher with strong leadership skills for 11 professional seasons (1886-1896), Mack then owned (1901-1954) and managed (1901-1950) the Philadelphia Athletics for half a century, establishing many managerial records and a unique place in the pantheon of baseball icons in the 20th century.
Check out how the h is missing from Pittsburgh on Mack’s uniform. This photo was taken at a time when America was removing the h from “burgh”s across the country. Pittsburgh was officially spelled Pittsburg between 1891 and 1911. The most significant hobby-related incidence of this alternative spelling of Pittsburgh occurs on the T206 Wagner.
- 5x World Series Champion
- Most Managerial Wins: 3,731
- Most Managerial Losses: 3,948
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1937
- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: Philadelphia
- Team: Phillies
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Napoleon Lajoie (1885-1959) joined the American League at its inception and became its first superstar en route to a Hall of Fame career as one of the best all time 2nd basemen. In that first year of the junior circuit, Lajoie set a record never exceeded in the AL with a .426 BA (also never exceeded in the modern era in the NL). Won the Triple Crown in 1901 and 4 more AL batting titles.
- Only Cobb, Ruth, Wagner, Mathewson and Johnson preceded him In the first HOF balloting
- Was such a hit with Cleveland fans, they voted to name the team the “Naps” in 1903
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1937
- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: Boston
- Team: Beaneaters
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Michael Kelly (1857-1894) was one of the great stars of the 1880s. He inspired America’s first pop record (“Slide, Kelly, Slide!”) in 1889 with a 1927 movie to follow. The “Chicago Slide” was copied by his White Stockings teammates, a “combination slide, twist and dodge” that allowed the team to “get away with hundreds of stolen bases when really they should have been touched out easily” per the Tribune’s Hugh Fullerton in 1906. A catcher, right-fielder and manager over 16 years, he popularized the hit & run.
- A pioneer athlete in vaudeville, $10,000 Kelly also popularized autograph signing
- First major leaguer to publish his autobiography (1888)
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1945
- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: Baltimore
- Team: Orioles
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Joseph James Kelley (1871-1943) was an outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles from 1893-98 and was one of the most productive hitters of the decade. Kelley had a knack for getting on base by hit or walk. He was among the league leaders in these categories as the Orioles won three straight pennants, then finished second his last two years in Baltimore. He helped the floundering Brooklyn Superbas (last in ‘98) to consecutive titles in 1899-1900. Joe’s defensive work was stunning. Playing in fast company for Baltimore (alongside John McGraw, Willie Keeler and Hughie Jennings), was such a stand-out he was dubbed “Kingpin of the Orioles.” In an outstanding 17-year MLB career, Joe hit .317 including eleven straight .300+ seasons. Always a leader, when his output began to decline, Kelley never had trouble finding teams who wanted him in the lineup and as a manager. The veteran maneuvered skillfully through the politics and intrigue that accompanied the founding of the American League. He even accepted the highest minor-league salary to-date to play for the International League’s Toronto Maple Leafs in ‘02 before returning to the NL.
- Kelley stayed in pro-ball through 1926 as a manager, scout and coach
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1971
- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: New York
- Team: Giants
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
William Henry Keeler (1872-1923) retired in 1910 trailing only Cap Anson in career hits with 2932. He still stands 14th in all of ML baseball in that category. Keeler’s proficiency with the bunt led baseball to change the rules, making a two-strike foul an out. In 13 of his 19 seasons, little William (5’4”) hit over .300 with a BA of .341.
- Ned Hanlon brought Keeler to his Orioles in 1894, building one of the most formidable teams ever. Keeler was one of seven future Hall of Famers on Baltimore’s squad
- No less an authority than John McGraw said “Keeler had the best batting eye I have ever seen.”
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1939
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