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Wilbert Robinson

Catcher
  • Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
  • City: Philadelphia
  • Team: Athletics (AA)
  • League: American Association
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Uncle Robbie (1863-1934). A durable catcher for 17 seasons with 3 teams, Robinson is credited as the 1st to play directly behind the plate at all times. Uncle Robbie once caught 5 games in two days. He also had 7 hits & 11 RBI in a single game. After his playing days were over, Robinson went on to manage for 18 seasons.

  • Won 3 NL pennants as player
  • Won 2 NL pennants as manager
  • Won 5 NL pennants as pitching coach
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1945

Auction History

John Richmond

Shortstop
  • Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
  • City: Columbus
  • Team: Buckeyes
  • League: American Association

John H. Richmond (1855-1898) played 8 seasons at SS and CF for 7 teams. He started with the Athletics in 1875 and closed his career with the Alleghenys in ’85. He played 4 years in the NL and 4 in the AA, compiling a modest .238 batting average.

  • His two most productive years were toward the end of his career with Columbus: ’83-84

Auction History

Tom Poorman

Outfield
  • Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
  • City: Philadelphia
  • Team: Athletics (AA)
  • League: American Association

Thomas Iverson Poorman (1857-1905) was a pitcher/outfielder for five major-league teams from 1880-1888 with stints in the minors mixed in. His start in the pros was with the NL’s Buffalo Bisons, going the same season to the Chicago White Stockings. He played for the two New York entries in the Eastern Championship League in ‘81, the NY Metropolitans and New York New Yorks. He didn’t play the next year and went to Toledo in ‘83. The Blue Stockings advanced from the Northwestern League to the American Association in ‘84 so Tom got back to the big leagues. Poorman had brief turns with NL and AA clubs, leaving the Athletics for Western Assoc teams 1889-91. The lure of the diamond must have been strong as he made one last try with his hometown Lockhaven, PA Maroons after a five year absence from professional baseball, in 1897. He pitched in three of his ML campaigns, going 3-9 and had a career batting average of .244 in the majors.

  • During his short time with the New Yorks, Tom played with future Hall of Famer Dan Brouthers
  • Poorman might best be remembered today as the butt of a practical joke pulled off by the Goodwin editors on one of his four documented Old Judge cards. For pose 371-2, the Goodwin jokers make light of Tom's surname by identifying him as a "Poor Man."

Auction History

George Pinkney

Third Base
  • Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
  • City: Brooklyn
  • Team: Grays (AA)
  • League: American Association

George Burton Pinkney (1859-1926) was one of the American Association’s top hitters and baseball’s early Iron Men. Pinkney held the MLB record for consecutive innings played until overtaken by Cal Ripken Jr. in 1987. Pinkney’s color palette as a player ran to dark: Blue(s) (Cleveland), Gray(s) (Brooklyn), and Brown(s) St. Louis from 1884-93.

  • Twice led the AA in games played (’86 &’88)
  • Helped the Bridegrooms to the ’89 pennant in the AA and the ’90 title in the NL

Auction History

Tony Mullane

Pitcher
  • Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
  • City: Cincinnati
  • Team: Red Stockings (AA)
  • League: American Association

Anthony John Mullane (1859-1944) won 284 games over a 13 year career with 7 teams, primarily in the AA. In 2010 he was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds’ Hall of Fame. When the NL added 10.5 feet from mound to plate, Mullane was never the same pitcher. The next year (’94) he surrendered 16 first inning runs to the Beaneaters.

  • Ambidextrous, Mullane held the ball in both hands, disguising his intended offering
  • Lost a season (’85) to suspension amidst his string of five 30-win years
  • Mullane was voted SABR's Overlooked 19th Century Legend for 2015

Auction History