Catcher

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Gabby Street

Catcher
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Washington, D.C.
  • Team: Senators
  • League: American League

Charles Evard Street (1882-1951) was a catcher, manager and broadcaster over a long and storied career. He made news for two stunts: catching a ball dropped from the Wash. Monument (on his 13th try) and putting himself in for one AB as mgr of the Cards in ’31, giving him the “record” of longest gap between ML appearances.

  • Led St Louis to 2 pennants and one Series win in 1931
  • Mentored Walter Johnson and, in the booth, a young Harry Caray

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Gabby Street

Louis Santop

Catcher
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Oklahoma City
  • Team: Monarchs
  • League: Independent
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Louis Santop (Loftin) (1890-1942) was a prodigious HR slugger & indomitable catcher in the Negro Leagues. He averaged .406 lifetime, caught two of the hardest throwing pitchers of all-time (Smokey Joe Williams & Dick Redding) and endured behind the plate for an astonishing 15 seasons despite the privations and rigor of black baseball in America in his day. A jovial giant, Top was a fan favorite & sure-fire draw with his ability to throw a ball over outfield fences before games & hit it even further during games.

  • It is told the Newark park had an ad promising a suit to players who hit the 440’ centerfield fence. The sign was removed after Santop hit it three times in one game
  • Played for great Negro League teams including the NY Lincoln Giants and the Hilldale Club
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 2006

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Bill Abstein

Chief Meyers

Catcher
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: New York
  • Team: Giants
  • League: National League

John Tortes Meyers (1880-1971, a Native American in a benighted era, “Chief” faced many hurdles in becoming perhaps the best hitting catcher of his day. Literate, poised and good-humored, Meyers gained fame as battery-mate to Christy Mathewson, hitting over .300 for 3 consecutive Giants pennants, 1911-13.

  • Toured the vaudeville circuit occasionally in an act with Mathewson they called “Curves”
  • Hit .358 in 1912 and was third in the MVP balloting

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Chief Meyers

Lew McCarty

Catcher
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Newark
  • Team: Indians (EL)
  • League: Eastern League

George Lewis McCarty (1888-1930) was a catcher for the Brooklyn Superbas/Robins, Giants and Cardinals from 1913-1921. His best year was 1916 when he tied for the NL lead with a .339 BA, but fell short of the number of ABs to qualify. With Brooklyn, McCarty played under former catcher Wilbert Robinson with teammate Casey Stengel.

  • In 1916 McCarty was traded away to NY from the pennant-bound Robins for Fred Merkle
  • The Giants won the pennant in ’17 and McCarty hit .400 in the Series

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Lew McCarty

Jack Lapp

Catcher
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Philadelphia
  • Team: Athletics (AL)
  • League: American League

John Walker Lapp (1884-1920) was a catcher for the White Sox and Athletics from 1908-16. Played a key role in Philadelphia’s 1911 Series win, catching 2 overtime games. Set a record with 5 runners caught stealing in game 3. Usually a reserve, he still caught over 500 games over his 9-yr. career.

  • Career batting average of .263
  • Won 3 world championships with the Athletics: 1910, 1911, & 1913

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Jack Lapp