- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Pittsburgh
- Team: Pirates
- League: National League
- Hall: Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
George C. Gibson (1880-1967) was the epitome of the defensive, canny catcher. Despite the punishment at this position, Gibson shattered the MLB mark in ’09 for consecutive games caught. He lasted 21 years, helped the Pirates beat the Cobb-led Tigers in ’09. Stayed in baseball as one of the 1st Canadian managers with Pittsburgh and the Cubs.
- From 1908-10, Gibson averaged 144 games caught, unheard of in that era
- Led NL in fielding % three times
- Elected to Canadian BB Hall of Fame: 1987
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: George Gibson
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Philadelphia
- Team: Phillies
- League: National League
Charles Sebastian Dooin (1879-1952) played nearly all of his long and successful catching career for the Phillies, 1902-14. He batted .240, managed the club for 5 years and nurtured the young Grover Cleveland Alexander in his early years. Still holds the Phillies team record for games caught. Despite his small stature, was known for his fearless plate-blocking.
- Dooin always claimed Roger Bresnahan got the idea for shin guards from him in 1906
- After the Depression wiped out his wealth, used his rich baritone on the vaudeville circuit
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Red Doin
- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: Cleveland
- Team: Spiders
- League: National League
Charles Louis Zimmer (1860-1949) was one of the great catchers the game has known. As Cy Young’s receiver from 1890-98, Chief was extolled by the great pitcher as a peerless partner. The two grew up together with Cleveland with Zimmer setting numerous records at his position while guiding the nascent talent that would come to define baseball greatness. Perhaps fittingly, when Young left Cleveland after the ‘98 season, the club let the 38-year-old Zimmer go, too. He was spared the indignity of laboring for next year’s “worst team in history” club that went 20-134. Chief went on to a pennant with Pittsburgh in 1901, catching HOF’er Jack Chesbro. In ‘03 Pirate owner Barney Dreyfuss persuaded Zimmer to move to Philadelphia to manage the Phillies before retiring at 42.
- Zimmer claimed no Native American heritage. The “Chief” was due to being the team leader on an early club so speedy as to be dubbed “Indians”
- The Sporting Life wrote in 1890 that Zimmer was one of about 6 major leaguers who abstained from both liquor and tobacco. Despite his aversion to smoking, Zimmer made a fortune selling cigars, spreading his business to every city his ball club visited
- Was elected 1st president of The Players’ Protective Association – predecessor to the MLB Players’ Association
- An entrepreneur and wise investor, Zimmer was known to be one of the wealthiest players of his day
- Zimmer famously invented Zimmer’s Base Ball Game, a mechanical parlor game popular in the 1890s
- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: San Francisco
- Team: Haverlys
- League: California League
William Edward Swett (1870-1934) had impressed major-league scouts with his performance in his hometown of San Francisco. The young catcher showed great fortitude by catching all but four of the ‘88 Haverlys’ 95 games. One report noted: “He throws like a rifle shot and has any amount of nerve.” Such publicity prompted the Boston Reds to offer him $2800 to join the Players’ League franchise. This amount was said to be the most ever paid to that time to land a California recruit. Swett saw limited service for King Kelly’s 1890 champions; the league folded, and “Pop” went home. Clearly, he preferred to be a highly-regarded player out west to being overshadowed in the the big leagues. In ‘93 The Sporting Life said of him: “without doubt one of the best catchers on the coast.” Nevertheless, Swett’s commitment to the game was lacking. He took a bailiff’s job in SF, tried once more with Nashville but was out of shape. In any event the team, like the Players’ League, folded in July ‘94.
- In his only major-league season, Swett hit .191 with a HR. In seven minor league seasons he hit .238
- It is unknown how the boyish blond acquired the nickname in his early 20s
- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: Cincinnati
- Team: Red Stockings (AA)
- League: American Association
Charles N. Snyder’s (1854-1924) 18 year career was bookended by Washington clubs: the Blue Legs of the NA and the Statesmen of the AA. As a catcher, he set many records. He won the inaugural championship of the American Assoc in 1882 as player-mgr w/Cincinnati. He was also on the pennant-winning Boston Red Caps in ’78.
- Umpired for the Players’ League in ’91; went on to officiate in 4 leagues
- Records included putouts, assists, double plays and fielding %, all as catcher
Ars Longa Store
Newsletter
