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Ed Konetchy

First Base
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: St. Louis
  • Team: Cardinals
  • League: National League

Edward J. Konetchy (1885-1947) reminisced about growing up in LaCrosse “when we used to get pictures of athletes out of cigarette boxes.” The big kid from Wisconsin not only carved out a worthy career as a NL 1st baseman, he lived to see himself on a few of those picture cards. “Koney” was the Cardinals’ best hitter & such a consistent speedster & fielder that John McGraw observed “Konetchy is worth the whole team,” & often tried to trade for him. A train wreck cast a pall over the Cards’ 1st good year with their young infielder, 1911. Many never recovered from the fatalities they witnessed, yet Koney & manager Roger Bresnahan were heroes, rescuing as many as they could. Many teams coveted the star & Pittsburgh finally pried Koney away from St. Louis in ’14.

  • Konetchy was a marvel of consistency afield & at bat. He compiled more hits (2150) than games played (2085), a .285 BA, 992 RBI & 255 SBs
  • Hit safely in 10 consecutive ABs in ’19 & stole home twice against Boston, 9/30/07

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: James Stephans

Jake Daubert

First Base
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Brooklyn
  • Team: Superbas
  • League: National League

Jacob Ellsworth Daubert (1884-1924) is considered by some the best first-baseman NOT in the Hall. His fielding was never below .989, he led the NL in batting 1913 & ’14, and was MVP in ’13. Seven times from 1911-19 he was named to Baseball Magazine’s All-America team. Popular with players and fans, his union activity alienated mgmt.

  • Charles Ebbetts sent him from Brooklyn to the Reds in 1919 following a salary dispute
  • Became ill and died during his final road trip with the Reds in 1924

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Jake Daubert

Dan Brouthers

First Base
  • Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
  • City: Detroit
  • Team: Wolverines
  • League: National League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Portraits of Dan Brouthers are exceptionally rare. This is simply a case of having struggled to make a card out of a particularly difficult image, only to find a better image later. This card is now an outtake and has been replaced by another.

  • This card was created and issued twice. It has now been retired.
  • You can find the replacement card here

Auction History

Lew Whistler

First Base
  • Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
  • City: New York
  • Team: Giants
  • League: National League

Lewis W. Whistler, nee Wissler, (1868-1959) played four years in the majors beginning with the Giants in 1890-91. He played for Baltimore and Louisville in ‘92 before concluding his stint in the big leagues with the Colonels and Browns in 1893. Lew was primarily a first-baseman but saw duty at short and outfield. Over the four years he batted .244 with 133 RBI and a dozen dingers. According to Baseball-Reference, Whistler had a career .976 fielding percentage at first base, ranking him with Cap Anson, Dan Brouthers, Joe Start and Harry Stovey albeit over a much shorter term. Lew had come into the minors in 1887 with the Wichita Braves of the Western League and hit .320 in 25 games. The following year saw him with four Texas clubs where he couldn’t hit much at all. A good season with the Senators in the Atlantic Association launched him to New York.

  • Whistler played sporadically for a dozen teams in six minor leagues following his time with the Browns. He ended his pro career in the Southern League playing for two teams: the Montgomery Black Sox and Memphis Egyptians from 1903-05

Auction History

Fred Tenney

First Base
  • Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
  • City: Boston
  • Team: Beaneaters
  • League: National League

Frederick Tenney (1871-1952) built a twenty-year career in pro baseball, most of it in the major leagues and mostly in Boston. As a catcher, Tenney led his Brown University team to a “national championship” according to Harper’s Weekly in 1894. His play caught the attention of the Boston Beaneaters and he was signed to play for future Hall of Fame manager Frank Selee who developed Fred into a premier first-sacker. Through his friendship with Boston owner Arthur Soden, Tenney remained a loyal and evermore valued player-captain-manager and jack of all trades. His career as manager was lackluster in winning percentage but Fred was popular and the club made money, his and the team’s main objective. Sold to the Giants in 1908, Tenney had a great season at bat. Ironically, the sole game he missed that year was on September 23 when Fred Merkle subbed for him. The ensuing “boner” cost this great player his only shot at a World Series.

  • Tenney was called the “Soiled Collegian” signifying his era’s disdain for university grads playing such a tawdry game
  • The durable infielder holds the record for leading the NL in assists eight times, including seven straight years 1901-07

Auction History