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Zack Wheat

Outfield
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Brooklyn
  • Team: Superbas
  • League: National League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Zachariah Davis Wheat (1888-1972) starred in left field for the Brooklyn Superbas/Robins/Dodgers and still holds team bests in hits, doubles, triples, RBI and total bases. Wheat defied the Deadball trend of choking up on the bat, swinging away with a “smashing swipe” according to one reporter. Yet, his stylish fielding drew the most praise (“the finest craftsman of them all.”)

  • 5 of his 9 HRs in 1914 were over the fence, rare in that era
  • Again defying tradition, used a light (40oz) bat and a wrist-snap unheard of then
  • Survived long enough to see the lively ball, hitting .357 at age 37
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1959

Auction History

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T201 Mecca Canvas: Zack Wheat

John Titus

Outfield
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Philadelphia
  • Team: Phillies
  • League: National League

John Franklin Titus (1876-1943) was an outfielder for the Phillies and Boston Braves, 1903-13. He averaged .282 at the plate with a .373 OBP. His one place in the NL record book was for being hit by 16 pitches in 1909. In his 2nd game, snapped the Pirates’ 56 inning scoreless string with an RBI.

  • Titus’ trademarks were a taciturn manner and an ever-present toothpick
  • Two broken legs and a beaning put this speedy player out of the game before his time

Auction History

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T201 Mecca Canvas: John Titus

Tris Speaker

Outfield
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Boston
  • Team: Red Sox
  • League: American League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Tristram E. Speaker (1888-1958) enjoyed a long and storied career as perhaps the greatest all-around center fielder in the game. Led the Red Sox to two titles and, upon moving to Cleveland over a salary dispute, led the Indians to a championship in 1920. He still holds MLB records for doubles and outfield assists.

  • Career batting average: .345
  • Also still holds MLB record for unassisted double plays by an outfielder
  • Speaker’s glove came to be known as “the place where triples go to die”
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1937

Auction History

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T201 Mecca Canvas: Tris Speaker

Fred Snodgrass

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

Frederick Carlisle Snodgrass (1887-1974) broke into MLB with the Giants in ’08 and became a mainstay in the outfield by virtue of his speed & hitting. As proficient as he was at bat & on base, Snodgrass spent his career mired in controversy, especially on the big stage of the World Series: intentionally spiking Frank Baker, dropping a fly ball & later bringing down the house in Fenway after defiantly challenging the home folks. That incident prompted Boston’s mayor (“Vote often and early for James Michael Curley”) to stride on field and demand Snodgrass’ ouster. Fittingly, Fred was traded to the Bosox the next season.

  • Haunted throughout his life by the 1912 Series gaff, Snodgrass was spared the indignity of reading the headline on his NY Times obituary: “Fred Snodgrass, 86, Dead; Ball Player Muffed 1912 Fly.”
  • Harry Hooper, Boston’s fleet slugger, was robbed by Snodgrass on the next play. Hooper always defended Snodgrass, citing numerous other miscues that led to the Giants’ loss that day

Auction History

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T201 Mecca Canvas: Arthur Hoffman

Sherry Magee

Outfield
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Philadelphia
  • Team: Phillies
  • League: National League

Sherwood Robert Magee (1884-1929) was a brawling rogue and one of the best outfielders in Philadelphia history. Fans with long memories smiled when this man who had once been suspended for cold-cocking an ump turned to officiating games upon his retirement as a player. Magee began a decade-long streak as the Phillies’ left fielder as a 19-year-old rookie. He had great years at the plate but none better than in 1910, the year before he knocked out Bill Finneran and suffered the worst sanction dealt by the NL since 1877. In ’10 Sherry bested even Honus Wagner, winning the NL batting title and leading in runs and RBI.

  • Magee played minor league ball until age 40, then turned to umpiring. The NL put him under close watch due to his prior history but he established himself as a fine arbiter
  • Struck down by pneumonia at 44, Magee was lauded in the press as “one of baseball’s most colorful figures,” and “one of the greatest natural batsmen in the game”

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Otto Williams