- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Boston
- Team: Red Sox
- League: American League
William Lawrence Gardner (1886-1976) is celebrated in his hometown of Enosburg Falls, VT as the best baseball player to come out of the Green Mt state. He anchored 3B for the Red Sox and Indians winning 4 world titles. Was the hero of the 1912 Series, driving in the winning run after two Giants’ miscues in the 10th inning.
- Gardner’s 3 hits propelled rookie Babe Ruth to his 1st win as a Red Sox pitcher
- Ruth beat Walter Johnson 1-0 three times in 1916, the last via Gardner’s 13th inning hit
- Claims to have hit a HR off Jack Coombs in Ebbets Field with his eyes closed
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T201 Mecca Canvas: Larry Gardner
- 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
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Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: George Gibson
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Cincinnati
- Team: Reds (NL)
- League: National League
Edward Leslie Grant (1883-1918) had a cup of coffee replacing an ailing Nap Lajoie with the Indians at the end of the 1905 season, upon his graduation from Harvard. Caught on with the Phillies ’07-10, then played for the Reds and Giants thru 1915. An early enlistee for WWI, Grant became the 1st ML veteran to die in that conflict, leading a heroic search for the “Lost Battalion.”
- A Harvard lawyer (’09), Grant refused to holler “I Got It!,” preferring “I Have It!”
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Eddie Grant
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Portland
- Team: Beavers
- League: Pacific Coast League
Sylveanus Augustus Gregg (1885-1964) took the Pacific Coast League by storm in 1910, hurling 14 shutouts for Portland, never bettered in the PCL. Signed to the Cleveland Naps the next year, Gregg led the AL in ERA at 1.80 and went on to become the only 20th century pitcher to win 20+ his first three seasons in the majors. He remains the franchise leader in winning percentage. Dealt to the Red Sox in 1914, Gregg’s arm wore out. He got the thrill of playing for the two championship teams in ‘15-16 but was soon out of the game entirely until making a comeback with Seattle. At age 40, Vean made a remarkable final appearance in the big leagues, going 2-2 with two saves for the Senators in 1925 following a six-year absence.
- The southpaw made quite an impression in his rookie year at Cleveland. Hal Chase, Ty Cobb and HOF ump Billy Evans all thought he was the best lefty they had seen
- Played among the greats at Cleveland: Lajoie, Joss, Cy Young and was helped in 1911 by Joe Jackson’s .408 average
Auction History
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T201 Mecca Canvas: Earl Moore
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Cincinnati
- Team: Reds (NL)
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Clark Calvin Griffith (1869-1955) was a successful pitcher for over 20 years but had only just begun his baseball career. AL founder Ban Johnson prevailed on Griffith to take the helm of the NY entry into the new league in 1903. That began a tenure as manager and owner that lasted until Griffith’s death in 1955. With a showman’s touch and a veteran player’s savvy, Griffith turned around the D.C. franchise.
- Only one in history to be a player, manager and owner for over 20 years in each role
- Counted eight U.S. presidents as friends during his long tenure as owner of the Senators
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1946
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Harry Baker
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