- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Cleveland
- Team: Naps
- League: American League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Napoleon Lajoie (1885-1959) joined the American League at its inception and became its first superstar en route to a Hall of Fame career as one of the best all time 2nd basemen. In that first year of the junior circuit, Lajoie set a record never exceeded in the AL with a .426 BA (also never exceeded in the modern era in the NL). Won the Triple Crown in 1901 and 4 more AL batting titles.
- Only Cobb, Ruth, Wagner, Mathewson and Johnson preceded him In the first HOF balloting
- Was such a hit with Cleveland fans, they voted to name the team the “Naps” in 1903
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1937
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T201 Mecca Canvas: Nap Lajoie
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: St. Louis
- Team: Browns (AL)
- League: American League
Frank Breyfogle LaPorte (1880-1939) was an infielder for the Highlanders, Red Sox, Browns and Senators before ending his career in the ill-fated Federal League. His best year in the AL was 1911 when he hit a career-high .314. LaPorte struggled with a reputation for uninspired play and was bounced from club to club before trying the new “outlaw” Federal League.
- In 1912, led by Walter Johnson, was one of several players who saved many from a Detroit hotel fire
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T201 Mecca Canvas: Frank Laporte
- 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
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T201 Mecca Canvas: Jack Lapp
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Pittsburgh
- Team: Pirates
- League: National League
Thomas A. Leach (1877-1969) consistently ranked among the leading hitters of the 1st decade of the 20th century. His 19-year career was spent primarily as a Pirate. Batting ahead of Honus Wagner, “Wee Tommy” was one of the top HR hitters of the era, but it was his capacity for triples that really distinguished him (ranks 23rd in MLB.) He still holds the record of 4 triples in the ’03 Series & is 1st in the NL in inside-the-park HRs. During his 13 years in Pittsburgh, Leach played on 4 pennant winners and one world champion (’09). Moved to the OF to take advantage of his speed, Leach teamed with Dummy Hoy. As the oldest source for Ritter’s “The Glory of Their Times,” Leach related that Hoy could make a distinctive squeak to signal he would catch the ball, and they relied on sign language only as a last resort.
- Leach was widowed twice in 3 years with Pittsburgh but was blessed to have his 3rd wife Sara until the end of his life, just before his 92nd birthday
- He was the last survivor of the premier 1903 World Series
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T201 Mecca Canvas: Tommy Leach
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Havana
- Team: Leones
- League: Cuban National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
John Lloyd (1884-1964) was one of the best shortstops in baseball history. Called by whites the “Black Wagner,” Honus himself deemed that association with Lloyd an honor. Lloyd was a pillar of black baseball with a lifetime Negro League BA of .343. He also spent 12 seasons in the Cuban League, batting .329.
- Babe Ruth called Lloyd the best baseball player ever
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1977
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T201 Mecca Canvas: Charles Hickman
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Philadelphia
- Team: Phillies
- League: National League
John Bernard Lobert (1881-1868) played 3rd base for 6 teams from 1903-17, then came back to become the oldest “rookie” manager, for the hapless wartime Phils in 1942. Lobert may have been the fastest player of his era, once staging an exhibition racing a thoroughbred around the bases. A “lifer,” Lobert coached or scouted till his dying day.
- Good fielder and batter, hit .300 4x and twice led NL 3rd basemen in fielding %
- Don’t know if he beat the horse but he did defeat gold medalist Jim Thorpe
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T201 Mecca Canvas: Hans Lobert
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Chicago
- Team: White Sox
- League: American League
Harry Donald Lord (1882-1948) was groomed for Jimmy Collins’ third base position on the Boston Americans (soon to become Red Sox.) Highlights of his stellar ’09 season included leading a triple steal against the Athletics. Walter Johnson broke Lord’s finger, leading to a trade to the White Sox. From there he joined the Federal League before leaving MLB.
- Voiced regret he had left Chicago before 1919, believing he could have thwarted the affair
- In 1910, Lord was one of ten future MLB managers on the Red Sox, most ever
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T201 Mecca Canvas: Harry Lord
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