- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Cleveland
- Team: Naps
- League: American League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Adrian Joss (1880-1911) starred for Cleveland for all of his too-brief nine-year career. What his ML tenure lacked in length, Joss made up in quality. Of his 160 wins, 45 were shutouts including a perfect game and another no-hitter. His lean frame and exceptionally long arms gave him the ability to fool batters with a twisting delivery. Joss’s first game was a one (scratch) hit shutout on his way to 17 rookie victories. Won 20+ games four straight years before being plagued by ill health his final two seasons. Succumbed to TB as the 1911 season was starting.
- Nap Lajoie said: “In Joss’s death, baseball loses one of the best pitchers and men that has ever been identified with the game.”
- 67 years later, the Veteran’s Committee elected Addie to the Hall of Fame in 1978
Auction History
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T201 Mecca Canvas: James Dygert
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: New York
- Team: Giants
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
William Henry Keeler (1872-1923) retired in 1910 trailing only Cap Anson in career hits with 2932. He still stands 14th in all of ML baseball in that category. Keeler’s proficiency with the bunt led baseball to change the rules, making a two-strike foul an out. In 13 of his 19 seasons, little William (5’4”) hit over .300 with a BA of .341.
- Ned Hanlon brought Keeler to his Orioles in 1894, building one of the most formidable teams ever. Keeler was one of seven future Hall of Famers on Baltimore’s squad
- No less an authority than John McGraw said “Keeler had the best batting eye I have ever seen.”
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1939
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Grant McGlynn
- Series: Pilgrims
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
William Joseph Klem (nee Klimm) (1874-1951) was the great founding-father of baseball umpiring. He brought a level of expertise and dignity that helped transform officiating and the game itself. And he was colorful: “It ain’t nothin’ till I call it;” “Gentlemen, he was out because I said he was out;” and “Son, when you pitch a strike, Mr. Hornsby will let you know.”
- Joined the NL crew in 1905, worked a record 18 World Series (no one else did more than 10)
- Was the longest-tenured and oldest umpire until exceeded in both by Bruce Froemming
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1953
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Fred Odwell
- 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
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Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: James Stephans
- 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
Auction History
Cartophilia
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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Cartophilia
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
Auction History
Cartophilia
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
Auction History
Cartophilia
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
Auction History
Cartophilia
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
Auction History
Cartophilia
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
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Philadelphia
- Team: Athletics (AL)
- League: American League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr. (1862-1956). An average catcher with strong leadership skills for 11 professional seasons (1886-1896), Mack then owned (1901-1954) and managed (1901-1950) the Philadelphia Athletics for half a century, establishing many managerial records and a unique place in the pantheon of baseball icons in the 20th century.
- 5x World Series Champion
- Most Managerial Wins: 3,731
- Most Managerial Losses: 3,948
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1937
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Pat Dougherty
- 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”
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Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Otto Williams
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: New York
- Team: Giants
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Richard William Marquard (1886-1980) was a dominant left-hander with the Giants, Robins, Reds and Braves from 1908-25. His Hall of Fame plaque highlights his outstanding performance for NY’s consecutive titles 1911-13 with 23+ wins each year and a record 19 in a row. This streak vindicated the outlandish $11K price the Giants paid to get him from the American Assoc.
- The nickname wasn’t a “bumpkin” reference but a comparison to Waddell
- Helped Brooklyn to pennants in 1916 & 1920
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1971
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Arthur McCabe
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: New York
- Team: Giants
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Christopher Mathewson (1880-1925) was the consummate right hander of the early 20th Century. His “fadeaway” pitch baffled NL hitters from 1900-16. Mathewson won 22+ 12 straight years, 30+ 4x, and holds the modern NL record with his 37 wins in 1908. He hurled 3 shut-outs in 6 days to gain his sole world championship in 1905.
- One of the “first five” into Cooperstown
- Accomplished all this while honoring his Christian faith by not pitching on Sundays
- This Pilgrims card duplicates and preserves the uncorrected spelling error on Mathewson's original T201 Mecca card
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1936
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Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Christy Matthewson (sic)
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Washington, D.C.
- Team: Senators
- League: American League
George Florian McBride (1880-1973) became a regular SS for the Senators in 1908. A modest hitter but a wonder with the glove, McBride led the AL in fielding % 4 straight years. Nicknamed “Pinch” for his ability to hit in the clutch. Among long-time players, McBride ranks last in BA at .218 for those with more than 5000 ABs.
- Succeeded Clark Griffith as mgr in ’21, but an injury forced him to retire the next year
- Returned for 2 yrs with Cobb’s Tigers in 1925-6, serving as his “first lieutenant”
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: George McBride
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Newark
- Team: Indians (EL)
- League: Eastern League
George Lewis McCarty (1888-1930) was a catcher for the Brooklyn Superbas/Robins, Giants and Cardinals from 1913-1921. His best year was 1916 when he tied for the NL lead with a .339 BA, but fell short of the number of ABs to qualify. With Brooklyn, McCarty played under former catcher Wilbert Robinson with teammate Casey Stengel.
- In 1916 McCarty was traded away to NY from the pennant-bound Robins for Fred Merkle
- The Giants won the pennant in ’17 and McCarty hit .400 in the Series
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Lew McCarty
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Newark
- Team: Indians (EL)
- League: Eastern League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Joseph Jerome McGinnity (1871-1929) still holds the NL record for complete games (48) and innings pitched (434) for John McGraw’s Giants. This literal and figurative “iron man” (he worked off seasons in a foundry) won 246 games with an ERA of 2.66. Pitching both ends of doubleheaders was routine for this Irish immigrant. In 1904 he won 10 of the Giants’ first 21 games.
- Known as an even better fielder, McGinnity transformed his position with his quality of defense
- Part of one World Series win, two NL pennants, and was a five-time NL wins champion
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1946
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Joe McGinnity
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: New York
- Team: Giants
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
John Joseph McGraw (1873-1934) was an innovative player (the hit-and-run, the “Baltimore chop”) but went on to true greatness as a manager for Baltimore and, most noteworthy, the NY Giants. Only Connie Mack’s teams won more games and no NL manager approached him. Not shabby as a hitter (ranks 3rd all time behind Ted Williams and Babe Ruth in OBP), has been called “the best player to become a great manager.”
- Played for and/or managed ten NL pennant winners
- Upon his death, McGraw’s wife discovered a list of all the African-American players he wanted to sign but was prevented
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1937
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Al Mattern
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Pittsburgh
- Team: Pirates
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
William Boyd McKechnie (1886-1965) was a noted baseball strategist and the only manager to lead three teams to NL pennants. Won World Series titles with two clubs: the ’25 Pirates and ’40 Reds. A player, manager and then coach for nearly half a century, “the Deacon” was known for his temperance and piety.
- Served as coach for young Indians manager, Lou Boudreau, winning the ’48 Series
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1962
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Mike Simon
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Almendares
- Team: Blues (CUNL)
- League: Cuban National League
- Hall: Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame, National Baseball Hall of Fame
Jose de la Caridad Mendez (1887-1928) visited America from his native Cuba in 1908 and demolished the ML Cincinnati Reds and minor league all-stars from Florida. He was unbeaten, untied, and unscored upon. He allowed but a single to Miller Huggins in the 9th inning of his first game on US soil, and hurled a no-hitter in Key West. Ira Thomas, catcher for the 2-time world champion Athletics, compared Mendez favorably to Walter Johnson and said “he is a remarkable pitcher, and if he were a white man would command a good position on any Major League club in the circuits.”
- Became a star in the Negro Leagues, leading the KC Monarchs to pennants in ’23, ’24, and ‘25
- The Cuban “Black Diamond’s” career spanned 1908-26
- Elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in its inaugural class: 1939
- Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame: 2006
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: John Kling
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: New York
- Team: Giants
- League: National League
Carl Frederick Rudolf Merkle (1888-1956) was called by a teammate “the smartest man on the club.” One misstep, one quick decision not to continue to 2nd base, left this “gentleman and scholar” to endure the scorn of contemporary fans and much of baseball lore for his infamous “boner,” committed in his rookie year. His boss, John McGraw, was much more forgiving and Merkle went on to fine career, including 5 Series in 8 years.
- Merkle was the youngest player in the game when he failed to run out what would have been his game-winning (and pennant-winning) hit
- Umpire Hank O’Day was said to have been looking for the chance to enforce a widely-ignored rule, and chose a moment that got all of baseball’s attention
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Fred Merkle
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: New York
- Team: Giants
- League: National League
John Tortes Meyers (1880-1971, a Native American in a benighted era, “Chief” faced many hurdles in becoming perhaps the best hitting catcher of his day. Literate, poised and good-humored, Meyers gained fame as battery-mate to Christy Mathewson, hitting over .300 for 3 consecutive Giants pennants, 1911-13.
- Toured the vaudeville circuit occasionally in an act with Mathewson they called “Curves”
- Hit .358 in 1912 and was third in the MVP balloting
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Chief Meyers
- Series: Pilgrims
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
“The Reverend” (1859-1935). O’Day was a pitcher & occasional position player over 7 ML seasons for 5 teams. Hank then umpired for 30 years, interrupting his tenure twice: to manage the Cincinnati Reds in 1912 and the Chicago Cubs in 1914.
- Member of ’89 Champion Giants
- Umpired 10 World Series
- Officiated Merkle’s Boner
- Called 4 no-hitters in 4 decades
- Only person to play, manage & umpire in NL
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 2013
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: John Butler
- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Philadelphia
- Team: Athletics (AL)
- League: American League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Edward Stewart Plank (1875-1926) hurled more shutouts and complete games than any other lefthander in his 17-season career. He ranks behind only Warren Spahn and Steve Carlton among southpaws in wins. Signed by Connie Mack straight out of college, Plank never played a day in the minors. Playing in 4 Series for Philadelphia, Plank had an ERA of 1.32 but got no run support, going 2-5 but finishing all six of his starts.
- His 326 wins ranks 13th on the all time list. He had eight 20-win seasons
- At the end of his career, played for St. Louis in the Federal League’s final year in 1915 and then with the Browns for two more
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1946
Auction History
Cartophilia
T201 Mecca Canvas: Otis Johnson
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