Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899 > L

Napoleon Lajoie

Second Base
  • Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
  • City: Philadelphia
  • Team: Phillies
  • League: National 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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Steve Libby

First Base
  • Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
  • City: Buffalo
  • Team: Bisons
  • League: National League

Stephen Augustus Libby (1853-1935) played one game for the Buffalo Bisons of the National League on May 10, 1879. His first game was also his last. Libby went on to umpire one game that year and eight more in 1880 behind the plate.

  • Libby played 1B, handling 8 chances without an error
  • Not as successful at the plate, Libby was 0-2 with a lifetime .000 BA

Auction History

Pat Luby

Pitcher
  • Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
  • City: Chicago
  • Team: Colts
  • League: National League

John Perkins Luby (1869-1899) pitched for the Chicago Colts and Louisville Colonels from 1890-95, compiling a 40-41 record. In his rookie season for Cap Anson’s Colts, Luby won 18 straight lifting the club to a 2nd place finish. This flash of brilliance was followed by a steady decline due to alcohol abuse, and a very early death at 30.

  • Luby still holds the dubious record of three hit-batters in an inning.
  • Playing in a tempestuous era, Luby lost one victory in ’92 by forfeit due to a home fan riot

Auction History

Denny Lyons

Third Base
  • Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
  • City: Philadelphia
  • Team: Athletics (AA)
  • League: American Association

Dennis Patrick Aloysius Lyons (1866-1929) was a strong hitting third-baseman over a thirteen year career in the major leagues from 1885 with Providence to 1897 with the Pirates. His lifetime batting average was .310. In 1890 he led the American Association in on-base percentage and slugging, and was second to Chicken Wolf in BA. He hit 62 home runs in the Deadball Era and was known as a formidable fielder in the no-glove era. Lyons’ era was also a time of rapid evolution in the game. In 1887, the year Denny “hit” safely in 52 straight, the pitcher’s box had been tightened and the pitcher’s delivery shortened to one step. Walks were also considered hits that year which has caused most modern students of the game to dismiss his “streak,” second only to Joltin’ Joe. But DiMaggio didn’t have to hit a fastball hurled from fifty feet. Only two of the 52 games was affected by walks but they were in the middle of the run. Despite such quibbles, Lyons was clearly a very accomplished player both offensively and afield.

  • Consistently ranked among batting leaders in both leagues he starred in: AA and NL
  • An Amos Rusie fastball broke two fingers and ended Denny’s ML tenure. He continued in the minors and hit .274 for the Beaumont Oil Gushers in 1903

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