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Hooks Wiltse

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

George Leroy Wiltse (1879-1959) played for McGraw’s Giants for 11 years (1904-14.) His tandem with Mathewson produced 435 wins, one of the best left/right duos in history. His nickname may not have come from his wicked curve but from his tenacity with the glove. Set a rookie record winning his 1st 12 starts.

  • Wiltse was McGraw’s only lefty until Rube Marquard joined the rotation in 1909
  • To his lasting chagrin, Wiltse was the 1st base coach when Fred Merkle missed 2nd base
  • On May 15, 1906 struck out 7 batters in two innings after Bresnahan dropped strike 3

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Wiltse Hooks

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

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Arthur Hoffman

Chief Meyers

Catcher
  • 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

Fred Merkle

First Base
  • 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

John McGraw

Manager
  • 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