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Napoleon Lajoie

Second Base
  • Series: Diamond Heads '15
  • 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

Joe Jackson

Outfield
  • Series: Diamond Heads '15
  • City: Cleveland
  • Team: Naps
  • League: American League

Joseph Jefferson Wofford Jackson (1887-1951) had the “perfectest” swing according to Babe Ruth who copied it. After nearly a century of more contenders, many would still say Shoeless Joe was the purest hitter ever to wield a baseball bat. Expelled from baseball by Judge Landis, Jackson lives in infamy despite demonstrating prowess at the plate and grace afield. While he will ever be branded with the “Black Sox,” Jackson stirred passions that still echo in baseball today.

  • Still ranks as the third-highest career batting average in history (.356)
  • His .408 average in 1911, his rookie season, is sixth-highest in the modern era

Auction History

Ray Chapman

Shortstop
  • Series: Diamond Heads '15
  • City: Cleveland
  • Team: Naps
  • League: American League

Raymond Johnson Chapman (1891-1920) is the only big leaguer to be killed by a baseball. He was beaned on a late Cleveland afternoon, probably blinded by the setting sun and the earth-colored ball so carefully doctored by the pitchers of that era. Indeed, MLB responded to Chapman’s tragic death with rules against spitters and all manner of doctored balls. Chapman had played only for Cleveland, anchoring the infield at short and setting some team and league records that still stand. And he was truly loved, a cheerful bundle of energy befriended by the greats of his day (Al Jolson, Will Rogers) and by the nearly friendless Ty Cobb. The newlywed Chapman had wanted to retire before the 1920 season but stayed on out of loyalty to new manager Tris Speaker, his best man.

  • Averaging a solid .278 for his nine year career, Chapman was hitting .304 at his death
  • Led the AL in walks and runs (84 each) in the war-shortened ’18 season
  • Still ranks sixth all-time in sacrifices

Auction History

Cy Young

Pitcher
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Cleveland
  • Team: Naps
  • League: American League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Denton True Young (1867-1955) embodied excellence among ML pitchers. Baseball waited one year after his death to establish the award for annual greatness in his honor. Young’s 511 wins are still the hallmark. In 19 of his 21 seasons, he was in the top 10 in innings pitched. With Nap Lajoie, Young gave the upstart AL credibility when he jumped to the new circuit in 1901.

  • In his 30s & 40s, led Boston’s Red Sox to 192 victories
  • Pitched the 1st perfect game from 60’6”, beating Rube Waddell on May 5, 1904
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1937

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Orville Woodruff

Terry Turner

Shortstop
  • Series: Pilgrims
  • City: Cleveland
  • Team: Naps
  • League: American League

Terrance Lamont Turner (1881-1960) holds the record for games played for the Cleveland Indian franchise. He played short and 3rd for the Naps/Indians for 15 of his 17 yr career. He was an intrepid base-stealer, pioneering the head-first slide to protect painful ankles. His team record for SBs stood until 1996.

  • Also holds Cleveland team record for most put-outs with 4,603
  • Broke up 3 no-hitters and Chief Bender’s near perfect game with a 4th inning walk

Auction History

Cartophilia

T201 Mecca Canvas: Terry Turner