- Series: Pilgrims
- City: Pittsburgh
- Team: Pirates
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Johannes Peter Wagner (1874-1955) was, simply, the greatest shortstop who ever played the game. The Pittsburgh icon was among the first five selections to Cooperstown in 1936 in recognition of overall prowess afield, at bat and on base unparalleled in baseball. Even his closest rival for “All-Time Best” honors, Ty Cobb, said Honus was “maybe the greatest star ever to take the diamond.” Badgered mercilessly by ‘Nuf Ced’ McGreevy’s Royal Rooters in the ’07 Series with Boston, Wagner was deeply wounded by his mediocre performance. He achieved some vindication 2 years later, leading the Pirates over Cobb’s Tigers.
- Space doesn’t allow a fair summary of Wagner’s hitting records. A marvel at the plate.
- Was a Pirates’ coach for 39 years, mentoring several future Hall of Famers
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1936
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T201 Mecca Canvas: Charles Starr
- 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
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T201 Mecca Canvas: Mike Simon
- 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: Pittsburgh
- Team: Pirates
- League: National League
- Hall: Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
George C. Gibson (1880-1967) was the epitome of the defensive, canny catcher. Despite the punishment at this position, Gibson shattered the MLB mark in ’09 for consecutive games caught. He lasted 21 years, helped the Pirates beat the Cobb-led Tigers in ’09. Stayed in baseball as one of the 1st Canadian managers with Pittsburgh and the Cubs.
- From 1908-10, Gibson averaged 144 games caught, unheard of in that era
- Led NL in fielding % three times
- Elected to Canadian BB Hall of Fame: 1987
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T201 Mecca Canvas: George Gibson
- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: Pittsburgh
- Team: Pirates
- League: National League
Elmer Ellsworth "Mike" Smith (1868-1945) pitched well enough to lead the AA in ERA in 1887 for Cincinnati, but after 3 years on the mound his bat dictated a shift to the outfield. Traded to the Pirates in ’92, Smith was an impact player, hitting 136 triples and 37 HRs over his 14-year career. His three-baggers tied Babe Ruth’s lifetime total.
- His remarkable but brief pitching record included 122 CG in 136 starts with 9 shut-outs
- In his great ’87 season, Smith started 52 games, completed 49 and went 34-17
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