- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: Pittsburgh
- Team: Pirates
- League: National League
Harmar Denny McKnight (1848-1900) was an owner/mgr in the early tumultuous days as the AA sparred with the NL. McKnight founded the Pittsburgh Alleghenys in the AA in 1881. The club was crippled in 1890 by the Player’s League recruiting most of the team. Undaunted, McKnight took over that short-lived franchise and established the Pirates in the NL.
- Was president of the American Association from 1882-86
- Managed the Alleghenys (Pirates) in 1884
- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: Pittsburgh
- Team: Pirates
- League: National 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.
Check out how the h is missing from Pittsburgh on Mack’s uniform. This photo was taken at a time when America was removing the h from “burgh”s across the country. Pittsburgh was officially spelled Pittsburg between 1891 and 1911. The most significant hobby-related incidence of this alternative spelling of Pittsburgh occurs on the T206 Wagner.
- 5x World Series Champion
- Most Managerial Wins: 3,731
- Most Managerial Losses: 3,948
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1937
- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: Pittsburgh
- Team: Pirates
- League: National League
Emerson Pink Hawley (1872-1938) was a good enough pitcher to be the opening day starter for 3 teams: the Cardinals, Pirates and Reds. In 10 years, Hawley went 167-179 with a 3.96 ERA for 5 clubs. A workhorse, Hawley had 297 complete games, including 44 in 1895 for Pittsburgh and a league-leading 34 in 1900 for the Giants.
- Called “a king of speedball artists,” the “Duke of Pittsburgh” even had a cigar named for him
- That fastball sometimes strayed as Hawley ranks 3rd all time in hit batsmen with 210
- On May 9, 1896 Hawley hit five Washington batsmen
- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: Pittsburgh
- Team: Pirates
- League: National League
Montford Montgomery Cross (1869-1934) enjoyed a 15 year career primarily in Philadelphia with the Phillies and, beginning in 1902, with the AL team, the Athletics. Cross consistently ranked first or near the top in several fielding categories such as shortstop assists and put-outs.
- Cross led the NL in strikeouts in 1901 and led the AL In the same category in 1906
- Upon his retirement in 1907, Cross was among the oldest major leaguers at 38
- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: Pittsburgh
- Team: Pirates
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Jacob Peter Beckley (1867-1918) was a durable first-baseman over a 20-year career. Though he never played for a pennant winner, Beckley hit .309 lifetime and held the games-played-at-first record until Eddie Murray surpassed him in 1994. Hit .300+ in 13 seasons (three different Pittsburgh clubs, Giants, Reds and Cards.) Upon his retirement, Beckley’s 2930 career hits made him second only to Cap Anson.
- Not above subterfuge, worked a hidden-ball trick on Honus Wagner using two balls
- Known for cheating on the base paths, was called out by the ump for “getting there too fast!” after racing from 2nd directly home while Blue wasn’t looking
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1971
Ars Longa Store
Newsletter
