Interesting 1911 NY Highlanders card with Chase content
Justin "Mike" Fitzgerald had a brief major league baseball career, playing in just a handful of games for the NY Highlanders in 1911 and the Phillies in 1918 (where he led the league in pinch hits with 8). In between he played in the PCL for a number of teams, leading the league in hitting once. His claim to fame professionally was having played with the Highlanders when Hal Chase was the player/manager in 1911. Fitzgerald was just 20 that year and had just 37 at bats.
Here's a handwritten card he sent to "Henry" wherein he talks about Chase as "the greatest 1st Baseman of all time" as well as teammate Harry Wolter who later became the long-running manager of Stanford's baseball team. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1789/...69f17dd6_z.jpg In this note he mentions a postcard of the 1911 Highlanders that he was to send along to Henry; he was referring to this PC, the only card I believe he's ever been on. Fitzgerald is at the top to the left of Chase's head. Wolter is at the left margin, in the middle. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3157/...eb08b2fc_o.jpg This is the full content of the index card note to Henry: My Dear Henry Hal Chase the greatest 1st Baseman of all time was the Mgr of N.Y. in 1911. You may be able to get his autograph by writing Alameda County Hospital. He has been sick and things have been break- ing tough for him. Harry Wolter, Baseball “over” Coach at Stanford University, located at Pao Alto was also a member of that 1911 team. I believe I have a post card of the club and if I can find it will mail it to you. The Yankees’ were nicknamed the High- landers in those days. Justin Fitzgerald |
Very cool Jeff. Any thoughts on what year Fitz might've written the note? He talks about 1911 as "in those days".
According to SABR, he was in the hospital in '41 and '47, so perhaps one of those years? Perhaps you said the year in your post but I overlooked it? Anyway, neat item! |
I see on the SGC flip that the auther died in '45, so is '41 a good circa?
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Yes, sometime between 1941 and when Fitzgerald died in 1945.
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Jeff--Fitzgerald's note, and his reference to the 1911 Highlanders PC, is a wonderful historic document. This kind of primary baseball source contributes to our understanding of the early game. It was a delight to read, and thank you for sharing it.
Cheers, Mike |
Santa Clara connection
Cool piece. Thanks for sharing. Chase, Wolter, and Fitzgerald all played for Santa Clara College (now Santa Clara university). I seem to recall that Chase played a role in getting both Wolter and Fitzgerald to the major league level.
I'm pretty sure that Fitzgerald also returned to Santa Clara to coach. Chase and Wolter also played together for the San Jose Prune Pickers. |
Some pics
3 Attachment(s)
Figured that I'd add a few pictures to put faces with the names.
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Great postcard and history, thanks for sharing it.
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Great stuff! Love that postcard, too
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk |
Hi Jeff
This is really interesting stuff. Thanks for posting it. Speaking of Harry Wolter, he was quite an interesting character. He probably holds the record for the most number of teams played on.....total of the Major Leagues and the Minor Leagues. http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...erDRUMx50x.jpg . http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...lterDRUMbk.jpg TED Z T206 Reference . |
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