Noteworthy players and their cards: Lave Cross

[GeoPoto]

Since the board of late has trended toward discussions of criminal proceedings, market price exuberances, national show shenanigans, and yelling at clouds, I miss the opportunities to show off Washington players and their cards. So, when I recently revisited Lave Cross and noted his substantial career, which is poorly documented by baseball cards coming as it did during the hiatus in marketing pressure brought about by ATC's success gaining a monopoly and their failure to keep it, I decided to once again bring him (and at least one of his cards) to your attention. Fortunately, Cross finished his remarkable career in Washington, which allows me to have a card of sorts. (If there are other Cross cards out there, I would love to see them.)

Before I get to Lave's card, I offer these highlights regarding his place in baseball history:

< Born Vratislav Kriz, we can be grateful he changed it to Lafayette Napoleon Cross, which gave rise to the nickname "Lave".

< Lave played 21 MLB seasons between 1887 and 1907, including stints in the American Association and the Player's League as well as the National and American Leagues.

< He finished with 2,651 hits, a career .292 batting average, and 303 stolen bases.

< When he retired, he ranked fifth in major league history in hits (2,644) and runs batted in (1,371), ninth in doubles (411) and total bases (3,466), and third in games played (2,275) and at bats (9,064).

< He also excelled as a defensive player. After beginning his major league career as a catcher, he led third basemen in fielding percentage five times and ended his career with nearly every fielding record at that position: games (1,721), putouts (2,306), assists (3,706), total chances (6,406), and fielding average (.938).

< He won a National League Pennant with the Brooklyn Superbas in 1900 and captained Mack's Philadelphia Athletics teams that won two of the first five pennants in the American League (1902 and 1905).

And he (after a 25-cent haircut and shave) stumbled onto this card (As always: Thanks for listening!):

[judsonhamlin]

Nice write-up. Lave has Old Judge cards from
His time at Louisville. He may be the only player to drive in over 100 runs without hitting even one home run.

[doug.goodman]

The Stage
June 22, 1889

[molenick]

Originally Posted by judsonhamlin

Nice write-up. Lave has Old Judge cards from
His time at Louisville. He may be the only player to drive in over 100 runs without hitting even one home run.

Hugh Jennings had 121 RBIs and 0 home runs in 1896. I don't know if there has been anyone else.

[puckpaul]

My favorite Lave Cross card.

[kkkkandp]

One of Lave's Old Judge poses...

[mybuddyinc]

I'm also a big Lave fan .....

Years ago, there was discussion that Dahlen should be considered for the HOF, decent argument. Now if you look at Cross' stats vs. Dahlen, you will see that they are Very similar. Maybe not quite HOF, but, imo, very close.

HAHA -- to add a card ......................

lavcx.jpg

Since my "mid-tier" set is missing Tolstoi Monte Cross, I always wanted a "unique filler." ..................

Fun, fun, Scott

[z28jd]

I noticed this a few years ago, and it has changed since then (adding two players to the total) due to Negro League players from 1920-48 being considered Major League players BUT there were seven players with the last name Cross in the majors from 1884 through 1901. There has been one in the AL/NL/FL since 1901. How did Cross go from one of the most common names in baseball to one of the least common?

Also, I'm a fan of Lave Cross going into Cooperstown. I don't think people properly credit him for being a catcher at the start of his career. He caught during each of his first eight seasons (technically nine if you count one game in 1895). He then moved to third base and led the league in fielding percentage five times. He moves to third base earlier in his career and then he plays more often during his early years, so he compiles more stats. You have to factor in his catching when looking at the overall package.

Eight of his ten most comparable players all-time are in the Hall of Fame according to Baseball-Reference.

[Michael Peich]

Good thread.

I've always liked Lave as well and offer here one of the most difficult cards in Series 5 of T210. It took me 6+ years to find this card and complete the series.

Cheers,
Mike

[sb1]

His Sporting Life debut

[GeoPoto]

Thanks for all the responses. I said Cross was poorly documented in cards. You guys have proven me wrong. A lot of great cards!

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