Lou Sockalexis played for the Cleveland Spiders from
1897 to 1899. He was the first American Indian to play major league ball. The Spiders, soon
to become the Cleveland Naps, were renamed in his honor in 1915 as the Cleveland Indians. Sockalexis left baseball
after three seasons with a lifetime average of .313.
Archibald "Moonlight" Graham, featured in the "Field of Dreams" movie, played one half inning in the
major leagues and never got to bat! He was with the New York Giants in 1905. He retired from the game and became a doctor in his home town of Chisolm, Minnesota.
Charles "Chief" Bender
Phila A's 1903-1914
"Chief" Bender pitched for the A's from 1903 to 1914, leading them to the World Series on five occasions. He
finished his career with a 210-127 record and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1953. Born in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, he
graduated from the Carlisle (Pa) Indian School as a member of the Chippewa tribe. He led the American League in winning
percentage on three occasions, and pitched a no hitter against Cleveland in 1910.
Cornelius McGilicuddy
"Connie Mack"
Manager Phila A's
1901-1950
The "Grand Old Man of Baseball", Connie Mack was born in Massachusetts in 1862. His career began in 1886
as a catcher with the Washington Nationals. He finished his playing days with the Pirates in 1896. He managed the
Pirates from 1894 to 1896, and took over the A's in 1901. He had some of the best and worst teams in history. The A's
of 1929-1932 are arguably the best collection of ballplayers in the history of the game. He led the A's to eight American
League pennants and five world championships. He passed away in Philadelphia in 1956 and is the grandfather of the
current Senator from Florida, Connie Mack III. Shibe Park, home of the A's, from 1909 until their move to Kansas City in 1954,
was renamed "Connie Mack Stadium" in his honor.
"Casey" Stengel
1890-1975
Stengel spent fourteen seasons as a player in the major leagues, spending time with Brooklyn, Pittsburgh, the Phillies,
the New York Giants and the Boston Braves. He finished with a .284 average, hit the first home run in Ebbets Field, and won two
games with homers with the Giants in the 1923 world series. He is best known for his managerial stint with the great Yankee teams of
the 50's. His Yankees won 10 pennants and 7 World Championships, including five in a row in a 12 year stretch of his stewardship. He also managed the Mets for several years in the 60's. His
1958 testimony at the U.S. Senate hearings on baseball and the anti-trust laws will always be remembered. He was truly a baseball
great and a great ambassador for the game.
