MLB History in Seven Degrees of Separation
Degree 7: Sept. 8, 1896
Napoleon Lajoie was just a 21-year-old recruit with a fancy name when he made his major league debut in August of 1896. Less than two weeks later, Lajoie crossed paths with the game’s reigning immortal, 44-year-old Adrian C. “Cap” Anson of the Chicago Colts.
Anson had been a big leaguer since the National League began, playing in Chicago’s first game on April 25, 1876. Before that, Anson had been a pro in the loosely organized National Association since 1871, playing for Rockford and then for the Athletics of Philadelphia.
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His teams won National League pennants in 1876, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1885, and 1886. By 1896 though, Anson’s game had slowed, although with a .331 average he could still swing the bat. But he was a liability in the field and on the bases.
Lajoie was everything that Anson had once been. He debuted with the Phillies following as brief professional introduction with Fall River in the Class B New England League. The scouts who signed Lajoie on the basis of that little evidence certainly earned their money; he hit .326 as a rookie and never dipped below .300 until 1908
Over time Lajoie would win five batting titles, most notably that sensational .426 season with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1901.
Anson and Lajoie met several times between Lajoie’s arrival and Anson’s departure following the 1897 season. Possibly their earliest meeting occurred Sept. 8 at Chicago’s West Side Park. Lajoie got an early chance to contribute, batting with a runner on base and one run already across against Colts starter Clark Griffith. But he could manage nothing more than an easy ground out that ended the inning.
Anson failed to contribute to a three-run bottom of the first, but in the second his long fly carried over the head of center fielder Duff Cooley, allowing two base runners to score and sending Anson to third with a triple. Chicago would go on to win 7-3. Anson added a single and stolen base to his run-producing triple; Lajoie managed one hit in four at-bats off Griffith, who also struck him out once.
And there you have the history of 143 seasons of baseball in seven interludes:
C.C. Sabathia met Cal Ripken in August of 2001. Ripken played against Bert Campaneris in August of 1981. Bert Campaneris faced Robin Roberts in August of 1964. Robin Roberts played with Schoolboy Rowe in 1948. Schoolboy Rowe faced Babe Ruth in July of 1933. Babe Ruth faced Napoleon Lajoie in July of 1914. Napoleon Lajoie met Cap Anson in September of 1896. Cap Anson played in the first major league season in April of 1876.