Deadball Era Heroes: The Home Run Champ

[Dead-Ball-Hitter]

What player hit the most home runs in the deadball era? Home Run Baker? No. Frank Shulte? Nap Lajoie? No, and no. None other than Gavvy Cravath, who hit 119 home runs in baseball’s infamous two decade era from approximately 1900 to 1920. He was the league leader in home runs for six seasons in his career.

According to SABR, Gavvy’s philosophy was summed up in this comment he once made, “Short singles are like left-hand jabs in the boxing ring, but a home run is a knock-out punch!” Gavvy often went for the knockout! Even the nickname “Gavvy” reflects the wild power of his swing. Again, SABR researchers note the following likely origin of this affectionate title: “It’s apparently a contraction for the Spanish word gaviota, which means “seagull.” During a Sunday game in the early 1900s, Cravath reportedly hit a ball so hard that it killed a seagull in flight. Mexican fans shouted “Gaviota.” The English nickname “Gavvy” thereafter took hold.

How about some love for a great early player overlooked by the Hall of Fame? Feel free to post your favorite Cravath cards! Here’s mine…

[riggs336]

He may have been "Gavvy" to the public, but Cravath himself always signed his nickname with one "v".

[Dead-Ball-Hitter]

Nice point and fantastic signature!

[T206Collector]

[mrreality68]

Good reminder/lesson in early baseball history

[molenick]

One thing that may have hurt Cravath in overall recognition is that he was much better at home than on the road, especially regarding home runs (including 1914 when he hit 19 at home and 0 on the road). Of course, Chuck Klein and Larry Walker are in the Hall with large home-away splits...but their overall numbers are better than Cravath. (Unfortunately, I have no cards of his to post.)

[jason.1969]

I have to imagine the Baker Bowl padded his numbers!

92 HR at home and 27 on the road!

[molenick]

Just to add that Jason's post is consistent with mine....Cravath did hit 92 home runs in the Baker Bowl as a home player....he also hit one at home while not playing for the Phillies.

[brianp-beme]

Gavvy is my one claim to fame in regards to a T206 run. None of the real toughies (No Carolina Brights, nor Broadleaf, Drum or Tolstoi, if these three backs exist), because I am a noted toughie wimp.

Brian (some might identify me as a constipated collector, as I tend not to have the runs)

[Dead-Ball-Hitter]

Originally Posted by molenick

One thing that may have hurt Cravath in overall recognition is that he was much better at home than on the road, especially regarding home runs (including 1914 when he hit 19 at home and 0 on the road). Of course, Chuck Klein and Larry Walker are in the Hall with large home-away splits...but their overall numbers are better than Cravath. (Unfortunately, I have no cards of his to post.)

Nice analysis Michael. True enough, I think the friendly home ballpark is held against him!

Brian, awesome variety of T206's!

[Bobbycee]

Thanks for this interesting thread, Joe. Good stuff! Cravath's T206 issue is an underrated card. Nice looking one at that too.

[Tabe]

To be fair to Gavy/Gavvy, even with the short RF dimensions at Baker Bowl, the wall was still quite tall. Definitely tougher than a Polo Grounds pop fly to hit a homer there.

[Casey2296]

Wrong thread
_