Nap Lajoie
Lajoie Called it Quits as Team Manager 109 Years Ago This Week
August 15, 2018 | Vince GuerrieriIn 1908, Cleveland’s American League team – then known as the Naps in honor of player-manager Napoleon Lajoie – came agonizingly close to the American League pennant, losing to the Tigers by a half-game because of a game Detroit had no interest in making up (the rule was changed in the offseason).
The following year, the Naps stumbled out of the gate, and 109 years ago this week, the team’s manager and namesake stepped aside.
On August 17, 1909, with the Naps sitting at 57-57 for the year in fourth place, Lajoie announced his resignation, which came as a surprise to owner Charles Somers and president John Kilfoyl, who hastened to say that Lajoie would remain a player for the team.
The New York Times reported that the team was riven with factionalism and infighting, which might have contributed to poor play, but the Plain Dealer said he was “a bigger man because of his resignation.” Read More
Today in Tribe History: April 21, 1910
April 21, 2018 | Bob TothThe Naps open new League Park, but the Detroit Tigers spoil the day’s celebration as they defeat Cleveland by a 5-0 score. Read More
Today in Tribe History: March 17, 1907
March 17, 2018 | Bob TothCleveland Naps vice president Charles Somers and manager Nap Lajoie firmly reject a proposed trade with the Detroit Tigers that would have sent Ty Cobb to Cleveland for Elmer Flick. Read More
Today in Tribe History: February 7, 1959
February 7, 2018 | Bob TothLong-time member of Cleveland’s American League baseball franchise and its one-time namesake, Nap Lajoie, passes away from pneumonia. He was 84 years old. Read More
Today in Tribe History: January 19, 1937
January 19, 2018 | Bob TothIn a very Cleveland-centric Hall of Fame vote, three former members of the American League franchise are elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America as part of the second class elected. Read More
Today in Tribe History: September 27, 1914
September 27, 2017 | Bob TothNap Lajoie joins the 3,000 hit club, becoming just the second Major League ball player* to do so. Honus Wagner previously beat him to the plateau earlier in the season on June 9th. Read More
Today in Tribe History: September 5, 1874
September 5, 2017 | Bob TothNap Lajoie is born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Read More
Today in Tribe History: April 21, 1910
April 21, 2017 | Bob TothThe Naps open new League Park, but the Detroit Tigers spoil the day’s celebration as they defeat Cleveland by a 5-0 score. Read More
Today in Tribe History: March 17, 1907
March 17, 2017 | Bob TothCleveland Naps vice president Charles Somers and manager Nap Lajoie firmly reject a proposed trade with the Detroit Tigers that would have sent Ty Cobb to Cleveland for Elmer Flick. Read More
Today in Tribe History: February 7, 1959
February 7, 2017 | Bob TothLong-time member of Cleveland’s American League baseball franchise and its one-time namesake, Nap Lajoie, passes away from pneumonia. He was 84 years old. Read More
Today in Tribe History: January 19, 1937
January 19, 2017 | Bob TothIn a very Cleveland-centric Hall of Fame vote, three former members of the American League franchise are elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America as part of the second election. Read More
Today in Tribe History: September 27, 1914
September 27, 2016 | Bob TothNap Lajoie joins the 3,000 hit club, becoming just the second Major League ball player* to do so. Honus Wagner previously beat him to the plateau earlier in the season on June 9. Read More
