Lajoie, << LASH uh way, >> Napoleon (1874-1959), sometimes called Larry, is often considered the finest second baseman ever to play baseball. Lajoie ranks among the greatest hitters in the history of the game, with 3,242 hits and a lifetime batting average of .338. His 657 doubles rank seventh among all major league batters. Lajoie won the triple crown of batting in 1901. That year, he led the American League in batting average (.426), home runs (14), and runs batted in (125). His .426 batting average is the American League record. He led the American League in batting in 1903 and 1904. Lajoie was also known for his grace and speed as a fielder.
Lajoie was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, on Sept. 5, 1874. He began his major league career in 1896 with the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League. In 1901, he moved to the Philadelphia Athletics of the new American League. Lajoie’s playing skill and his popularity with fans are credited with helping to establish the American League.
In 1902, Lajoie moved to the Cleveland Bronchos, a franchise that was close to bankruptcy. He helped revive the team, which became known as the Naps in his honor in 1903. The team is now called the Guardians. Lajoie played for Cleveland through the 1914 season. He was the team’s player-manager from 1905 to 1909. Lajoie played for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1915 and 1916 and then retired. In 1937, Lajoie was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He died on Feb. 7, 1959,
