Russell A. Carleton
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Russell A. Carleton
@pizzacutter4.bsky.social
2.1K followers 400 following 220 posts
Baseball Prospectus (emeritus) | author of "The Shift: The Next Evolution in Baseball Thinking" and "The New Ballgame: The Not-So-Hidden Forces Shaping Modern Baseball" (Triumph) | Quad-A Sabermetrician | he/him
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pizzacutter4.bsky.social
An "epic handshake" meme showing one arm, labeled "Dodgers" and the other labeled "Lorde" clasping hands under text that reads "That kind of Lux just ain't for us"
January 7, 2025 at 5:42 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
79/ In 1978, the Cuyahoga County Board of Commissioners proclaimed "Louis Sockalexis Day" going so far as to write to the Penobscot Nation asking them to develop "another Sockalexis."

(PD, 5/19/1978)
Article from Cleveland Plain Dealer (5/19/1978) detailing Louis Sockalexis Day. Headline is "County to hail father of Tribe."
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
78/ By 1975, the Plain Dealer itself was debunking the story.

(PD, 10/26/1975)
Article from Cleveland Plain Dealer (10/26/1975): When did the Cleveland Indians acquire that name? - W.D.T., Lakewood Jan. 16, 1915. This was 10 days after the club owner, Charles Somers, traded Napoleon Lajoie to Philadelphia. The team's nickname, Naps, no longer fit so Somers asked the sports editors of Cleveland newspapers to suggest a new one and from the list Somers selected Indians. No mention at the time was made about honoring an 1897-1898 player for the nine, a Penobscot Indian, Louis F. Sockalexis, so that oft-repeated reason appears unfounded. The Jan 17, 1915, PD said a Cleveland professional team had been called Indians briefly "many years before." An afternoon paper had called for readers' suggestions; among issues we were able to research, "Indians" wasn't mentioned, but "Some Hams" was -- from the first four letters of Somers' name and the last three letters of the name of manager Joe Birmingham.
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
69/ The next day (1/18/1915), the Cleveland Plain Dealer this article. It is unattributed and may have been a letter to the editor. It is often cited as evidence that Sockalexis was an inspiration for the name, but it makes some very curious claims.
Article from Cleveland Plain Dealer (1/18/1915) Many years ago there was an Indian named Sockalexis who was the star player of the Cleveland baseball club. As batter, fielder and base runner he was a marvel. Sockaleixs so far outshone hsi teammates that he naturally came to be regarded as the whole team. The "fans" throughout the country began to call the Clevalanders the "Indians" It was an honorable name and while it stuck the team made an excellent record. It has now been decided to revive this name. The Clevealands of 1915 will be the "Indians." There will be no real red Indians on the roster but the name recall fine traditions. It is looking backward to a time when Cleveland had one of the most popular teams of the United States. It also serves to revive the memory of a single great player who has been gathered to his fathers in the happy hunting grounds of the Abreakis. Even before the time of Sockalexis there was another great era of Cleveland baseball history. Patsy Tebeay, the Mugsy McGrow of his day, got together an aggregation of mediocre players, and by the sheet forcefulness of his personality made them a winning team. Never was there a baseball organization which fought so hard or so unscrupulously. There was nothing ladylike or Chesterfieldian in the Tebeau methods. But his team was liked, nevertheless for it won, and that is the main requirement in baseball. Tebeau called his team the "Spiders" and now it has been decided to revive the name and apply it to Cleveland's American Association team. Rechristened "Indians" and "Spiders" Cleveland's two teams will have high traditions to live up to this season. Every baseball enthusiast of the SIxth City will hipe that they may prove worthy of their namesakes.
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
64/ So how did they land on "Indians" if not for Sockalexis? The Plain Dealer write-up gives us some hints.

1) It was a familiar name that had been used. Indeed, since they were re-naming baseball teams, the writers renamed the local American Association team Spiders.
Article from Cleveland Plain Dealer (1/17/1915). Baseball Writers Select "Indians" As the Best Name to Apply to the Former Naps With the going of Nap Lajoie to the Athletics, a new name had to be selected for the Cleveland American League club. President Somers invited that Cleveland baseball writers to make the selection. The title of Indians was their choice, it having been one of the names applied to the old National league club of Cleveland many years ago. The nickname, however, is but temporarily bestowed, as the club may so conduct itself during the present season as to earn some other cognomen which may be more appropriate. The choice of a name that would be significant just now was rather difficult with the club itself anchored in last place. While picking a name for the Cleveland Al team, the committee also agreed that the Cleveland AA team owned too many names, and that while they were at it, it might be well to agree on just one name for the erstwhile Bearcats. Consequently, the other old nicknames of the Cleveland National leaguers was adopted and henceforth all the local papers will call the AA club the Spiders. So there you are -- Indians and Spiders.
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
61/ On January 15th, the Plain Dealer ran this notice. The meeting was at 2:30 and the writers were already talking about a merely temporary name. It seems that no grand gesture to honor anyone or anything was afoot.
Article from Cleveland Plain Dealer (1/15/1915) Baseball Writers to Rename Naps Today President C. W. Somers has called a meeting of the baseball writers of Cleveland for 2:30 pm today for the purpose of selecting a new name for the Cleveland American League club as obviously the title of Naps cannot be carried by it any longer. It is quite possible that merely a temporary name be selected and that the club itself be forced to do out and make its own nickname.
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
52/ There were 10(!) days between the sale of Lajoie's contract and the choice of the new name. Somers turned to the local baseball writers of the city, looking for "a name that will be short, expressive and appropriate." (PD, 1/6/1915).
Article from Cleveland Plain Dealer (1/6/1915). Must Select New Name for Naps Now Larry's Out Charley Somers Proposes Conference of Baseball Writers for Purpose. Lajoie to Bat Fourth or Fifth for Athletics Connie Mack Says Cleveland Has Best Training Camp in Land. A new name must be selected for the Cleveland American league baseball club now, as with the going of Nap Lajoie, the name of Naps is a misnomer. Tis fact was one of the first things that Charley Somers thought of after disposing of his star player to Philadelphia and he has announced that he intends calling a conference of the baseball writers of Cleveland to select a new name for the team, a name that will be short, expressive, and appropriate. Probably he will do this during the present week.
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
50/ No one called them Molly McGuires. The issue came to a head on January 5th, 1915 when Lajoie's contract was sold to Philadelphia. In retrospect, it was offloading an expensive, but declining veteran to save money.

But Somers was in financial trouble (Plain Dealer 1/1/1915)
Headlines from Cleveland Plain Dealer (1/1/1915) Somers Creditor Agree to Extend Majority of Holders of Coal Man's Notes to Wait Year for Payment
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
40/ Two days later, the Plain Dealer (12/26/1913) printed a tribute to Sockalexis which praised his natural talent, but lamented his unfulfilled promise.

"He fell into bad habits and became utterly beyond the reach of discipline. He was only an Indian after all."
Article from Cleveland Plain Dealer (12/28/1913) in tribute to the passing of Louis Sockalexis entitled "A Greatness Which Killed"
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
38/ In August 1906, Sockalexis was seen in downtown Cleveland, but he was just passing through. He did not maintain close contact with the city, but was still clearly a recognizable figure.
Selection from Cleveland Plain Dealer (8/24/1906): Sockalexis in the City A man representing himself as Louis Sockalexis, the once famous Indian ball player who played right field for the Cleveland team eleven years ago, created quite a stir down town last night among the baseball fans. In appearance and actions this man is a dead ringer for Sockalexis and he claimed that that was his right name and that he played with the Cleveland team under Pat Tebeau. While describing his mission here "Sock" said that he had come west to confer with a manager of one of the western teams and just stopped off over night.
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
37/ What is written about him in Cleveland isn't flattering. In 1904, an article about an end-of-year YMCA banquet quotes a speaker who talks about the distinction between Sockalexis and "carelessness in his personal habits" with the more exemplary Cy Young. Sockalexis is "forgotten."
Selection from Cleveland Plain Dealer (12/29/1904) The relevant section reads: "As an example of the quick effect on the physical make up of the man, I cite the examples in baseball of Sockalexis and 'Cy' Young. Sockalexis sprang int the favor of the local public by his excellent playing ability, but carelessness in personal habits worked quick and permanent disaster to him and today he is forgotten. But 'Cy' Young by his exemplary habits, has not only extended the time of his endurance as a professional player but has set an example of the propriety of right living that is known by every lover of clean sports.
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
33/ In the 1899 sham trades that broke the Spiders, Tebeau was one of the players sent to St. Louis and also assumed manager duties there. He was relieved of duty in 1900, but not before his team in St. Louis developed a reputation.
Story from Cleveland Plain Dealer (7/6/1900). Same Old "Rowdies" Tebeau's men are evidently living up tot heir reputation or at least are being charged with living up to it, whether they deserve the charges or not. An eastern exchange says: Umpires in teh National League claim that Tebeau's Hibernians are the worst in the league when it comes to making things unpleasant for the fellow who passes judgment on strikes and balls. Their rowdy and rough horse methods not only sicken the umpires, but the spectators as well. Last spring, when when the season opened, President Robison promised to see to it that his Indians behaved like half civilized whites, but the St. Louis players have indulged in more rowdy tactics than ever.
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
32/ There's also a story (PD 1/19/1903) in which Hall of Fame manager John McGraw remembers the 1895 Temple Cup series against "Tebeau's Indians." The story is about the two managers drinking after the games and meeting a well-known boxer, and as the text points out, may not be true.
Section of a Plain Dealer story (1/19/1903): The relevant piece reads: "Johnny McGraw is "spelling" this tale, which tells of an amazing incident which happened when "Patsy" Tebeau met Pugilist Fitzsimmons: "The old Baltimore National league champions were in Cleveland playing off the Temple Cup series with Pat Tebeau's Indians." said McGraw, "and let me go on record as stating that, bar the Orioles, a better team than those Indians were never got together." The story continues to discuss the two men's friendship off the field and relates a story of Tebeau meeting a famous boxer. There is an addendum where the writer states that McGraw was not in town when Tebeau met Fitzsimmons, so it is not clear whether the story itself is true.
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
31/ We see the same theme here in a recap of a winter "indoor baseball" game on December 28, 1901
The days when Pat Tebeau and his scrappy aggregation of Indians used to cavort about League Park and incidentally abuse the umpire were recalled at the Grays' armory last night when the Cleveland Wheel Club and Occidental Indoor baseball clubs me for the first time this season.
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
30/ Again from from the Plain Dealer on May 9th, 1901

There's a callback to "Tebeau's Indians" on the basis that the team argued with the umpire.
The early part of the game reminded one of the old times, when Tebeau's Indians used to argue with umpires and opponents. The Cleveland players were well entitled to the kicks that they registered, and the audience showed sympathy for them. Umpire Sheridan's eye seemed to be decidedly off. When Cleveland batted, he saw a plate about three feet wide, but when Hoffer attempted to put the ball over the plate shrunk until it only displayed a surface of a few inches. This caused many an argument, and finally LaChance was sent to the bench before he had a chance to bat.
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
29/ In 1900, the Grand Rapids Rustlers of the Western League relocated from Michigan to Cleveland. This is the franchise that still operates in Cleveland.

Something interesting happens when we read reports from their games.

(Plain Dealer, May 13, 1900)
In the first game that the Brewers played here, they made the Cleveland aggregation look very much like a collection of soiled duces in a bunch of new decks. In the next two games there was a shift. There was more ginger in McAleer's team in the last two games than has been noticeable in any time that has represented Cleveland since the old Indians were in their prime, and it must be remembered that they have not been in their prime since the year that the Temple Cup was won, which was away back in 1895, ancient history in baseball at the present date.
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
27/ In August, 1900, Sockalexis was sentenced to 30 days in jail on charges of vagrancy.
News article from Cleveland Plain Dealer, 8/24/1900 Sockalexis Comes to Grief Holyoke, Mass., Aug. 23 -- Louis S. Sockalexis, the Indian and former Cleveland ball player, who won his first game as a member of the Holy Cross college nine, was today sent to the county jail for thirty days for vagrancy. He was found last night by a policeman in a tumble down shanty, his appearance indicating dire want and lack of care. In court today, he attributed his downfall to liquor. "They liked me in the baseball business," he said, "and I liked firewater. Between the two, I have come to this."
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
15/ And then recapping the team's first regular season series against the Louisville Colonels.
Quote from a Cleveland Plain Dealer article, reprinted from the Louisville Courier-Journal, 4/22/1897 Sockalexis, the Indian, was cheered at almost every move he made. As a matter of fact, he had little to do. He caught a long fly very prettily and the spectators remarked at his grace. He is certainly a ball player, but could not touch Fraser's delivery. As was predicted, the crowd tried to have some fun with Sockalexis' name and imitated the warwhoop of various Indian tribes, to all of which the handsome Indian smiled good naturedly. He is educated and cultivated. -- Louisville Courier-Journal.
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
14/ On April 9th, the Plain Dealer printed a fan's poem about the upcoming season that contained this stanza about Sockalexis.
Quote from a Cleveland Plain Dealer story, 4/9/1897 We've got a team of hustlers, That are always in the game, And if deer speed Sockalexis Proves a credit to his name For that little piece of hunting We will make a gallant fight With the only scalper in the biz A-running around in right.
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
12/ But clearly, signing Sockalexis pushed the name into regular use. On March 22nd, the Plain Dealer re-printed this. The casual racism it indulges in is cringy to read now, but it was routinely printed in major papers and no one thought that strange.
The signing of the gifted Sockalexis, the full blooded Indian, as a player for the Cleveland baseball team is regarded as an event. For scouting on the outfield Sockalexis is said to have no equal, while the exultant war whoop as he gathers in a fly is something which breeds a panic in the breasts of the opposing nine and causes them clutch instinctively for their respective scalps. Bur fancy the liberties the bleaching boards will take with the name of Sockalexis! And the merry printer in building up his table of baseball records will put him down as plain Sock every time, -- New York Advertiser.
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
10/ There also survives this artifact (again, thanks @johnthorn.bsky.social) showing the 1897 team as "Indians" which notably _doesn't_ include Sockalexis. It's possible that they simply didn't have a photo of Sockalexis available to put on it.
Photo of a pinback showing "The Cleveland Ball Club" and hailing them as "The 1897 Indians." The pin features portraits of thirteen players from the 1897 Spiders, though notably, not Louis Sockalexis.
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
6/ On March 1st, 1897, the Plain Dealer had printed some minor off-season news for the club, referring to them exclusively as "Spiders"

On March 14th, we see the first reference (of many to come) to the team as "Indians." Notably, the article mentions that Sockalexis had not gotten to Cleveland.
Text from Cleveland Plain Dealer story of 3/14/1897: Tebeau and His Indians By the end of this week all the Cleveland players will have reported for practice, and baseball will be the topic from then on. All the players have signed with the exception of Burkett, but as soon as he reaches this city he will bring along his signed contract. There are twenty players on the roll call, but all, with the exception of three have been seen on the local diamond. The three new players, of which so much is expected are Pappalau, Sockalexis, and Powell. They are said to be a strong trio and will assist greatly in bringing the pennant to this city. Manager Tebeay, says that, although he knows Manager Hanlon of Baltimore has a strong team, the Orioles will not win the pennant. (The story continues, though to another topic.)
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
5/ In late 1896, Sockalexis transferred to Notre Dame with the intention of playing there in 1897. Cleveland manager Patsy Tebeau had known of Sockalexis and made a trip to South Bend. In March 1897, Sockalexis signed for Cleveland.

(Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 10, 1897)
Text of Cleveland Plain Dealer article 3/14/1897: Manager Tebeau of the Cleveland team went to South Bend, Ind. yesterday on a little scouting expedition, and the result was that he signed Sockalexis, the player whom several teams have been trying to land for some time. Tebeau first noticed Sockalexis last season, when he was on the Holy Cross college team at Worchester, Mass. An effort was made to secure him, but it failed at the time, and a close watch has been kept on him ever since. Burkett was recently instructed to sign the player, but failed to get at him, and Tebeau finally located him. Sockalexis is said to be a fine outfielder and a wonderful batter. He is a full-blooded Indian.
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM
pizzacutter4.bsky.social
4/ Sockalexis had some national prominence even as an amateur. The national Sporting Life first mentions Sockalexis in 1895.

digital.la84.org/digital/coll...

Sockalexis appeared in the Boston Herald on August 26, 1894.
Text of Boston Herald article from 8/26/1894 regarding Sockalexis: Sockalexis of the Poland Spring team is said to have thrown a ball 135 1/4 yards at Poland Spring recently.
November 25, 2024 at 12:31 AM