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Bill Carrigan played catcher for the Boston Red Sox for a decade from 1906-1916. He also served as the club’s skipper for seven seasons, four of which were in the capacity of player-manager. During that time he helped Boston win three World Series championships. The much-respected Carrigan also holds the distinction of being the first manager for the game’s greatest player — Babe Ruth. The pair teamed to bring the Red Sox back-to-back championships in 1915 and 1916. By piloting his team to the two titles he joined Frank Chance and Connie Mack as the only managers to that point to win multiple championships. By 2016, 20 more managers would win two or more World Series to join Carrigan in the exclusive club. Of them 15 are in the Hall of Fame. Not Bill Carrigan.

Though he has yet to gain induction, Carrigan was so admired that he was recognized by the Hall of Fame in 1946. That year the “Honor Rolls of Baseball” were formed as a second tier of induction for non-players. Only five managers were selected for the Honor Rolls — Ned Hanlon, Bill Carrigan, John Montgomery Ward, Miller Huggins, and Frank Selee. All are now enshrined except Carrigan.

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Hall of Fame outfielder Harry Hooper played with catcher Bill Carrigan in Boston from 1909 through 1916. In fact, Carrigan was the player-manager of the Sox for four of those years.

When Hooper was asked to identify his all-time team, he selected Carrigan as both the catcher and the manager. Most of Hooper’s picks were former teammates; all from from Hooper’s era.

Hall of Fame pitcher Walter Johnson as Hooper’s choice as the right-handed pitcher while fellow Cooperstown man Eddie Collins was the the pick at second base.

From there, Hooper goes to his teammates. In addition to Carrigan, Hooper picks Dutch Leonard as his right-handed pitcher, and his teammates from the Golden Outfield, Duffy Lewis and Hall of Famer Tris Speaker.

Hooper’s responses here are just two of eight replies to a fan’s questioning. The others include his thoughts on being a Hall of Famer, how he’ll be remembered, and the Black Sox scandal. Those an be seen on by clicking here.

 

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The previous letter in which Harry Hooper identified Bill Carrigan as his choice as the catcher and manager on his all-time team arrived in this envelope. Notice Hooper’s signature in the return address portion. The question of his all time team was one of only 8 queries that Hooper wrote about. His insightful reflections about the Black Sox scandal, the feeling of being a Hall of Famer, as well as how he wants to be remembered can be seen on Hooper’s page by clicking here.

Handwritten letters from men who played more than 100 years ago remain highly valued by collectors and fans alike.

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Despite being an integral part of three Boston World Series champions, Bill Carrigan is perhaps best remember for being Babe Ruth’s first manager in the big leagues. A prodigious signer, Ruth autographs can be found on virtually every medium. Everything he signed continues to increase in value due to sustained demand. Of particular interest are autographed pictures of the Bambino. Ruth had copies of this photo that he signed later in life. Most of the examples of his autograph on this photo are personalized and penned in green ink, just as this one is. For much more on Ruth’s career and detailed information about his Called Shot, click here.

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Imagine what $1,000 could buy at the height of the Great Depression. Babe Ruth made out this personal check to his wife Claire on July 1, 1937 for just that amount. Signed “GH Ruth”, as was typical for legal documents, the check bears the name “Babe Ruth” on the left side. For much more on Ruth’s career and detailed information about his Called Shot, click here. Bill Carrigan was the Bambino’s first Major League manager.