Max Carey
| Birthdate | 1/11/1890 |
| Death Date | 5/30/1976 |
| Debut Year | 1910 |
| Year of Induction | 1961 |
| Teams | Dodgers, Pirates |
| Position | Center Field |
Max Carey led the National League in stolen bases ten times during his 20-year career. He held the NL career mark until Lou Brock broke it in 1974.
In the collection:
Ultra rare Max Carnarius signature from 1912 - do others exist?
Ultra rare Max Carnarius signature from 1912 - do others exist?
Born in 1890 to Prussian immigrants, Max Carey’s name at birth was Maximillian George Carnarius. With his parents pushing him to become a minister, Carey graduated from a seminary in Indiana before attending Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in his quest to fulfill his parents’ wishes. While at Concordia, Carey played baseball, swam and ran on their track-and-field teams. In the summer of 1909 Carey went to a minor league baseball game that featured the South Bend Greens who had recently sold their shortstop. Carey then convinced the South Bend manager Aggie Grant to let him play the rest of the season. To protect his amateur at status at Concordia, Carnarius went by the name Max Carey. Â In the collection is a “Max Carnarius” signature on the back of an envelope used to mail a letter to his future wife. Though “Max Carey” signatures are readily available on the market, examples featuring his true last name are rarely found.
Front of the envelope with the "Carnarius" signature
Front of the envelope with the "Carnarius" signature
A look at the postmark on the front of the envelope reveals a mailing date of November 30, 1912 from Carey’s home town of Terre Haute, Indiana. Carey was in his third Major League season with the Pirates by that time. That season Carey recorded 45 stolen bases, good for second in the league. In 1913, Carey would begin a 13-year run in which he led the National League in thefts ten times.
Envelope addressed to "Mrs. Max Carey" from 1913
Envelope addressed to "Mrs. Max Carey" from 1913
A year after the “Carnarius” envelope was signed, Carey mailed this to his wife. Providing another early example of his signature, the piece is addressed to “Mrs. Max Carey”. The six-page letter that follows was originally housed in this envelope. Carey enjoyed a 20-year career from 1910-1929 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1961.
First two pages of 6-page handwritten letter
First two pages of 6-page handwritten letter
“Shoot it, lost again! Great ball-club we are. We couldn’t beat the St. Louis Feds,” a downcast Carey writes at the start of this letter. “Well, the season will be over and maybe the sooner the better.” An October 6 date appears at the top of the letter and coincides with Pittsburgh’s last game of the season. An interesting point about Carey: when he was young, his mother sewed pads into his uniform to protect his legs and hips while sliding. Carey went on to patent the sliding pants that are standard issue for every position player today.
Pages 3 and 4 of 6-page handwritten letter
Pages 3 and 4 of 6-page handwritten letter
As the letter continues, Carey’s tone softens as it turns to personal thoughts with his wife. “Honey, did you get my letters? I thought I wrote every day all except one I think. Maybe it took a couple of them longer to reach you…Oh hon, I wish you were here by my side every minute.” The former seminary student seems to be very much in love with his bride.
Final two pages of the letter -- Honus Wagner mentioned
Final two pages of the letter -- Honus Wagner mentioned
Almost from the day Max Carey arrived in Pittsburgh in 1910, Pirates star Honus Wagner took him under his wing. Wagner advised Carey to take extra care to keep his legs in shape, believing that speed was the tool with which Carey would make his mark. The pair played alongside each other for eight years from 1910-1917. “Went out to dinner with Honus and (pitcher Claude) Hendrix this evening at some swell people’s house.” Carey closes the letter lovingly, “Well, Darling you devoted hubby sends all his affectionate kisses of love to his little wife.” All in and all, the letter provides a nice snapshot into the life of Max Carey.
NL President & HoFer Warren Giles invites Max Carey to Cooperstown dinner
NL President & HoFer Warren Giles invites Max Carey to Cooperstown dinner
One of the perks of being National League president is interacting with former players. In this letter dated March 8, 1969 NL boss Warren Giles writes to Max Carey saying in part, “The Commissioner’s Office, the National and American Leagues are jointly entertaining all living members of the Hall of Fame at a dinner at the Otesaga Hotel, Cooperstown, New York…”. The letter is nicely presented on National League letterhead. Giles has neatly signed the bottom of this correspondence between two Hall of Famers.
Commissioner Kuhn confirms attendance of HoFer Max Carey at Baseball's centennial
Commissioner Kuhn confirms attendance of HoFer Max Carey at Baseball's centennial
Bowie Kuhn became commissioner of baseball in 1969 just in time for the Centennial celebration. In this letter to Hall of Fame outfielder Max Carey, Kuhn acknowledges Carey’s attendance to the event. Kuhn writes that he’s delighted Carey will attend and that the commissioner will reserve two tickets to the 1969 All Star game. Kuhn has signed the bottom of this letter between two members of baseball’s Hall of Fame.
