Napoleon Lajoie, collector of 3,242 hits and 1937 Hall of Fame inductee, was, as you might imagine, very good at baseball (or "base ball" in the grammar of Mr. Lajoie's day). After all, rare is the player who has a team named after him.

Mr. Lajoie was also a fashion-forward sort. For instance, in 1905 Lajoie was laid up after he acquired blood poisoning from the dye in his stockings. Thereupon, baseball undertook the widespread adoption of all-white socks.

Anyhow, roughly two years after that Mr. Lajoie spent time with a dog, quite possibly his dog ...

If you wanted, then you could persuade me the above-left figure is not a dog but rather a wee, hairy man. In any event, the incredibly incredible A.G. Spalding Collection at the New York Public Library tells us that pictured above is indeed Lajoie and a dog, possibly his own.

Also worth noting: That same year, 1907, George Stovall whacked Lajoie over the head with a chair -- doubtless inspiring the lawless professional wrestlers of our nation's future -- because he was displeased with his spot in the batting order.

If nothing else, quality time with a well-mannered hound is far preferable to being beaten about the coconut by the likes of George Stovall, that unprincipled rogue.

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