ADDENDUM:  The black painting on the belt and cap of this statue have been repainted.   

Very rare circa 1912 statue featuring Hall of Famer Larry "Nap" Lajoie. We have seen a few other players from this artist - one of which was Joe Jackson - but this is the only one that we have handled of Lajoie, which we first came across years ago. Rectangular base measures 6x4" and stands 13" tall, there is some minor restoration to the bat and hands area and it is signed on the back by the artist, which appears to be DeMees. It is nothing short of amazing that even one of these survived over 100 years as it is such a fragile piece. Lajoie spent two decades as a player, during which time he also doubled as manager of the Cleveland franchise, then known as the Bronchos. Team names were less formalized during that era and when he began player/managing in 1905, his popularity led to the team adopting his own nickname, becoming the Cleveland Naps.