They adored him so much in Cleveland that they literally named the team after him, the Cleveland Naps, and kept that name until he was too old to keep hitting. Lajoie was just so friendly and fun ...

The arrival of Lajoie proved a shot in the arm. Nap played his first game at League ... he moved about the second sack with ease and grace that old-timers claim never has been duplicated.

Sockalexis died in December 1913. Lajoie was near the end of his career. His final game came Aug. 26, 1916. He played 21 years in the majors, including his stint in Cleveland from 1902-14 ...

LAJOIE, NAPOLEON "NAP" (5 Sept. 1875-7 Feb. 1959), BASEBALL player with Cleveland (1902-14), was born in Woonsocket, R.I., to John and Celina Guerton Lajoie. He worked in cotton mills and completed ...