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Larry Gardner was born and raised in Vermont and made his home state proud. After completing high school Gardner enrolled at the University of Vermont on a campus that sits less than 50 miles from his Enosburg Falls birthplace.

When the school opened Centennial Field in 1906 it was with freshman Gardner in the lineup. The stadium still serves as home to the Catamounts today. The New England Champion and All-East Selection cut his college career short when he played for the Red Sox between his junior and senior year, thereby forfeiting his amateur status. When he debuted with the Sox in 1908 he became the first man from the university to play in the American League.

A 17-year MLB stay that ensued featured four World Series championships, three in Boston and one with Cleveland. Gardner’s career ended in 1924 with 1,931 hits. The total stood as the most by a Vermont-born big league player until Carlton Fisk surpassed it in 1988. Among Vermont natives, only Fisk played more seasons as a major leaguer.

After leaving the playing field, Gardner returned to his alma mater. He started as Athletic Director in 1928 and became head baseball coach the following year. He stayed on the dugout until 1951 and in the AD’s office until ’52.

When the University of Vermont opened its athletics Hall of Fame in 1969, Gardner was in the inaugural class. In 2000 the three-time Boston World Series champ was named to the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame.

Shown here is a handwritten response from Gardner when asked about third baseman. The former hot corner man is asked about “moderns…Red Rolfe, George Kell, Billy Cox, and Brooks Robinson. How good a fielder was Home Run Baker? Was Jimmy Collins as good as the legends claim?”

Gardner writes, “Above mentioned men top notch. Baker good fielder. Jimmy Collins legends correct I would say.” He signs the note at the bottom.

Gardner himself was one of the greats at his position. His 48.3 career WAR exceeds that of Hall of Fame third basemen Pie Traynor, George Kell, Freddie Lindstrom.

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Larry Gardner played on the winning side in four World Series. The deciding moment of his first in 1912 came in Game 8. It was Gardner who became the unlikely hero with the first walk-off in Fall Classic history.

The October matchup pitted the New York Giants against Gardner’s Red Sox. With a Game 2 tie and three wins apiece, the decider came in October 16th’s Game 8. After 9 innings the contest was tied. The 10th became one of the most famous frames in Fall Classic history.

It happened because of a defensive gaffe by Fred Snodgrass. A versatile defender, Snodgrass played every position but pitcher though the majority of his games were in centerfield. It is there that a singular play defined his baseball legacy.

In the bottom of the 10th inning with his Giants clinging to a 2-1 lead, Snodgrass dropped a routine fly ball off the bat of Clyde Engel for a two-base error. Harry Hooper then scorched a long drive that Snodgrass snagged with a spectacular catch in deep center.

The next batter Steve Yerkes walked before Tris Speaker singled to score Engel and send Yerkes to third. The game was now tied.

Giants pitcher Christy Mathewson issued an intentional pass to Duffy Lewis to load the bases and bring up third baseman Gardner. With a sacrifice fly to right, Gardner became the hero and sealed Snodgrass’s fate as the goat.

Gardner’s ability to perform under pressure marked his career and contributed to two more Boston titles in 1915 and 1916. Gardner’s decade with the Red Sox earned him a spot in the team’s Hall of Fame in 2000.

The collection includes a letter penned and signed by World Series goat Fred Snodgrass. Dated November 5, 1955, the letter references the Dodgers’ Fall Classic victory— their only championship representing Brooklyn.

Snodgrass writes, “Was happy the ‘Bums’ won this year at last. I had lunch this spring with them at Vero Beach. 400 players in uniform was quite a sight.”

After retiring in 1916, Snodgrass returned to California, where he became a successful businessman, City Councilman, and Mayor of Oxnard. He enjoyed renewed fame with the 1963 release of Larry Ritter’s book The Glory of Their Times. Fred Snodgrass passed away in Ventura, California, in 1974 at age 86.

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In 1915, Larry Gardner played a crucial role for the Boston Red Sox in the World Series. His Red Sox faced Grover Cleveland Alexander and the Philadelphia Phillies. Fans anticipated a fierce competition between the two teams.

In Game 1, Gardner made a significant impact. Against Alexander he recorded one of his four Series hits. His performance set the tone for Boston’s offense. Gardner’s ability to connect with the ball kept the pressure on the Phillies’ ace.

The Red Sox showcased their skill throughout the Series. With strong pitching and solid hitting, they dominated in a 4-games-to-1 triumph. Gardner contributed consistently, helping his team gain the upper hand. Each game brought excitement and tension as both teams battled for supremacy.

Boston’s victory in the 1915 World Series marked a significant achievement for Gardner. This championship earned him the second of his four World Series titles. His dedication and talent shone brightly during this crucial time. Fans celebrated not just the team’s success, but also Gardner’s performance.

As the Series concluded, the Red Sox secured their place in baseball history. Gardner’s contributions did not go unnoticed, as he solidified his legacy with this win. The 1915 Series remains a cherished memory for Red Sox fans and a testament to Gardner’s remarkable abilities.

Shown here is a payroll check from the Cubs during Alexander’s historic 1920 Triple Crown-winning season. Dated May 31, 1920, the check was drawn the same day Alec notched his 219th career victory. The 10-inning complete-game masterpiece ran Alexander’s season record to 11-2. It was his 254th complete game of his career.

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Larry Gardner homered in consecutive games of the 1916 Series, including a three-run inside-the-park homer in Game 4. The two home runs matched his regular season total.

Gardner’s first dinger came in Game 3 off of three-time World Series champ Jack Coombs. Now with Brooklyn, the right-hander entered the game with a 2.49 career World Series ERA to go along with a 4-0 record. Gardner took him deep in the 7th inning.

The next night the task seemed even taller. Starting for the Dodgers was Rube Marquard, twirler of a 1.58 ERA in the regular season. In the 2nd inning Gardner stepped to the plate with Dick Hoblitzell on first and Duffy Lewis on second.

On Marquard’s 3-ball-2-strike pitch, Gardner hit it to the deepest part of Ebbets Field in left-center. Before it could be retrieved, all three men circled the bases to give the Red Sox a lead they never relinquished.

In the collection is a letter from Rube Marquard to Larry Ritter, author of the 1966’s iconic The Glory of Their Times. The book relies on interviews from aging stars from the turn of the century and the ensuing decade. Marquard has a chapter all to himself.

A three-time 20-game winner and five-time National League champion, Marquard made quite an impression over the course of his 18-year career.

His induction came five years after Ritter’s book was published. Many credit Glory for the election of Marquard more than 35 years after he pitched his last game.

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In 1920, Larry Gardner played a crucial role for the Cleveland Indians. He competed in a team-leading 154 games. With a Cleveland-most 597 at bats, Gardner also led the team with 118 runs batted in. His contributions significantly helped the Indians secure the pennant.

The Indians faced the Brooklyn Robins in the World Series and beat them 5-games-to-2. The triumph gave Gardner his four World Series victory after three in Boston.

Shown here is an index card inscribed and signed by Gardner’s Indians teammate Elmer Smith. Baseball historians recall Smith hitting the first grand slam in World Series history.

Here he pens, “The player that was really my idol was Ty Cobb and of course Babe Ruth was to. The highlight of my career was hitting a home run with the bases loaded in 1920 World Series.”

Smith signs the card beneath the inscription.

In 1,923 regular-season games, Larry Gardner hit 27 home runs. In 25 World Series contests he hit three round trippers en route to four Fall Classic triumphs.