(Note: In an 1896 picture of Holy Cross' baseball team, all look away from the camera except Louis Sockalexis. Hair parted in middle and arms folded across chest, he looks older than his twenty years. In 26 games that year, he scored 38 runs, batted .444, and Holy Cross lost once - to Brown University.)

The Real Frank Merriwell

Chiseled Louis Sockalexis, heroic Penobscot brave

Ended games with timely hit, run, throw, or brilliant fielding save.

Fans without number pealed his name - a triumphal vocal bell;

His college coach, as Burt L. Standish, called him Frank Merriwell.

Nothing he could not do to snatch victory from defeat's paw;

Here was perfection in the flesh - a player without a flaw.

Until Sockalexis gripped bottle - then crazy hour came;

He drunked right out of Holy Cross - likewise with Notre Dame.

When Spiders signed him in '97, he surpassed craftsmanship;

.400 at 21 when booze kissed him full on each lip.

Finished .338 in 66 games, then .222 in 21;

Then .273 in 7 contests - Show days set their sun.

His burned out comet plummeted through highest minor league ball,

Through Class D dreams to semi-pro teams, then D.T.'s took it all.

Louis died of T B in '13 on a Maine reservation;

Frayed clippings stashed beneath his shirt praised greatest in the nation.

But lest you think untimely drink writes 'finis' to this story,

His name attends many a game, plus symbol of his glory.

For when Nap Lajoie left, they memorialized this man.

Haven't you wondered why Cleveland's mascot is an indian?