"L is for LajoieWhom Clevelanders love Napolean himself with glue in his glove."Such is how the letter "L" is represented in the 1949 poem Line-Up For Yesterday paying homage to one of the greatest second basemen the game has ever seen. The Rhode Island native broke in with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1896 and crossed town to the upstart Athletics in 1901. But contract disputes regarding the reserve clause and the newly-formed American League resulted in a trade to the Cleveland Bronchos which is where Lajoie made his greatest mark playing 13 of his 21 seasons and cementing his reputation as one of the greatest to ever play the game.It was famed baseball photographer Charles M. Conlon that took the classic photo of Nap Lajoie in 1909 that we see represented here by famed baseball artist Arthur K. Miller. Measuring 14" x 7" before framing the acrylic on masonite work was commissioned in 2006 and is a brilliant representation of the timeless image of Lajoie holding his bat gazing off into the distance. Conlon"s photo is likely the most recognizable image of "The Frenchman " having been reproduced countless times with the pose notably featured on Nap"s T3 Turkey Red cabinet card - one of the most coveted in the set.Maine artist Arthur K Miller is one of the best known baseball artists his work having been featured at the National Baseball Hall of Fame for years. It was in the early 1990s that Miller began painting portraits of ballplayers who thrived before the development of color photography and whose palette has evolved beyond baseball to include other well-known individuals celebrities and historical figures.Set against a clear blue sky Lajoie"s imposing figure dominates the image the intensity of his glare captured as well by the painter as it was by the photographer when the original image was taken. Standing upon an expanse of lush infield grass the detail in the foreground is captivating from the blades of grass under Lajoie"s feet to the shine on his shoes. Few contemporary artists are more adept at effectively capturing the detail emotion and intensity exhibited in classic sports photography.An original work of art framed for hanging and signed by the artist "Nap Lajoie 1904" was painted in 2006 and presented by the George Krevsky Gallery of San Francisco. A one-of-a-kind piece and an outstanding representation of contemporary sports art.