Harry Hooper, Hall of Fame outfielder for the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox (standing, far right), with the 1907 St. Mary’s College team. The team, often called the best pre-World War I college ballclub, also included pitcher Harry Krause (center, second from left), and catchers Charlie Enwright (center, second from right), and Ed Burns center, middle)–The San Francisco Chronicle referred to the 5′ 10′ Krause and the 5′ 6″ burns as “the midget battery.”
Coach Hal Chase is in the middle row, far left.
After the team’s final game The San Francisco Call said:
“The Phoenix baseball team of St. Mary’s, satisfied that it has conquered the world, has closed its schedule for the season.”
How good were they?
“Perhaps no California team has ever had a more brilliant career than has the 1907 phoenix. Pitted 27 times against only first class teams, professional and amateurs, it has escaped from the fray without once having to bow to a foe. Moreover, but 39 runs have been scored against the Phoenix all season, while the Phoenix players have scored 137. No team made more than four runs on them, and this occurred but three times. They have had eight shutouts, eight one run games, seven two run victories (and) one three run contest.”
Hooper, left, with Red Sox teammate George “Duffy” Lewis after the 1915 World Series–the two were also teammates at St. Mary’s in 1906.
Baseball History Daily 