Cleveland Naps second baseman Napoleon Lajoie appeared in as many advertisements as any of his contemporaries during his career, including one for a “sparkling laxative.” This is a 1906 advertisement for Heptol Splits “The only perfect Laxative.”
“Gentlemen: I am constantly worried, while traveling over the circuit, by drinking impure water or eating something that disagrees with me, because in either event I am liable to be laid up for several days and deprive my team of my service. I have found that the best thing to overcome the ill effects of either, is to take, before breakfast, a bottle of Heptol Splits. I have taken it innumerable times and its results have always been most satisfactory. It is especially good during the early training season, and I consider it the only perfect laxative water on the market.”
The image of the cowboy on the bronco used for Heptol Splits’ logo was created by artist Charles Marion Russell.
Lajoie’s endorsement does not appear to have done much good for the brand which appears to have disappeared from drug store shelves within a couple of years.
A version of the advertisement appeared in the inaugural, 1906 edition of Napoleon Lajoie’s Official Base Ball Guide— an attempt to compete with the Spalding and Reach Guides.
The 1906 Lajoie Guide
The Cleveland Press said upon the publication of the 1906 guide:
“”Lajoie’s Guide is especially interesting because it is the first work of this kind that has ever been attempted by a ball player while still in active service on the diamond…Lajoie is the champion batsman of the world and a great authority on the national game. His book should find a ready sale.”
When Lajoie’s Guide ceased publication after the 1908 edition The Press said:
“After two years as editor of the American League Publishing Company, getting out the Lajoie Guide, he declares the others are too strong for competition, and only farm life for him in the winter months from now on.”
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