Stan Coveleski was born Stanislaus Kowalewski in the Polish mining community of Shamokin, Pennsylvania, about an hour north of Harrisburg. Like most kids of his day, he started his career in the mines when he was just 12 years old, working 12 hour shifts. He was the youngest of five boys in his family. His oldest brother Jacob lost his life during the Spanish-American War, otherwise he probably would have joined his brothers in their pursuit of a baseball career.
Brothers Frank and John played some minor league ball, and Harry made three different MLB rosters, winning 81 games in his career. Stan would prove to be the best ballplayer of the bunch. While hauling timber for the mines, he would take breaks to throw rocks at birds and cans. At one point, the local school teacher saw Coveleski throwing at tin cans set up at a distance of 50 feet and offered to let him pitch for the local semi-pro squad.
He made his big league debut in 1912, for the Philadelphia Athletics and over the course of a fourteen year career Coveleski pitched for the A’s, Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators and New York Yankees. His high water mark in the big leagues was 1920, when he went 24-14, leading the league in strikeouts and leading the Indians to the AL pennant. In the World Series, Coveleski shone like few others ever have, winning games One, Four and Seven. Each game was a complete game 5-hitter, and Game Seven was a shutout. As he gave up just one earned run in each of the other games, his World Series E.R.A. was a sparkling 0.67.
In 1969, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in recognition of a career record of 215-142, a .602 winning percentage, 38 shutouts and a career E.R.A. of 2.89.
Presented here is Stan Coveleski’s personal travel trunk from the period of his big league career. The 21” by 36” by 24” steamer trunk is structurally sound with normal wear and tear from use. Coveleski’s monogram “SC” and hometown “Shamokin, Pa.” are painted on both ends. The trunk includes original removable interior compartments. Accompanying documentation details how the trunk was acquired at an estate auction conducted by Stan’s widow Frances Coveleski.