Milwaukee-born Lafayette Napoleon (Lave) Cross played major league baseball as a third baseman from 1887 to 1907. Cross played most of his 21-year career with Philadelphia-based teams in four different leagues. Known as one of the sport's top all-around players in the years surrounding the turn of the 20th century, when he retired he ranked fifth in major league history in hits (2,644) and runs batted in (1,371), ninth in doubles (411) and total bases (3,466), and third in games played (2,275) and at bats (9,064).

 

One of three brothers to play in the major leagues, his older brother Amos Cross was a major league catcher from 1885 to 1887, and his younger brother Frank Cross played one game as a right fielder for the 1901 Cleveland Blues.

 

After baseball, Cross was employed as a machinist in Toledo, and died of a heart attack at age 61 while walking to work.