Thorpe-Meyers photo . . . what year?

[Bob Lemke]

5988

Can anybody pin down the date of this photo from the Legendary auction (lot #990). I note a pencilled notation on back that says "ex-Giants catcher" in reference to Meyers, and a 1934 rubber-stamped date. Those U.S. shields and flag must be a one-year affectation, but when? The Hall of Fame uniform website doesn't show them.

[D. Bergin]

1918-1919?

Looks like a World War I tribute insignia to me.

[Bob Lemke]

with the Giants was 1915.

I also first thought of WWI patriotic connection; maybe this is a photo from some sort of exhibition or benefit game?

[Oldtix]

I think that you're on the right track, Bob. The key element is the hat logo...an American shield.

[D. Bergin]

with the Giants was 1915.

I also first thought of WWI patriotic connection; maybe this is a photo from some sort of exhibition or benefit game?


I would bet it's a benefit game for the war effort a little after Meyers career was over. The U.S. hadn't been involved with the conflict yet in 1915 and I doubt he would have shown up in a Giants uniform while playing for another team.

I think that leaves 1918 or early 1919.

Also, the notation on the back reads "ex Giants catcher Chief Meyers". Sometimes when a press photo is reprinted at a later date the photo editor would often just jot down the information from the tag of the older photo or from the notes on the negative on the back of the new print, rather then print up a whole new tag.

This would indicate he was no longer playing for the Giants I think.

[slidekellyslide]

I believe the flag was worn on the sleeve in 1918-19. I have an Omaha photo that I believe is from 1919 with a player wearing a similar flag on his sleeve.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b331/nudan92/Omaha%20Baseball/1920omaha.jpg

[Ladder7]

Sure looks like a minor league park. Exerpt from the Marlin TX Democrat; A highlight of the Spring of 1918 was an exhibition game with the U.S. Army Air Service aviators from Rich Field at Waco. After defeating the airmen 14-11 at Rimes Park, McGraw took to the air and was flown back to Waco for dinner with the commanding officers.

Not sure how Meyers fits in, but he was a close friend and roommate of Thorpe. Perhaps he was asst coaching, as he did take a managers job in CT the following season.

Later in the season, they played a USN team in Newport RI. But I don't believe this photo is that game. Great image.

LE, I have an 1918 M114 Felsch that shows the same flag patch.

[perezfan]

Could it possibly be from the Giants/White Sox World Tour of 1913-14? This was a patriotic event in which America wanted to "showcase" its National Game to the rest of the world (see link below...) This could conceivably explain those unusual Caps and American Flag sleeve patches.

http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/BBM/1914/bbm4i.pdf

[ksfarmboy]

Definitely from the World Tour of 1913-1914. Here's a Matty when they were in Kansas. Unfortunately I don't own the original.

[Bob Lemke]

I think you nailed it.