Is that Hank Aaron on third base??

[jason.1969]

I am always impressed with the great eyes and knowledge of N54, so I'm putting out a call for help!

As you may know, I enjoy collecting Hank Aaron magazine covers and have put together a web resource on the topic: https://jasoncards.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/the-hank-aaron-fans-guide-to-magazine-collecting/

Just today I stumbled on a fairly high resolution online image of a 1958 SI cover (https://jasoncards.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/cf5a2-march31958si001.jpg) that MAY in fact be Hank Aaron's first, a full 11 years ahead of his August 18, 1969 cover. However, better eyes than mine are needed to say for sure. What do you think?

183936

[Donscards]

I don't think so. Looks like number 24.

[jason.1969]

I don't think so. Looks like number 24.

Wow, great eyes if you can pick that out. The players who wore #24 on the Braves in 1957 (Bob Roselli) and 1958 (Phil Paine) were both white, and the fellow on third definitely looks black. One possibility is that he's a minor leaguer hoping to make the bigs...but I wonder if maybe the number is really #44. With my eyes, I didn't even realize there was a number! :-)

[brewing]

I can't see anything, but I do notice that the shadows can skew skin color.

[nolemmings]

It's not #24, as that's the number worn by the guy throwing from around home plate.

Very hard to say, but what is that guy doing on 3rd base? Are his arms folded or is his right hand wearing a glove? If the latter it's obviously not Aaron.

Looks like the coach is hitting fungos, which would most likely be to the outfielders, making Aaron unlikely again. The guy on third could be catching the balls being thrown in from the OF. There is nothing to suggest base-running drills or any other reason for that man to be standing there without a glove. I suppose if he's got a glove on his left hand it could be Aaron, although again you'd think he'd be in the outfield, and the person catching the incoming throws would be an infielder or at most a pitcher.

My two cents.

[Mountaineer1999]

This EBAY link blows it up nicely. The guys arm looks white, doesn't really look like Aaron either way.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SPORTS-ILLUSTRATED-MAGAZINE-MARCH-3-1958-SPRING-TRAINING-/251334592498?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a84b587f2

[JollyElm]

Hey, can you crop the photo and post a (much) larger image of the 'Aaron' part of the picture? Right now it's impossible to discern anything.

[JollyElm]

Never mind, did it…

183968

Looks like a white dude, possibly Eddie Mathews??

[AustinMike]

Looks like a white dude, possibly Eddie Mathews??

I agree. It's probably Eddie.

[stlcardsfan]

No clue, but the guy on the left field line appears to be levitating.