Max Scoops Carey and George Scoops Carey

[ahumes13]

So, just to make sure I've got this straight...

The Scoops Carey that appears on a T206 card played in the late 1800's and early 1900's is George Scoops Carey, originally from Pittsburgh. The Scoops Carey that appears on a Cracker Jack card (and many others) is Max Scoops Carey, who played in the early 1900's. He just happened to play for Pittsburgh...and his middle name is George. Not confusing at all!

[brianp-beme]

I think you just scored a major scoop.

Brian (always looking to take advantage of a word)

[Kidnapped18]

Great catch! Never knew there where two players named Scoops Carey...I always thought the T206 Carey was the same as the 1914 CJ HOF Carey.

[ahumes13]

:):D:)

I think you just scored a major scoop.

Brian (always looking to take advantage of a word)

[cracker_jack]

George Scoops Carey (T206) also grew up and died in 1916 in East Liverpool, Ohio, about 40 miles from Pittsburgh.

[h2oya311]

When I first started my HOF “rookie” collection, I made this mistake too. Very, very different players indeed!

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

You didn't mention my favorite bit of Max Carey weirdness which is that his real name as Maximillian Canarius which sounds like Latin for huge freaking song bird!

[ahumes13]

I'd assumed the T206 Carey and Max Carey were different individuals, but became thoroughly confused for a minute while looking them up and learning of all of the similar biographical info. Scott, funny you mentioned music (and Max's real name is great btw) because as I was searching I came across a Wiki page about a saxophonist from the 30's and 40's who was named George Carry, who went by the nickname...Scoops. I would venture to say that his nickname came about as a play on Max's nickname as he was certainly the more famous of the baseball "Scoop" Careys, but perhaps one of his bandmates or collaborators had been in Memphis when George Scoops Carey played there and recalled his nickname before bestowing it on Mr. Carry?

Oh the places The Monster (with a side of global pandemic self-isolation) will take you...