[Archive]

Posted By: MW

Barry,

The facial similarities between the player on the CDV and David Birdsall strongly suggest they are the same person. Bernard Hannegan had a rounder face with different eyes and different hair. The additional documentation from two historical sources (see links below) identifying Dave Birdsall as the "Old Man" makes the case indisputable, imo.

Source 1 -- "When Johnny Came Sliding Home: The Post-Civil War Baseball Boom, 1865-1870" by William J. Ryczek

Source 2 -- "The Minor League Milwaukee Brewers, 1859-1952" by Brian A. Podoll