Posted By:
Jay Miller1-Tom: You are right. I see that one of the Beckley-Pittsburgh poses was issued in 1888 and 1889. Since he came to Pittsburgh part way through the 1888 season that makes sense. My humble apologies.
2-Leon: I think you are dead wrong. I would suggest that you crack open a dictionary once in a while and you might see that rookie means novice and has nothing to do with major leagues. You don't think that in the 1880s that a first year player in the American Association was any less of a rookie than a first year player in the National League? They were both novices, or rookies, at that level. Also, as to Four Base Hits, if what you refer to is the number of EX+ or better HOFers there is Ward (NrMT), Welch (EX+), and Clarkson (MT with tiny, and I mean tiny, corner clips). The other Kelly is in very nice shape but has a pencil mark at the bottom. Given today's grading system that might grade higher with a qualifier.