But what are they doing? And who are the two smaller gentlemen who seem to be the only ones working?
Pat Moran died in 1924; the latest the picture can have been taken. He managed Cincinnati from 1919 through '23.
Moon Gibson was a Pirate catcher from 1905 through 1918, and manager from 1920 through '22.
Dode Paskert played for Cincinnati in 1921. He had no ML managing experience, and I can’t determine if he was ever a ML coach.
Hank O’Day umpired on and off from 1903 until 1927. In 1912 he managed Cincinnati to a 75-78 mark. He was the NL umpire at the first World Series, between Boston and Pittsburgh..
At the moment, 1920-22 looks like the best bet. It appears to be some sort of commemorative occasion. It can’t have anything to do with the series, since Cincinnati is heavily represented and Boston not at all, except, perhaps, by the other Suits.
Best guess .. on October 2, 1920, the last triple-header in ML history was played at Forbes between the Pirates (and Manager Gibson) and the Reds (Manager Moran). This may be some sort of ceremony marking the occasion. The Reds won two of three, thereby eliminating the Bucs from a slice of Series money by dropping them to fourth in the NL standings. The flowers appear reminiscent of a funeral.
Dode Paskert played in none of those games. Is presence in the photo in this scenario is inexplicable, unless the picture was taken the following spring, when he had returned (very briefly) to the Reds.
Hank O’Day umpired all three contests.
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