Need some opinions on a photo
 

First off let me say Thanks in advance for any replies.

I picked this photo up today at the Robert Morris show and would like your opinion on it. It has a International News Photo stamp on the back.

So what I need your opinions on are, who is the guy sliding into home plate and might the umpire be someone we know?

I showed this picture to a few other board members at the show today and everyone who looked at it gave me the same player name for the guy sliding.

I'm just curious what the rest of you might think.

Thanks Again

Jantz

On first blush I thought the ump might be Billy Evans but upon a bit of googling I learned that he retired in 1927 and the Yanks didn't wear numbers until 1929. No. 17 was worn by a raft of guys in the 30's; the slider looks like it could be Gehrig but am not prepared to defend that supposition. 100% sure it's not Joe Jackson.

David

Thanks for the reply and the addition information about the photo. I'm still getting settled in from the drive from Pittsburgh. I was going to do some digging later tonight about the #17 and the possible ID of the ump.

Thanks again

Jantz

David,
Are you sure it isn't Jackson? I think the ears say yes:D

Jantz,
I can't tell though at first blush even Joe D comes to mind a little.
I think his body frame/size appears a little small for Gehrig.

Mark

Took about two seconds for me to say, "That's Gehrig". Am hardly the voice of authority, however. :)

Yanks who wore number 17 from 1929-1940
1929 Fred Heimach
1930 - 31 Ed Wells
1932 Hank Johnson & Danny MacFayden
1933 - 34 Danny MacFayden
1935 - 36 Jumbo Brown
1937 no one
1938 - 39 Tommy Henrich
1939 Jake Powell
1940 Jake Powell

It's interesting that form 1929 -1938 all the people who wore num 17 were pitchers.
Not sure if this info helps with IDing the slider. It is poss for the 4th place hitter to be sliding into home with the 9th place hitter on deck, so it doesn't rule out being a pitcher.

Not sure.

I just did notice the catcher reminds me a little of the top half of Cochrane's head.

Mark

Thank you for posting the information that you found.

Another member at the show mentioned the fact that the umpire resembles Jocko Conlan.

I took a long look at the catcher also, especially the prominent ears. It made me think of Cochrane too.

Thanks

Jantz

Jantz,
You're welcome.
I guess you could try and find if Gehrig scored a run against the tigers, with Cochrane catching, during the 1929-1939 years with Conlon umpiring at home plate.
It would be cool if you could have a pic with 3 Hofers.
Good Luck,
Mark

It looks like Gehrig to me.

BTW, the Yankees didn't wear an "NY" on the chest until 1935.

A high res scan (600 dpi) of the slider's head might help if the focus was sharp enough. Absent that - all you can do is speculate.

Here are a few enlargements. The best I can do. Hope they help.

Jantz