1908 Little Rock Travelers PC - Tris Speaker included?
 

I purchased the following postcard earlier this year with the expectation/ understanding that Tris Speaker was included in the suitcase. I have studied the faces and don't think that Speaker is shown, but would like to have my suspicions confirmed (actually, to have them quelled would be much better) on this great forum.

http://photos.imageevent.com/derekgr...0Travelers.jpg http://photos.imageevent.com/derekgr...s_CloseUp1.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/derekgr...s_CloseUp2.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/derekgr...s_CloseUp3.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/derekgr...s_CloseUp4.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/derekgr...s_CloseUp5.jpg

There are only about 5 guys who even remotely resemble Speaker (based on age, rudimentary facial recognition, etc.).

(1) Top row (middle)
(2) Top row (fourth from left)
(3) Middle row (first guy)
(4) Bottom row (first guy)
(5) Bottom row (middle)

Interestingly, 16 players are shown on the PC. baseball-reference.com shows only 23 players on the roster. Speaker was one of only seven guys on the roster who played over 100 games that season. He batted a whopping .350 and was the team leader in hits. Wouldn't it make sense that he would be part of the composite?

Let me know if I should enlarge any of the close-up photos if you think it will help. Thanks in advance!

If any of those guys I say bottom row, middle.

IMO bottom left

Great Find by the way!

Awesome rare PC, Derek! You always seem to pull some crazy stuff out of the hat! :)

Given that Speaker didn't play with Little Rock in 1907, he may not be on this card issued in 1908? I'm not seeing Speaker anywhere in my opinion....but hopefully someone will pick him out. :)

bottom row middle looks like him to me. (or I guess left in the cropped pic)

http://photos.imageevent.com/derekgr...s_CloseUp5.jpg

http://www.legendaryauctions.com/Ite...63150a_lg.jpeg

IMO the man holding the suitcase is Mike Finn, Mgr. 2 sources that have player portraits to compare against and/or use process of elimination are www.arkbaseball.com. I also suggest contacting the administrator of that website, Caleb Hardwick. He will be more than willing to assist you. Also on Amazon in the book Baseball in Little Rock by Terry Turner there is a photo of the 1901 team (Finn was the manager 01-04 and 07-09).

Derek:

Should have gone right to the source, Jeff P. is right. Also, the exact photo on the postcard appears in a 1909 issue of the Spalding/Reach Baseball Guide, I forget which one, and all of the players are identified.

I agree with Bicem. Bottom middle.

Here's a 1901 composite with Finn's first year as manager.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5...LittleRock.jpg

1908 Speaker
 

Great! Thanks all...I wanted to have this aired out on this forum as it had been suggested to me that Speaker was not pictured. I had my doubts too. Looks like I can sleep easy tonight!

I would love to see the Spalding photo if anyone has one.

The 1909 Reach baseball guide published the same image and included IDs. See here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/arkbas...71350/sizes/o/

Speaker is indeed bottom middle. Great find!

Thanks for the great detective work! I think the Reach Guide puts this issue completely to rest!

This PC will now be semi-permanently residing in my collection...unless my wife wants a new house :eek:

Let me know if she does. :)

Nice PC, Derek!!!

FWIW, I was sure the bottom row middle was Speaker too.

Cheers,
Blair