[Joe_G.]

Who, besides yourself, has ever suggested that Deacon's play was poor at time of his 1888 card being published (or any other time for that manner). When that photo was taken in April of 1888, he had finished a solid year batting well over league average (even over Detroit's league leading average). His Wins over Defensive and Offensive Replacement were both positive. Same would hold true for 1888. He was a solid contributer to the team even though he was the oldest player in baseball. His salary was likewise a healthy $3500, only behind Brouthers and Richardson at $4000.

Minor correction, but the spelling on his portrait is "McCreachery", not "McCreacherie". It has always been my belief that they simply took White's 9th pose, a portrait, and decided to tease him as looking more like a manager than a player. Many managers are shown in portrait.

I'm not as well versed on Irish slander but previously didn't find it unusual to assign a ficticious name that started with "Mc". It is the most common start to a last name in the Old Judge set. Just look at McAleer, McCarthy x2, McCauley, McClellan, McCormack, McCormick, McCullum, McDonald, McGarr, McGeachy, McGlone, McGuire, McGunnigle, McKean, McKinnon, McLaughlin, McPhee, McQuaid x2, McTammany, & McVey. Were they all slandered?

I do find the topic interesting however and would like to hear more.