I've shared these two cardinal snaps before but they are both stamped April 20th 1949.
However the style of birds on the bat was changed to the more "upright" cardinals in 1949. The design shown in these two shots is 1948 or prior. So either these were developed late, or they still had the old style in spring training.
I have seen Kodachrome prints from the early 40s, I have no doubt that some exist of pro ball players from that time period, just have to find them.
