John Frill backstory

[Kevin]

As I dipped my toe back into the T206 waters this summer, I visited an old dealer I have worked with for many years. He has his own eBay store. I didn’t have my check list with me, but the number of Starr’s Shipke’s Unglaub’s were all there. Cards I knew I had. I stumbled upon John Frill. Now he was a name I was unfamiliar with. I see he was pitched playing for the Highlanders. I had never heard of him, so I did a quick baseball reference search and found his very modest career.

He was 39 years old when he passed away in 1918. Sort of sad. I really want to know more about him. A EPDG of his was up for bid last night. I almost bid on it. Now I sort of wish I did, but I digress.

Does anyone here know about John Frill? Any place I could look?

Talk soon...

[Luke]

I wrote an article about Frill a couple years ago. It's not super in-depth but you might enjoy it. I also found him a fascinating figure.

http://www.thatt206life.com/2017/07/...-the-t206-set/

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Funny you chose this year to bring up John Frill, as he was a casualty of the 1918 pandemic.

After baseball, he worked as a wine clerk at a saloon in Rhode Island.

[T206Collector]

There were 389 different players featured in the T206 set. Frill was the 16th one to die. A lot of sad stories -- some known and some unknown -- are contained in this set.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

There were 389 different players featured in the T206 set. Frill was the 16th one to die. A lot of sad stories -- some known and some unknown -- are contained in this set.

Hey Paul! We conversed over twitter a few weeks ago. Good to run into you again...

[Kevin]

So if I went on a John Frill back run, I'd have to really get into the nitty gritty with some difficult backs. Hmmm

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by BillyCox3

Funny you chose this year to bring up John Frill, as he was a casualty of the 1918 pandemic.

After baseball, he worked as a wine clerk at a saloon in Rhode Island.

I was looking at the 1918 date and was thinking pandemic. Thanks for posting...

[jcmtiger]

Originally Posted by BillyCox3

Funny you chose this year to bring up John Frill, as he was a casualty of the 1918 pandemic.

After baseball, he worked as a wine clerk at a saloon in Rhode Island.

Yes, when I read this thought the same thing. My wife’s grandmother died in the 1918 flu epidemic. I think there are many players that died in the 1918 epidemic.

[bocca001]

Here is another who died in the 1918 pandemic

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by bocca001

Here is another who died in the 1918 pandemic

Handsome card, as well. I’m at 170 right now (with hopefully 5 arriving today). He is on my short list for 2021 as well.

[Orioles1954]

Originally Posted by bocca001

Here is another who died in the 1918 pandemic

He is buried about 100 feet from my great grandfather. Every time I'm in San Jose I make it a point to visit.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Luke

I wrote an article about Frill a couple years ago. It's not super in-depth but you might enjoy it. I also found him a fascinating figure.

http://www.thatt206life.com/2017/07/...-the-t206-set/

Thank you so much, Luke. I've been on your site before. Thanks you for posting...

[jingram058]

From collectors.com This photo sold at an auction listed on that site some time ago. I cannot find another photo of him. This looks to be a Highlanders/Yankees uniform, does it not?

[Michael B]

Not to detract from the original subject, I thought I would share items of two victims of the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic.

Card signed by Martin Sheridan. He competed in the 1904 and 1908 Olympic Games and the 1906 Intercalated Games. He won 3 golds and a bronze in the Olympic games in field events - discus and long jump. He won 3 golds and two silvers in 1906 field events - discus, shot put, high jump, long jump. He died March 27, 1918. The NYPD medal for valor was named for him until 1973.

Sheridan, Martin (1906).jpg

Marc Larimer - graduated from the Naval Academy in 1912. Competed in fencing at the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm. He was an officer aboard the USS Cummings during WWI. After returning from Europe he was assigned to Cuba and died aboard the USS Montgomery in Guantanamo Bay February 6, 1919.
Two RPPC's sent by him from the 1912 Olympics to his mother and probably brother.
He the 2nd from the left in the group photo. Fourth from the left is Nedo Nadi. One of the greatest Olympic fencers, he is the only person to win gold in all three disciplines in a single Olympics - foil épée and sabre.

Larimer-1.jpg
larimer-2.jpg

[brianp-beme]

I recognized Sheridan's name...here is his T218 card.

Brian (card not mine)

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by jingram058

From collectors.com This photo sold at an auction listed on that site some time ago. I cannot find another photo of him. This looks to be a Highlanders/Yankees uniform, does it not?

And so it does. It’s the pose they used for his card. Wow, good find!

[Kevin]

Fabulous stuff, gentlemen