Mystery of this cup of coffee in the majors....

[Brian Van Horn]

I know I'm stretching this a bit, but let's face it, we all know that a short stay in the majors is known as a cup of coffee. This one has photographic proof (maybe). I like the following card because it pictures Bob Shawkey. The interesting thing-or things-is the gentleman in the background having a cup of coffee (maybe water, given the water barrell next to him) and apparently holding a sign. I don't believe it is a permanent sign, but who am I to say?

I'd love to know who this anonymous person is who is upstaging Shawkey and what the sign has to say. Serious or other answers welcome.

[Leon]

That's neat....I love stuff like that....I remember getting this just because I liked the background....

[canjond]

Not quite pre-war but...

This one has a good story. When I was younger, I used to work autograph appearances for a show promoter (best job in the world for a 15 year old). One time, I was working with Warren Spahn. He was signing multiples of the photo below. After about 50 or so photos, he looked at me and said if there was ever one autograph he could have, it would be of that guy [referring to the guy on the bench to his right (or the left side of the photo)] drinking that drink.

All these years later, I still remember him saying this every time I see the photo...

[Brian Campf]

Deleted

[philliesphan]

Jon:

I'll bite -- who is the guy in the photo with Spahn and Sain?

[sbfinley]

His name was Rain.

[canjond]

Marc - I have no idea. I doubt Spahn knew either. My take is that Spahn had seen and signed this image so many times, it was just a joke/observation.

[thekingofclout]

standing behind Honus Wagner in this snapshot that originates from the Wagner Estate? I highly doubt it, but couldn't resist the fun of posting it.

wagnersnapshot1910s.jpg

BTW...Take a look at the size of Wagner's hand!

[Ladder7]

Brian, I was unfamiliar with that coffee term, thanks.

I always enjoyed the background of this card. Especially the water cooler as well as the DC 'Bobby'.

[canjond]

Is that guy taking a leak?

[slidekellyslide]

I wonder how many of those old glass water coolers got destroyed by foul balls every season?

[brianp-beme]

In that 1905 A's team shot posted earlier by Brian it appears to be a girl/woman wearing a hat, and not a guy, that is holding the ball in the background. If so, now the picture is that much cooler.

Brian

[canjond]

I believe Coach's Corner sold the autograph ball she obtained that day for $221 a few months back. It actually came with that picture as provenance.

[bmarlowe1]

Here is my favorite Deadball Era water cooler photo: