1901 Philadelphia Athletics Team Photo Player ID Help

[gonefishin]

Hi everyone. I'm awaiting the arrival of a couple of vintage photographs that I purchased, one of which I believe to be a team photograph of the 1901 Athletics. I state 1901 due to the majority of players wearing the 1901 logo on their uniform. However, there is one player wearing the 1902 logo style uniform.

Look closely and you can also the word Athletics on the team bag, forefront of the picture.

I'm requesting assistance from anyone that may be able to help me with player identification. I've got a few ideas by trying to do an individual photo match on line, but I'm not confident at all in positively identifying any player. Also, I had difficulty finding any 1901 team photos of the Athletics as most are 1902 and later.

Any thoughts or recommendations on the individual players, or the photograph, would be greatly appreciated.

[ccre]

I'll be interested in this as well. These boys look extremely young to be the Phila Athletics. Great photo!

[gonefishin]

Thanks Dave, believe it or not, we all looked young at one time! They look young even on the posed photos on early cards.

I'm going to give an opinion on one for sure. I think the bottom row, far left, sitting is Eddie Plank. This would have been his rookie year with the Athletics. It looks just like him, the Athletics logo is a match, I think its him.

Since the logo changed from 1901 to 1901, I wish I knew when the transition took place as one of the players shown is definitely wearing a uniform with the 02 logo.

[lumberjack]

This is a nice image, but I don't think this is the Philadelphia American League team. First off, where is everybody? And where are the obvious faces: Lajoie, Plank, Harry Davis, Bill Bernard? Minor league team, more likely a town team.

[sb1]

Unfortunately, that is not Eddie Plank, nor any of the Philadelphia Athletics...

[JustinD]

To me the bag says “Athletic” not Athletics. Perhaps an athletic club team using the logo and with a mixed bag of jerseys. Fairly common practice to do, even today.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Everyone is wearing a total mishmash of jerseys, caps, sweaters. One has a "C" instead of an "A". Different styles of clothing, different colored collars. This was some ragtag youth team to me.

[bigfanNY]

There are a number of high quality photos of the Athletics in the 1901 to 1905 period. This photo is not one of them. Connie Mack I think is one of the most recognizable faces in baseball. First thing you notice in many A's team photos is him, or in this case his absence.

[gonefishin]

Originally Posted by bigfanNY

There are a number of high quality photos of the Athletics in the 1901 to 1905 period. This photo is not one of them. Connie Mack I think is one of the most recognizable faces in baseball. First thing you notice in many A's team photos is him, or in this case his absence.

Thanks Jonathan and to everyone that replied. I'm in agreement with about everything said, however, I don't agree with being able to find a 1901 team photo of the Athletics showing them in the straight A uniform. I have been searching on-line everywhere and cannot find one. I did view the uniform section on the Hall of Fame site and it simply shows a drawing of the uniform, with description. There are numerous photos showing the 1902 uniform, but not the 1901. The HoF site shows the uniform with the A on the front left breast, and nothing on the sleeve and describes the Home as white and the Away as Grey.

If you have, or anyone has, a team photo of the 1901 team - please post it.

If it is simply a HS, college, or sponsored team - they sure are outfitted pretty well. Maybe they're trying to duplicate the Athletics team, but that doesn't explain why a member is wearing a White Sox or other team uniform.

I bought the photo because it interested me as I thought it was pretty cool, not to resell and try to make a fortune.

The majority have convinced me it's not the 1901 Athletics, and if later on down the road I discover who the team is I will certainly post my findings.

Once again, thanks to everyone.

[bigfanNY]

Photos of American Leauge teams from 1901 are scarce. Being the First year of the league they are very much in demand and images of Lajoie fom that year where he hit .422 for the A's are very desirable. But even a quick ebay search brings up a 1901 Athletic photo in the first year uniform. So scarce but available.

[lumberjack]

Marc Okkonen's "Baseball Uniforms of the 20th Century," has an artist drawing of the '01 uni. White cap, dark socks, white pull-over jersey with a big A (like this one) that comes to a point over the left side of the shirt. The more ornate letter A didn't come along until '02.

[RUKen]

Originally Posted by gonefishin

I don't agree with being able to find a 1901 team photo of the Athletics showing them in the straight A uniform. I have been searching on-line everywhere and cannot find one.

If you have, or anyone has, a team photo of the 1901 team - please post it.

Here is a newspaper clipping of a team photo of the 1901 Athletics, with the "straight A" logo on their uniform, from the Philadelphia Inquirer of May 6, 1901.