Is this the strangest picture of a Hall of Famer?

[jimonym]

Came across this in an old annual. Anyone have a weirder one?

[timzcardz]

I understand that's the way Ted Williams saw the baseball at times.

[profholt82]

What book is that picture from?

[AndyG09]

I think I saw that very pushball signed by Matty in a Coaches' Corner auction.

Best,

Andy

[joeadcock]

Cool photo

Frank

[shaunsteig]

came across this via a Google search for "pushball training":
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive...DB405B868CF1D3
insightful description of their training activities, or lack thereof compared to modern standards.

[bijoem]

McGraw, who was looking to introduce Ping Pong into the training for the Giants to improve players' hand-eye coordination was quite disappointed and could be heard shouting....

"Who brought this here?!?!? I ordered ping pong balls, not King Kong's balls"

(couldn't resist, reminded me of an old joke I heard as a kid..... great photo!)

[jimonym]

Originally Posted by profholt82

What book is that picture from?

Fox's Baseball: How to Play the Game for 1909.

[ethicsprof]

great pic, jamie

thanks for sharing.

best,
barry

[drc]

I agree that it is a curious photo

[celoknob]

Writing about the NY Giants spring training in Marlin Springs, TX, this is written by Sam Crane of the New York Evening Journal on Feb 27, 1908:

"All the training paraphernalia, such as medicine balls, a new home plate, bases, balls, uniforms and the big pushball came yesterday from New York, and a variety was added to the regular routine. The pushball, a new institution to the young players, was the source of much amusement and excellent practice. The embryo stars of the diamond ran the big leather sphere from one end of the grounds to the other, playing “follow the leader” in leaping onto and over the ball as it rolled over the field."

The rest of the article continues talking about the pushball but it becomes horribly racist and I don't want to post that, although it certainly documents the very nasty bigotry of the time.

I didn't scour the NY papers for this blurb, I just remembered it from the book "The Unforgettable Season" by Fleming.

[martyogelvie]

Originally Posted by bijoem

McGraw, who was looking to introduce Ping Pong into the training for the Giants to improve players' hand-eye coordination was quite disappointed and could be heard shouting....

"Who brought this here?!?!? I ordered ping pong balls, not King Kong's balls"

(couldn't resist, reminded me of an old joke I heard as a kid..... great photo!)

thanks for that LAUGH!!!