1908 Cubs ??

[smitti8]

I picked up a lot of early photographs at an estate sale and found this image tucked in an envelope marked "spring training". I believe I see Lundgren, Sheckard, Zimmerman, Tinker, and Evers.

Or am I just being a jackass ???

I've really learned a lot from this community over the years and really value your opinions here!

THX, JB

[MVSNYC]

You may be on to something, although tough to pin down year, if it's not indicated on reverse...here's an amazing 1908 WS Program (not mine) in REA, which could help identify some of the guys (great head shots in the program).

https://bid.robertedwardauctions.com...e?itemid=47709

[smitti8]

Thanks for sharing! I've been going crazy trying to find other images from the era to compare against. The envelope had a few other photos in it with close up images that appear to have been taken on the same day or trip. This one looks like Mordecai and Orval in the center of the image to me..

[Bpm0014]

Definitely Mordecai in the center holding the hat.

[RUKen]

I believe it's Jimmy Slagle in front of Brown in that photo, and Carl Lundgren on the left with Bob Wicker next to him. That would date the photo 1904-1906.

[smitti8]

WOW ! Thank you all so much here ! I was focused on 1908 but struggling to connect some of my images to players from that years team. I always thought Lundgren was on the far left too but that baby face didn't look 28 to me. Certainly 24-26 seems more likely. Gives me a new direction to go in and I really appreciate all of the help here. Here's my favorite. I think Brown is wearing his ball cap with his nice suit !!

[RUKen]

Getting back to the photo with seven players, I believe that Buttons Briggs is in the middle of the back row. So we have:

Back row: Del Howard, Buttons Briggs, Doc Casey
Front row: Carl Lundgren, Bob Wicker, Jimmy Slagle, Mordecai Brown

Brown and Briggs joined the team for the 1904 season, and Casey and Briggs were traded away in December, 1905. The inclusion of Howard was puzzling, but then I found this, in the February 6, 1904, edition of Sporting Life (page 4, column 2): Selee has signed a kid named Dell (sic) Howard, from a little Illinois town. Bob Wicker recommended him, and says that for a beginner Howard is a wonder. He is an outfielder, and is touted as the goods. According to Jim Hart, the lad will be given a fair chance, and may make the team as a utility outfielder.

Voila! Frank Selee was the manager of the Cubs in 1904. Howard tried out with the team during spring training that year, but ended up playing in Omaha in 1904 and Pittsburg in 1905.