Old Judge card : William "Dummy" Hoy (1862-1961)

[Chuck9788]

In Hoy's time, the word "dumb" was used to describe someone who could not speak, rather than someone who was stupid; but since the ability to speak was often connected to one's intelligence, the epithets "dumb" and "dummy" became interchangeable with stupidity. Hoy himself often corrected individuals who addressed him as William, and referred to himself as Dummy. Said to have been able to speak with a voice that resembled a squeak, he was actually one of the most intelligent players of his time.

At the age of 99 and just two months before his death in Cincinnati following a stroke, the Reds brought him back to Crosley Field, built on the site of his former home field, to throw out the first ball before Game 3 of the 1961 World Series.

I believe this card is available here at 19th Century Cards & ALL Baseball Postcards- B/S/T

[Casey2296]

Great card. The story goes that Hoy was the reason "signs" were adopted in baseball. Not sure if it's true but it makes great folklore.