Cleveland Naps Real Photo Postcard - Help w/ Player IDs

[judsonhamlin]

I think that the right handed player with his back to the camera is most likely the pitcher or catcher and the player to the right would be the firstbaseman The Cleveland player behind the ump would be the shortstop or pitcher if the catcher is in the foreground with the second baseman off camera to the viewer's right.
The game action looks like a run down, perhaps. As far as the runner, it looks (and this is a guess) that he is a St.Louis Brown based on the cap.
It is also an early season game given the bare trees in the background. They opened the 1906 season against the Browns, so that may help.
If that is the pitcher behind the ump, how about Rhoades?

[milkit1]

The one in the background sure looks like Cy Young to me. It appears the catcher is running down the runner to second. I think the player on the right with his glove on his left hand is probably george Stovall though its just too hard to tell from that angle. the years can only be between 1905-1909. Young joined Cleveland in 1909. he seemed to be pudgier by that time but that player standing in the background could almost certainly be the pitcher in that position and that player has a strong resemblance to Young.

[nolemmings]

From Okkonen's work, it would appear to me to be from 1909. I agree it is likely a St. Louis Brown in the rundown.

It appears to be a rundown between first and second. Is the player on the right lefthanded? seems so (is the left hand in a glove or clenched?). The problem is that Cleveland had no lefty first basemen in 1909, and had really no left-handed pitchers either (the top 7 were RH and the most appearances by a southpaw was 7 for the season). That would leave a RF coming in on a rather prolonged rundown, since it wouldn't be a catcher, 2b or SS--Wilbur Good?

The player chasing the runner does not look like a catcher to me--wrong build and no gear, meaning it's a pitcher or 1b. I agree the second sacker is off camera, and the SS may be as well. Given how far he is from the play, the man behind the umpire is either a pitcher or 3b, IMO. Seems he may be too far up on the grass for 3B.

[milkit1]

Hi Todd, the pitcher and firstbasemen appear to be right handed to me. they have their gloves on their left hand. The mroe I look at it the more Im convinced that is Cy Young and George Stovall

[nolemmings]

Hi Sean,

I don't think the guy with the ball chasing the runner is a catcher--where are the chest protector straps or the shin guards (and wouldn't his cap be off or on backwards?)? That leaves a 1B or a pitcher.

I thought the man on the right showed a bare left hand, but perhaps you're right, that's a glove strap on his wrist--although the knuckles should not be showing like that?

[milkit1]

he does look rather stocky though. perhaps he ripped off whatever protection he was wearing. Its impossible to tell though. The one person though I really am getting convinced of is Cy Young

[Rob D.]

If this postcard is from the series I think it is, it likely dates from the mid teens. I have 21, all of which originally entered the hobby from a single source. The PCs originally were thought to be produced by a Cleveland newspaper. I will try to dig mine out later and find the one or two that help pinpoint the years. If the OP could post a scan of the back, that might help.

Of course, the origin of this one could be totally different from mine, but I was struck right away by the similar "look." Another possiblity is that images from earlier seasons were produced at a later date, but none of mine indicate that was the case.

[daves_resale_shop]

Very Cool PC... are the guys standing on the left field berm police or fans???