It Doesn't Get Any Better

[GaryPassamonte]

Who was late and missed the photo shoot?

[mr2686]

The late one would be Cobb, although some say he was there but pissed off at Landis so he wouldn't pose for this photo.

[GaryPassamonte]

Right on, Mike.

[Bored5000]

Is that picture from 1938? In John Skipper's excellent book on Grover Cleveland Alexander, Skipper wrote that both HoF officials and baseball officials were openly concerned that GCA would show up drunk and embarrass both himself and the game. GCA does look a bit disheveled in the photo, but his HoF induction day was supposedly one of the few days in the last 20 years of his life that he was not drunk.

In his speech, Alexander (destitute at the time) said it was a great honor to be inducted but he couldn't eat a plaque.

[brob28]

Eddie, I'm fairly certain its 1939.

An another note, I walways have a hard time remembering Lajoie & Sisler - 3rd and 2nd from the right, back row.

[Bored5000]

Originally Posted by brob28

Eddie, I'm fairly certain its 1939.

Thanks for the clarification. I had thought it was 1938 because I didn't realize Alexander ever returned to the HoF following his induction. One other tidbit contained in the Skipper book on Alexander is that HoF officials, knowing how destitute Alexander was, offered the former pitcher a job at the HoF as a greeter/ambassador. Alexander initially accepted the job offer, but then left town without ever working a day or giving any kind of notice that he was not going to take the job after all.

[Mark]

While I've seen this great photo many times, I never before took a close look--and I really like the way the great Honus Wagner tied his tie. I like the fact that he thought he should wear a tie as well as the fact that he didn't have a clue about how to tie it.