Most Interesting Old Judge Players

[z28jd]

Originally Posted by jcmtiger

Don't have any stories, but here are my 1987 Detroit Players.

Joe

They all look like Jack Morris, which one is he?

[cyseymour]

I might vote for Dude Esterbrook.

[Joe_G.]

Charlie was the second oldest of five brothers who would become known as Michigan’s first family of baseball. All of them, Fred, Charlie, George, Joe, and John, would enjoy the game of baseball; collectively playing for many minor and major league teams. I will merely cover brothers Charlie and John here, together with Charlie’s son Foster (named after Charlie’s good friend Elmer Foster who can also be found in the Old Judge set).

Charlie’s major league career would span 14 years (1884 to 1897), including a championship in Detroit in 1887 and four with Boston (1891-93 & 1897). Most of his career was spent sharing catching duties with Charlie Bennett in both Detroit and Boston. Charlie was held in high regard as a dependable catcher with a strong arm and satisfactory at bat.

Charlie’s little brother John would likewise have a long baseball career with 5 years in the NL and 2 in the AL spanning from 1898 to 1908. The 1908 season was as a player/manager with the Cincinnati Reds. He would also manage the 1915 Brooklyn Tip-Tops of the Federal League. Among John’s highlights, his 1903 season with the New York Highlanders (Yankees inaugural season), in which he would hit the franchise’s first homerun and help turn the first triple play (caught liner, tagged 1st before runner could return, and then rifled to SS to tag out player caught off second). He would lead the league in fielding percentage (1st base) three times and in 1907 led the league in triples with 16. John would remain active in baseball until 1952.

Charlie’s son, Foster “Babe” Ganzel, would be one of three second generation Ganzel’s to play ball. Babe’s stint in the majors would be short but included a late game in 1927 in which he fielded his position in center field and watched another Babe hit his historic 60th homerun over his head. Babe’s major league debut would be 43 years after Charlie’s which remains a major League record for father and son. Unfortunately, Charlie didn’t live to see his son play, having died in 1914 at the age of 51. Babe would live until 1978 when he passed at the age of 76.

More details on the Ganzel family can be found here: http://www.kpl.gov/local-history/bio...-brothers.aspx


Charlie Ganzel => N172 & N173 w/ Detroit and N300 w/ Boston

John Ganzel => 1903 Carl Horner photo w/ NY Highlanders, T206 w/ Rochester (Eastern League), and C46 w/ Rochester (International League) Note: I’ve been slowly accumulating a back run of John’s T206s.

Foster (Babe) Ganzel => 1928 Star Player Candy w/ Washington Senators and 1933 Worch Cigar w/ Minneapolis Millers (American Association)

[oldjudge]

Here is a biography that I found on line, from SABR, of Charlie Ferguson. Ferguson was one of the stars of the Natinal League when he fell victim to typhoid fever and died just prior to the 1888 season. To honor him, Goodwin & Co continued to issue his Old Judge cards through 1889. The picture in the article is not Ferguson, but is Jim Tyng.

http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/727aabbe

[Joe_G.]

Well, history has made George perhaps a little more interesting than should be. Since the OJ book was published, more details have come to light that suggest Treadway wasn't negro (in part or wholly) and that his career ran a somewhat normal course (although he did face racist taunts and slurs).

http://baseballhistorydaily.com/2012...orge-treadway/

I really have enjoyed this thread, so many more characters could be discussed.

[CW]

Great stuff, Joe, Joe, and Jay!

[Matthew H]

Fascinating stuff Joe, it's incredible how much you know about early Detroit Baseball, and their families!


Nice job to all, I'm blown away by how knowledgeable the Old Judge collectors/researchers here are.