I'm almost POSITIVE this card features Shoeless Joe...

[Peter_Spaeth]

Jax hit .408 in 1911. If this is a 1912 issue, and the pic was Jax, wouldn't he likely have been identified as other middle photos of stars were identified?

[sportscardtheory]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Jax hit .408 in 1911. If this is a 1912 issue, and the pic was Jax, wouldn't he likely have been identified as other middle photos of stars were identified?

The card wasn't about him though, it was about Lord getting his man.

[botn]

Here is link to a an enormous high resolution scan of the Cleveland player.

www.botn.com/images/LordCatches.jpg

[botn]

The Cleveland Public Library's Microfilm Department has been kind enough to save me a trip. They have provided me with coverage from all 11 games in which the White Sox played in Cleveland. I am reading the articles in chronological order. The headlines for the 2nd game they played (printed in the July 6, 1911 paper) reads "Yes, Joe Jackson Was Surely Out At 3rd Base", the image in the newspaper is at a later point in the slide but it made headlines. Here is a link to a larger version of the scan. www.botn.com/images/CPD050611.jpg

[calvindog]

Jeepers, Greg, that's good detective work.

[Jacklitsch]

WOW!!

Vindication.

[Matt]

well done Greg!

[whitehse]

I am actually amazed that this information was available!! Great detective work!

[HercDriver]

Too bad his foot isn't wrapped...or is it?

Take Care,
Geno

[T206DK]

Originally Posted by botn

Here is link to a an enormous high resolution scan of the Cleveland player.

www.botn.com/images/LordCatches.jpg

this scan allows me to see a greater difference now in the nose of one of the Jackson face pics and the sliding player. The noses look very different to me now that I see this blow up. also the left side of the face doesn't seem to match Jackson features. Once again though, the player is probably cringing or gritting his teeth so his face is contorted.

[botn]

I also contacted the staff at Blackbestsy.com and here below is the reply I got from them this morning.

Hi Greg,

Thanks for your interest in Joe and for your comments about the card.

We showed the photo to our boss and Official Historian, Mike Nola and
he said there is no doubt in his mind, the photo is that of Joe
Jackson sliding into third. The hair style, the ears, the laugh
wrinkle (crease) on the left side of his face, the build....all give
it away.....it's Joe Jackson...end of debate!!! Mr Nola took the
photo into Photoshop and enhanced it as much as possible, he has no
doubts....it's Joe Jackson. If we were to dig into our archives, we
could probably tell you with some certainty the day the photo was
taken, but right now, we don't have that kind of time to research this
issue further.

Please do let us know if we can assist further in this matter.


I really enjoyed reading the play by play from 1911. That in itself made this entire process worthwhile. I really do not pay any attention to the game today so it was really nice being able to step back in time and get a see how some of the less prominent names in the game played such an important role in the games.

Still reading the articles and so far no other references have been made to any plays at 3rd involving Lord tagging out a runner.

[Abravefan11]

Greg - Great research.

I'm sure those that want and think this is Joe will think your findings are the smoking gun.

Others will probably say it's a very similar picture but not the actual picture and it doesn't give enough detail to say the two are the same play from the same day.

[bmarlowe1]

Though the top leg sock looks dark, it may be worthwhile to look at some of the other Cleveland papers for that day. Usually the photographers from various newspapers would line up side-by-side in foul territory and snap the same scene from slightly different angles within a fraction of a second of eachother.