more Baseball Forensics - Pete Hill

[bmarlowe1]

In 2003 it is possible that no one on the board was aware of things like ear matching. Now, quite a few board memebrs are aware of it, and they can do it, at least for clear photos, very well. I think that is has helped the hobby screen out a lot of bogus photos in recent years.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by bmarlowe1

In 2003 it is possible that no one on the board was aware of things like ear matching. Now, quite a few board memebrs are aware of it, and they can do it, at least for clear photos, very well. I think that is has helped the hobby screen out a lot of bogus photos in recent years.

Be careful now guys, someone will hang out a shingle soon and start calling himself an "ear expert" and start authenticating ears on photos.
Before you know it several companies will spring up, former government investigators will proclaim their expertise in ear identification, and major companies will open up new divisions just to authenticate players by their ears .
Someone might even open a company up called Vincent Van Gogh Ear Authentics to try and capitalize on the name like the long ago and almost forgotten J. Dimaggio Co.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by bmarlowe1

In 2003 it is possible that no one on the board was aware of things like ear matching. Now, quite a few board memebrs are aware of it, and they can do it, at least for clear photos, very well. I think that is has helped the hobby screen out a lot of bogus photos in recent years.

I think you're right. Several months ago I used ear characteristics to rule out what I thought might be an early picture of Al Spalding. Most everything else looked very good, but the ears just didn't come close. I'll see if I can find that pic, and post it here.

[thecatspajamas]

It seems odd to think about overlooking someone's ears, but almost every time one of these ID questions comes up on a photo, I spend all this time looking at the rest of the face and come to my own conclusion only to scroll down and see somebody mention the ears. Doh! Totally eluded me!

I have no idea why, but somehow the same thing happens over and over to me. Just gotta retrain myself I guess

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

It seems odd to think about overlooking someone's ears, but almost every time one of these ID questions comes up on a photo, I spend all this time looking at the rest of the face and come to my own conclusion only to scroll down and see somebody mention the ears. Doh! Totally eluded me!

I have no idea why, but somehow the same thing happens over and over to me. Just gotta retrain myself I guess

How about this guy?

[jerseygary]

Man, those ears are close! But, I think we have to now move to the advanced cheekbone comparison on him.

[sando69]

the knowses may be the solution to this puzzle...

[Scott Garner]

Close, but I would vote that the photo on the right is not Shoeless Joe.

His hairline along the temple on the right side is different, Joe's nose looks larger and his lips look a little fuller IMHO.