Rambling observations on books, history, movies, transit, obsolete technology, baseball, and anything else that crosses my mind.
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
1897 New York Giants -- May 17, 2017
1897 Spalding Baseball Guide
The 1897 New York Giants finished in third place in the National League, with a record of 83 and 48. Their manager was Bill Joyce. I don't see pitcher Amos Rusie in this photo.
When was this photograph taken? Souders (Hollie) played for a very rural southern Iowa team, before Joyce traveled in the winter of 1897 to Iowa to sign Souders. Though Souders is in this photograph and is mentioned in The New York Times as pitching in spring training games, no record of him playing for the Giants exists. Could it be he was a member of the team, but did not see game action? It is a bit like Moonlight Graham. He never got close to a major league team again, though he was signed a month later, in May of 1897, by the Buffalo Bisons and had a terrific season there, and an even better season in 1898 for the Montreal Royals.
I have no proof but most team photos seem to have been taken early in the season. That is interesting about Souders. Perhaps the team signed him but held him back, as they later did with Mel Ott. Or it could be a Moonlight Graham situation.
Hi - just came across this post/photo on your blog. Do you have an original source for this photo? Dave Zearfoss is my cousin and I have been collecting photos and articles of his but had not seen this team photo before. thanks!
When was this photograph taken? Souders (Hollie) played for a very rural southern Iowa team, before Joyce traveled in the winter of 1897 to Iowa to sign Souders. Though Souders is in this photograph and is mentioned in The New York Times as pitching in spring training games, no record of him playing for the Giants exists. Could it be he was a member of the team, but did not see game action? It is a bit like Moonlight Graham. He never got close to a major league team again, though he was signed a month later, in May of 1897, by the Buffalo Bisons and had a terrific season there, and an even better season in 1898 for the Montreal Royals.
ReplyDeleteI have no proof but most team photos seem to have been taken early in the season. That is interesting about Souders. Perhaps the team signed him but held him back, as they later did with Mel Ott. Or it could be a Moonlight Graham situation.
ReplyDeleteHi - just came across this post/photo on your blog. Do you have an original source for this photo? Dave Zearfoss is my cousin and I have been collecting photos and articles of his but had not seen this team photo before. thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Using Technology. The photo is from the 1897 Spalding Baseball Guide, which is available on google books.
ReplyDelete