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Brian H (misunderestimated)So this card is about 11 years after Spalding called it quits as a player....Its an "owner card" -- which is very rare historically. The only other owner cards I can even think of are of Van Der Ahe (Old Judge etc.) and Comiskey (CJs, Sporting News etc.) and a collector produced set with Bill Veeck from the 70's. Even "King George" (Steinbrenner) doesn't have a card !
Salding is an interesting HOFer. As I recall, Spalding was primarily inducted as an Executive Pioneer although his short career as a Pitcher was HOF caliber (like Koufax or Dizzy Dean):
http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/spaldal01.shtml
Fom Baseball Hall of Merit :
Al Spalding - 1906 - SP/1B
Rockford 1868-70, Boston (NA) 1871-75; Chicago (NL) 1876-77
Cap: Boston Red Stockings (NA)
Stats NL Cy Young Award winner for 1876. The star pitcher of the National Association. Ace starter for five consecutive pennant winners (1872-76). Best year was 1872, where he was 38-8, with a 1.98 ERA (league 3.72), starting every game and throwing 405 innings for the champion Red Stockings. In 1875 he was 55-5 with a 1.52 ERA (league 2.36) in 575 IP, as Boston won their fourth consecutive pennant. Also an outstanding hitter for a pitcher, career .313/.323/.382 (league .286/.299/.354). Finished his career with a 253-65 record and a 142 ERA+ in 2891 IP. Led his league in wins six straight years (1871-76).
See: http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/primer/hom_discussion/23411/