Quote:
Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb
Al:
Unfortunately, after e-mailing a scan of the photo to our contact, I have never heard anything back again. I didn't want to be a bother to anyone so I have just left it alone.
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This post has always intrigued me. Due to this I made it a point to search for another copy of Phil’s photo. I purchased this one from an eBay seller yesterday. The seller is located in Yadkinville NC which is 197 miles from Anderson SC. The seller described the photo in the follow manner.
“Neat item here....one I purchased probably 15-20 years ago and just found in my basement during some work were doing on our house foundation...I've forgotten a few details, but I know that this is an 8x10 color photo of a young team which had Jim Rice, future major league HOFer...hand dated 1970 at two places on the front....I believe this was his high school team (the A on the shirt for Anderson High School, his home town in South Carolina) but am not sure if it was high school or American Legion....I believe the 3rd player on the left on the top row is Rice, but because the names aren't on the back I'm not 100% sure that he's the one; I just know for sure that Rice was on the squad....photo has is missing lower right corner of the borders...there is another 1970 on the back and photo has a few generally minor surface imperfections....”
Although it is in lesser condition than the one Phil posted I was thrilled to find another and add it to my collection. I love mysteries and thought it would be interesting to pick up the search where Phil left off two years ago. I thought the best place to start would be a review of Rice’s HOF induction speech as players usually thank past coaches. I figure I might get lucky and find that he mentioned a coach from his days playing in Anderson SC. I hit pay dirt. In his induction speech he not only mentioned such a coach he mentioned
The coach of the American Legion team allegedly pictured in the photograph.
Rice said, “Olin Saylors. I played American Legion ball for Post 14. He came by my house every day and picked me up. I didn't really want to play ball, but Olin was very [determined] to make me play baseball for American Legion Post 14”.
I then did a google search and found a newspaper article from September 2013. Not only is Mr. Saylor still very much with us he continues to work at his own business.
http://www.independentmail.com/news/...our-oil-tires/ This morning I located his business phone number and called it. Mr. Saylor answered the phone and indulged me as I told him the story of this photo and this discussion on Net54. I had hoped to talk to him about his time coaching Rice, however, he is obviously a very busy man. He was brief and very much to the point. He doesn't have an email address so provided me with his mailing address and told me to send him a copy of the photo and he would confirm or deny if it is actually Jim Rice. The conversation lasted all of three or four minutes but hopefully my efforts will be fruitful. I will let you all know when I hear back from him.