Both Strunk and Jackson were with the Athletics throughout Spring Training in 1909. From the notes in the 4/3/1909 Sporting Life: "The Athletics outfield is very much in doubt. Mack has Oldring and Hartsel as veterans and Heitmuller, Strunk and Jackson, all of whom are hitting the ball hard and showing lots of speed in the garden." The same issue stated that Mack planned to cut his roster down to 18 by June 1, but had nearly twice as many players at the time.
A bit puzzling is the fact that 1909 was Ira Thomas' first year with the team, so he would not be wearing his own 1908 left-over uniform (Tigers) to match Strunk's. If they gave him duds from on hand, one wonders why they would not have done the same for the guy in the middle, who likely was wearing his minor league uniform and sweater from the prior year. The A's were getting new uniforms for their new stadium in 1909, including the pillbox hats. Maybe they were given different new caps in the Spring--Strunk's especially looks pretty bright white --although that again begs the question as to why the guy in the middle was not outfitted as well. Unless that guy is not on the A's at all but is an opponent just there for a pic.
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If we are to have another contest in the near future of our national existence, I predict that the dividing line will not be Mason and Dixon's but between patriotism and intelligence on the one side, and superstition, ambition and ignorance on the other. - Ulysses S. Grant, military commander, 18th US President.
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