Slightly Off Topic: Veteran Bush League Catcher, James Chapin, 1948

[Vintagecatcher]

It stuck me as a possibilty after viewing this photo of Clyde McCullough that perhaps he was the catcher depicted in the painting, "Veteran Bush League Catcher" by James Chapin, 1948.

Clyde played in the New York State League and the artist, James Chapin, who also happened to be Harry Chapin's grandfather also lived in New York.

Here are scans of the painting and the photo. Anyone else see the likeness of Clyde McCullough with that of the bush league catcher?


Patrick

[teetwoohsix]

I'm no expert,but I think you nailed it!!!They do look almost exactly the same.........do you own the painting as well?

[Vintagecatcher]

Hi Clayton,

No I don't own this wonderful painting, but I would love to own it! In fact, I'd be thrilled just to see it in person. It's most likely still in a private collection.

I have only seen a picture of it in one of the baseball art books.

Patrick

[Kawika]

The Veteran Catcher painting was shown in the "Diamonds are Forever" exhibit which toured the US about 20 years ago. I saw it at the Oakland Museum. Chapin's piece was one of the standouts. The accompanying coffee table book (pub. 1989) stated that it is in the private collection of one Dale Bullough, a Dallas developer.
Patrick: I think you may be onto something with McCollough and the painting. There's alot of resemblance I'm thinking. The ears are wrong but no matter; we're not comparing two photos.

[Fred]

It can't be him, look at the chest protector in the picture and the photo - definitely different.

I think you got the right subject. Pretty close resembalance between the picture and the photo.

[tedzan]

I recognized the face in your photo as Clyde McCollough who was a catcher for Pittsburgh (1948-1952).
The pix of Clyde McCollough on his 1949 Bowman card provides a vey good resemblance to your photo.
I will post his 1949 Bowman card here when I'm at home, very soon..

Here is his 1949 card, his age is 32. In 1940 (age 23) he played for the Buffalo Bisons; and perhaps, a
younger Clyde was the subject of the artist's drawing.





TED Z