Christy Mathewson and who?

[GKreindler]

Hey guys,

I had a question for you deadballers about this photo:



Does anyone have any idea who the player on the extreme left is? I know that Matty is in the center, with Hooks Wiltse behind him, resting his hands on his knees. To the left of Christy is Dummy Taylor. And then all the way on the left is...I don't know.

This is definitely the '06 Giants team (as per the jersey), and the shot was taken at the Polo Grounds. Since the other three players are pitchers, I imagine he is one as well. And in looking through the roster, I could only come up with a few players who's faces I wasn't familiar with: Henry Mathewson (Christy's brother) and Cecil Ferguson. But, I'm not entirely sure that he's one of those two.

I definitely want to do a painting of this eventually, and it does need some cropping, but if I can't figure out who that particular player is, chances are he's gone. If I can, then I'll extend it a little bit so we see his entire body. Right.

So, can anyone shed some light?

Here's a better shot of the man:



Thanks, all!

Graig

[brickyardkennedy]

If it's one of the two, I'd say Henry (on right). At least, it doesn't look like Ferguson.

[barrysloate]

Could it be George Browne?

I'm looking at other pictures and it's probably not.

[brickyardkennedy]

George Browne:

[barrysloate]

Thanks Bob. Doesn't look like him. I checked both my 1906 and 1907 Spalding Guides without finding a match.

[powderfinger]

His stats say he was out of the majors for 1906 season (with Jersey City, I believe), but at least one bio I've read says that after his days with the Phillies he went to the Giants "again" where he finished his career. That was much later than the 1906 season, but the reference to a second stay in New York might mean the first was during 1906 (try-out? Spring Training?) The resemblence is uncanny.

[Jacklitsch]

Leon Ames?


McGann?

[GKreindler]

I'm pretty sure it's not Ames or McGann, and out of those two I mentioned before, I thought it could be Henry Mathewson.

But, Ray's mention of Eddie Grant is a very interesting one. In terms of a likeness, I think he's right - it's pretty spot on. I seem to be having trouble tracking down a consistent career line though. In whatever information I'm finding online, they're a lot of mentions of his stint in the eastern league that year, as well as his play with the Phils in '07. That, of course, doesn't mean that those are the absolute facts.

The pictured player is a right-hander, and Eddie was indeed that. And I guess it means that those pictured aren't just the Giants pitchers?

I'll see if I can dig up some spring training info for the '06 team...

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by GKreindler

I'm pretty sure it's not Ames or McGann, and out of those two I mentioned before, I thought it could be Henry Mathewson.

But, Ray's mention of Eddie Grant is a very interesting one. In terms of a likeness, I think he's right - it's pretty spot on. I seem to be having trouble tracking down a consistent career line though. In whatever information I'm finding online, they're a lot of mentions of his stint in the eastern league that year, as well as his play with the Phils in '07. That, of course, doesn't mean that those are the absolute facts.

The pictured player is a right-hander, and Eddie was indeed that. And I guess it means that those pictured aren't just the Giants pitchers?

I'll see if I can dig up some spring training info for the '06 team...

Definately NOT Leon "Red" Ames

[Jacklitsch]

Matty's brother.

[powderfinger]

This looks much more like the guy in the photo than the first shot posted of Mathewson's brother. Mystery solved.

[GKreindler]

Wow! Mystery solved, indeed!! Thanks so much for all of your help, guys.