Is this 'Sunny' Jim Bottomley

[Archive]

Posted By: Dan Bretta

I've had this photo for a few years or so now, but up until today I had basically had it tucked away without ever looking closely at it. Anyone think this is 'Sunny' Jim?




Compare to this photo I found on the internet:

[Archive]

Posted By: leon

If it's not him he has some of the same characteristics. It looks like the word "St.Louis" is on the youngster's uniform? If it is "St.Louis" on the jersey and Bottomley was signed as a free agent by them in 1920, at the age of twenty, then maybe it could be. Branch Rickey was the manager and he had a pretty keen eye for talent.....sure worth investigating some more....good luck with it.....

[Archive]

Posted By: Jim

I say no.

Look at the ears. The fella up top has ears that protrude at a more outward angle on top. The second photo shows the ears just as big but much closer to the head.

[Archive]

Posted By: Frank Wakefield

I think not. Is there some reason you thought it was other than the image?

[Archive]

Posted By: Dan Bretta

Frank, no other reason than I was looking through photos of 1920s era St Louis players and Bottomley resembled the player in my photo more than any other I saw. I don't necessarily think it is him, I was just soliciting opinions here and hoping that if it were not him that someone may know who it is.

[Archive]

Posted By: George Dreher

I have a feeling that is Jim Bottomley from his rookie year. If you could find a St. Louis team photo from 1922, or photos of him as a youth.

[Archive]

Posted By: Frank Wakefield

I don't think that is Bottomley. Cheek bones and shape of face around the mouth don't look the same. He doesn't look very sunny.

One aspect that I'd not first considered is that he's sitting on the porch of a residence in a road uniform. I'd think he'd be in a hotel or visiting park with that uniform, not at a residence. Might make a residence photo in a home uniform. Lots of players would board in a home near the ball park in those days.