1917 Tigers Photo ID help- Cobb? Bush? Other?
 

Hi all!

Have been researching/debating with myself and a few others regarding this snapshot.

"D" dates to 1917 Detroit Tigers, Right handed, NOT necessarily a catcher. Upon first glance there are SOME features that resemble the one and only Ty Cobb, but there are others that look a lot more like Donie Bush. *Slumping posture nearly matches Bush's T206 card. Tried matching ears, but still nothing definitive, for me. Leaning towards it being Bush, but would like to hear from some others.

Thanks in advance for your time, opinions and input!

Bush to me.

How about Tubby Spencer? Body type fits, and is too large for Bush.

https://baseballhistorydaily.files.w...bbyspencer.jpg

Plus it looks like a catcher's mitt he's holding.

https://photos.imageevent.com/imover...arge/Tubby.jpg

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Spencer would be my guess too.

It appears to me he is wearing a catchers mitt in photograph.

Hi Deron! As a Cobb photo collector, I wish it was him, but I am a definite no vote.

Hi Kris! I hope you are doing well! I appreciate the vote!

Thanks for the input thus far! I am (personally) still torn on the facial comparison to Spencer over Donie Bush. The skeptic in me, says just because their is "catcher's mitt" style glove and standing by the warm-up plates, that (although a compelling argument) this creates a bias towards, "it must be a catcher". There are plenty of photos of Cobb with the same style of glove, not saying it IS Cobb, just discrediting the decisiveness of the [mitt = catcher] argument. If it was game play, it would absolutely be a completely different story.

I see the similarity of the noses between the Subject and Spencer, but the eyes, mouth, chin and ears move me towards Bush. I compiled headshots of Bush (both on the left, top and bottom) and Cobb (top, right) and Spencer (bottom, right) on to 1 photo for (hopefully) an easier comparison.

Thanks!

1917 Tigers Photo
 

I have several clear images of Bush and Spencer, including an almost identical 1916 pose of Spencer. Based not only on facial features but also on posture, physique and the hands, I am reasonably confident that your image is Tubby. Sorry, but I am unable to post my 1916 Spencer image. Dennis Goldstein

I just don't see the mystery player being the 5'6", 140 lb shortstop Donie Bush. That round face and double chin, along with fairly thick legs, even accounting for the baggy pants, do not belong to a diminutive middle infielder.

100% not Donie Bush.

Thanks for your input, gents! Sounds like a consensus is being formed! Definitely appreciate it!

Catcher Oscar Stanage?

My vote is Spencer. No way it's Cobb. Great picture of Cobb BTW holding the bat while using the bird