Joe DiMaggio. Josh Gibson. Lefty O’Doul. Satchel Paige. Ted Williams.
What a great photo of the Yankee Clipper during his young years as a member of the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League. DiMaggio played with the Seals from 1932 to 1935 before joining the American League New York Yankees and becoming a household name through out the nation.
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Josh Gibson of the Homestead Grays. I don’t find many photos of Gibson that I have not seen before however this was new to me and I was quite delighted to come across it.
On a related note, a movie called “Invisible Men” based on the Negro Leagues is in the works. Check out the Invisible Men official site HERE and while your at it, check out THIS post on SeamHeads.com which discusses the film. The movie really looks like it is going to be awesome and done well.
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1950. San Francisco Bay Area Baseball legends Joe DiMaggio and Lefty O’Doul show how it’s done in Japan at Tokyo’s Korokuen Stadium. The fact that these guys went to post-WWII Japan to spread the the game of Baseball is fascinating to me.
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Satchel Paige is consoled by a teammate during the 1948 World Series against the Boston Braves which was also Paige’s rookie season in the Major Leagues. After looking up how Paige did in the ’48 Series, I realized he only appeared in game 5 and only pitched 0.2 of an inning. The short appearance included a balk being called on him
I am curious as to why he did not appear in more games? I vaguely remember the ’48 series being discussed in his autobiography but nothing regarding Manager Lou Boudreau’s lack of use of Paige in the series. I am currently reading “Satchel” by Larry Tye, maybe these questions will be answered by the end of the book.
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A young Ted Williams in mid-swing during his time with the PCL San Diego Padres. Over the years this photo has been used in many Padres media guides, books, etc and is quite well known. I assume because it’s one of the only photos of The Splendid Splinter actually playing during his time in San Diego in 1936 and 1937.
I love this photo so much. It randomly shows up on eBay once in awhile, I think I am going to have to buy a print of it soon and frame it. I hate looking at this with the autograph and sticker in the corner.
Also reading Satchel. Been a fan of him as long as I can remember. Being only 29, most of the stories came from my dad who being a lifelong Indians fan said of Satchel, “the man deserved more conversation when it came to the game of baseball…shame more people didn’t know about his life and achievements.”
Loving the book so far. Anyhow, something about that image of him being consoled speaks deep. Really great find.
I am working on a website – http://www.theoriginal16.com – where I am summarizing each year that the Original 16 teams played. It is my understanding that pictured before 1964 are public domain. I have put the Satchel Paige picture on by 1948 site. I have put a link to your website in the picture. If this isn’t acceptable, please let me know and I will change.
Your site is informative.
Bill@theoriginal16.com