1892 Binghampton Bingos Team Cabinet Photo with Wee Willie Keeler (Pre-Rookie)

Sold For:

$5,400

Year:

1892

Auction:

2018 Spring

Lot #:

130

Category:

Pre-1900 Baseball Cards (1830-1899)

Exceedingly rare team cabinet photo of the 1892 Binghamton Bingos, members of the Eastern League, including Hall of Fame outfielder Wee Willie Keeler. Twelve team members are pictured posing together in a formal studio setting, with Keeler seated in the middle row, second from the right. The photographer's credit stamp, "McCarthy Binghamton, N. Y.," appears along the left border of the mount. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the earliest image of Keeler as a professional player. It is also the only example of this 1892 Binghamton team cabinet we have seen. Although no year is listed, Keeler played nearly the whole season with Binghamton in 1892, which was his third season of professional baseball, as opposed to just 15 games in 1893. Given that disparity with regard to his respective stints with the club, it seems almost certain that this team cabinet dates to 1892. Keeler batted a league-high .373 in 93 games for the Bingos in 1892 before his contract was sold to the New York Giants. Keeler, who was lefty, was a third baseman at the time and played that position for the Giants and then for Brooklyn in 1893. Unfortunately, his infield skills did not match his hitting ability, but in 1894, Ned Hanlon of the Baltimore Orioles moved him to the outfield and the rest, as they say, is history. Keeler, whose career spanned the years 1892 through 1910, was one of the game’s greatest hitters. He was also one of the smallest men ever to play in the Major Leagues. Standing only 5 feet 4 and fleet afoot, he was well suited to the “dead ball” era style of play. Keeler used the smallest bat in Major League history (30 inches, 29 ounces) and he often choked up half way. That bat control allowed him to practice his famous hitting theory of “hit em where they aint.” If the infielders were playing deep he would bunt, if they moved in, he would peck the ball over their heads. Keeler led the league in hits on three separate occasions and won consecutive batting titles in 1897 (.424) and 1898 (.385). During his five years with Ned Hanlon’s legendary Baltimore Orioles (1894-98), Keeler never once batted less than .371 nor failed to amass over 200 hits. Not surprisingly the Orioles won three pennants and two World Championships during that time. Despite a number of major rule changes made at the turn of the century that disadvantaged hitters, Keeler continued to post impressive numbers during the “modern era.” He finished his career in 1910 with a .341 lifetime average, a mark that ranks twelfth best all-time. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1939. The cabinet (6.5 x 4.25 inches), which offers outstanding clarity and contrast, displays light surface wear to the front and reverse of the mount. It appears that a small chip in the lower-left corner has been expertly repaired; otherwise the card is in Excellent condition overall, with the photo presenting closer to Near Mint. Reserve $1,000. Estimate (open).