1909 Boston Red Sox Spring Training in Hot Springs Team Photograph Including Michael "Nuf Ced" McGreevy

Sold For:

$5,520

Year:

1909

Auction:

2024 Fall

Lot #:

2500

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

This rare cabinet photo captures the 1909 Boston Red Sox posing together during spring training in Hot Springs, Arkansas. All the players are pictured in uniform (with a few wearing their team sweater) as they pose on the field. Eight gentlemen are dressed in street clothes. The equipment shown includes early gloves and bats. Included among the fourteen players pictured are Eddie Cicotte, Amby McConnell, Harry Niles, Harry Lord, Bill Carrigan, and Fred Burchell (With the help of baseball historian and facial recognition expert Mark Fimoff we have been able to identify these players.) Also featured in this image, standing front and center, is legendary Boston saloon owner and Red Sox super fan Michael T. McGreevy. Perhaps no fan in baseball history is more famous than Boston's Mike "Nuf Ced" McGreevy. The leader of Boston's legendary "Royal Rooters" (an organized Red Sox fan club) at the turn of the century, he was also the proprietor of the 3rd Base Tavern, a popular sports bar that quickly evolved into a shrine to the Boston Red Sox. It was there that he earned his famous nickname by ending every baseball related argument brought to his arbitration with the final words "Nuf Ced." It is interesting to note that each year the most fanatical Rooters often accompanied the Red Sox to spring training (as seen here in this image) and important road games. The black ink notation along the top of the photo reads "Hot Springs '09 - JHM." The second notation along the base of the mount reads "March 2, 1909 Hot Springs Nuf-Ceds Diamond." It is particularly interesting to note that this image captures McGreevy presenting Red Sox player Amby McConnell with a diamond ring. In 1908 McGreevy promised this award to the Red Sox player with the most stolen bases that season, McConnell led with 31. This is the first example of this particular 1909 Boston Red Sox team cabinet we have ever seen. The photo (7-1/8 x 5-3/4 inches), which offers exceptional clarity, has light surface scratches throughout and a faint ink notation on the lower left quadrant. In Good condition overall. The mount (10 x 7 inches) has the upper left corner missing and heavy black ink marks on the side borders. The piece has scrapbook paper affixed to the reverse. Despite the flaws, the central image area is free of any significant defects and the piece would greatly benefit from professional restoration. Even in its present condition it remains a stunning display piece and one that would be a welcome addition to any advanced Red Sox or baseball photograph collection. Opening Bid $300.