Gorgeous card of Hall of Famer Hank O'Day, the only man in history to play, umpire and manage in the National League.  O'Day was an umpire in the first World Series in 1903, along with nine more Series during his 35-year career.  It was O'Day that made what is still probably the most famous "out" call in history - the one where Hall of Famer Johnny Evers produced the baseball and stepped on second base, forcing out Fred Merkel in that infamous 1908 game.  O'Day was also a serviceable pitcher in his younger years, compiling a 73-110 record over a 7-year career lasting from 1884 to 1890.  O'Day pitched for the great 1889 Giants team that featured such luminaries as Buck Ewing, Jim O'Rourke, John Montgomery Ward, Roger Connor, Tim eefe and Mickey Welch - one of the most famous 19th Century baseball teams.

The card boasts strong eye appeal with a crisp, well-defined image.  Corner and edge wear is visible but light, the primary flaw relating to a horizontal crease that traverses the card about 2/3 of the way down, on the reverse.  On the front, the crease appears as a very minor bend in the surface of the photographic paper, the damage clearly done to the cardboard backing and not the card itself.  Exceptional eye appeal on a desirable Hall of Famer.

NOTE: An astute collector pointed out to us that Orator Jim O'Rourke also was a player, umpire, and manager in the National League.  O'Rourke umpired a total of 30 games in 1893 and 1894.  As such, the information about O'Day being the only person to play, manage, and officiate in the National League is inaccurate.