Thomas P. "Oyster" Burns played for Brooklyn from 1888 through 1895, serving primarily as an outfielder, but spending some time at Shortstop and at Third Base, as well. In 1890, he led the National League with 13 home runs and 128 RBI for the Bridegrooms, playing in 119 games. Burns has five different cards in the N172 set. This issue depicts the Third Baseman as a member of the Chicago team, holding his hands above his head as he awaits an opportunity to catch a ball coming his way.

Centering is just ever so slightly west on the canvas, but the viewer's eye is instead drawn to the beauty of the image. Burns' dark uniform is prominent against the light background of the photography studio in which this image was taken. The fake painted background depicts the interior of a baseball stadium, as if the action being captured was actually taking place during a game. The text is bold and clearly legible. Slightly rounded bottom corners and an uneven right edge keep this card from grading even higher than it already has, but it is the image contrast that is most important here, despite this being the highest-graded example of this card in SGC's population report.