Framed display featuring Class A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, the c.1945-47 Utica Blue Sox of the Eastern League. Significantly, Future Hall of Famer, Richie Ashburn, is pictured second from the left during either 1945 or 1947, his only two seasons of minor league ball before joining the big club. Several members of this team would later feature for the 1950 Philadelphia Phillies, known as the Whiz Kids, who captured the National League pennant but were swept by the New York Yankees in the World Series. Those players include: infielder Putsy Caballero (third from the left), catcher Stan Lopata (tenth from the left), and infielder, Granny Hamner (third from the right). Incredibly, Caballero is one of the youngest men to ever play in a major league game - making four appearances for the 1944 Phillies at the age of only 16. 

5.25" x 25" display is comprised of several vintage photos, or pieces of photos, next to each inside the frame. Likenesses of each player remain easily discernible, with heavy use of what appears to be editorial masking above their heads. Text that was once applied to bottom edge of frame has since rubbed away over time. We can make out "Utica Blue Sox..." but beyond that your guess will be as good as ours. Vintage frame shows obvious staining to verso on left side, perhaps from liquid. A unique piece related to the early professional career of Philadelphia fan-favorite, Richie Ashburn.