John Montgomery Ward appears on nine different poses in the N172 Old Judge issue, including this natty portrait from his years with New York. SGC graded this as Authentic due to surface dots and other possible touchups. It retains an otherwise clean, even image, with good borders and corners. Their population report shows just eight total graded!

Ward showed durability and versatility in his Hall of Fame career, winning 164 games as a pitcher before converting to a top-notch infielder and manager. His 2000+ hits, 1,400+ runs, 500+ stolen bases, and multiple titles with the New York Giants burnished a resume for eventual Cooperstown induction. It's possible that his legal work on behalf of players, which included a successful 1885 challenge to that era's Reserve Clause, and role in creating the short-lived Players League, delayed induction support from league ownership, echoing our modern era's delayed recognition for MLBPA cornerstone Marvin Miller.