Though most remembered as Walter Johnson's personal catcher while with the Washington Senators, Harold Dominic "Muddy" Ruel donned the tools of ignorance for 6 teams over his 19-year career (NYY, BOS, WSH, DET, SLB, CHW). In-fact it was Ruel who coined the now-famous term "the tools of ignorance" in the first place. An allusion to the grueling demands placed on players choosing to make the catcher's position their home. Ruel is also associated with one of the most tragic events in baseball history as he was behind the plate when Yankees submarine pitcher Carl Mays beaned Ray Chapman of Cleveland. Chapman would die the following day.

Ruel is striking a classic Deadball Era catching pose in this 5" x 7" news service photo that served as the source image for his 1922 E120 American Caramel card. Photo surface suffers from a scuff by Ruel's right knee where paper has been scraped away. There is minor creasing to the very tips of both left corners and the top right corner has been removed. Verso includes paper tag documenting Ruel's trade from the Yankees to Boston along with International news photo service stamping. Photo is fresh to the hobby and originates from the archive of Photo File, Inc. where it has been housed for many decades until this offering. Guaranteed Type 1.