Lot # 249: 1894 Betz Baltimore Orioles Team Composite Cabinet w/Keeler, McGraw, Jennings & More

Category: 19th Century

Starting Bid: $500.00

Bids: 22 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Fall, 2022 - 10th Anniversary Auction",
which ran from 11/6/2022 12:00 PM to
11/26/2022 9:00 PM



Very rare cabinet card featuring a composite image of 16 members of the 1894 Baltimore Orioles. Included in the photo are Heinie Reitz, Willie Keeler (HOF), Hugh Jennings (HOF), Joe Kelley (HOF), Boileryard Clarke, Sadie McMahon, Ned Hanlon (HOF), Wilbert Robinson (HOF), Dan Brouthers (HOF), Bill Hawke, Duke Esper, John McGraw (HOF), Frank Bonner, Kid Gleason, George Hemming and Steve Brodie. The 1894 Orioles won the National League championship with an 89-39 record and are regarded as one of the greatest teams of all-time. Led by Joe Kelley's .393 batting average, all but two of the starting nine posted an on base percentage under .400 (outfielder Steve Brodie finished at .399). The team was a hustling bunting run-stealing bunch known for the Baltimore Chop (which was named after this team), the hit-and-run and various unsavory tactics designed to steal runs in any way possible (the grounds crew angled baselines inward so bunts would roll fair and kept infield grass longer to slow down ground balls). The team's style of play was highly influential and the number of future Hall of Fame managers featured on the roster is a testament to their smart style of play. The photos in this cabinet are borrowed from the 1894 Alpha Photo Engraving cards, only one set of which was known to exist. Depicting each player in formal attire, this composite contains a total of seven future Hall of Famers (including manager Ned Hanlon). Graded AUTH by SGC due to a severely clipped lower-right corner the images are still intact although faded (though a pronounced crease runs through the middle of the card). A wonderful document of one of the 19th Century's most important and influential teams.

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