Beautiful photograph of Cleveland pitcher Cy Young with his former batterymate Lou Criger, as distributed on July 29, 1909 by the Sporting News as part of an issue that featured 100 different supplements distributed between 1909 and 1913. Criger is much chronicled throughout this catalog. Suffice it to say, this photo best illustrates his relationship with Young.

This offering has been very well preserved, considering the large format, and it is now safely protected in a PSA slab. Despite exhibiting some age-related wear - namely some light corner and edge wear - the rest of this offering has tremendous eye appeal. The details on this photo are spectacular. Note the pinstripes on Cy's Cleveland uniform, or the ribbing on his socks. The ability to clearly see these details is only possible due to the large format printing of this gorgeous image.

After Criger's 1909 trade to the St. Louis Browns, Young stated, "In Criger, St. Louis will get one of the greatest catchers that ever donned a glove. I've pitched to him so long that he seems a part of me and I am positive no one will suffer from the departure more than I." Criger was traded by the Red Sox to the Browns in December of 1908. Just two months later, the Red Sox would move Young to the Cleveland Naps, separating the long-time teammates and friends once and for all.

While the piece has some faint creasing along the bottom edge and light soiling on the reverse, the image is extremely presentable and would make for an excellent display. An outstanding document, particularly interesting to Cleveland or Young collectors.

PSA has only ever graded 15 total examples of this 1909-13 M101-2 Sporting News Supplement, with only three receiving a higher grade than the Poor 1 offered here of Lou Criger and Hall of Famer Cy Young.