“Baseball and Kids” Photo Gallery
Click on any image below to see photos in full size and to start Photo Gallery:
We’re Half Way to “Pitchers and Catchers Report…”
We’re about halfway through the offseason with about six weeks or so to go until we hear those magic words: “Pitchers and catchers report…” So this is a good time to go through our extensive Old-Time Baseball Photos archives looking some real gems from the past to repost.
Here’s one of my all-time favorites from the Leslie Jones Boston Public Library collection, beautifully colorized by our resident baseball artist, Don Stokes. I originally posted it almost two years ago. I love it because it really captures the “flavor” of baseball in the ’30’s.
Want to take a guess as to who the two ballplayers are? Their names are at the bottom of this post. Hint: One is in the Hall of Fame, and the other is a long-forgotten star from the 1930’s.
Look at the excitement on these kids’ faces. What a thrill it must have been for them to be up close with two real-live baseball stars! (Click on the photo to get a better look). That’s something I’ll bet they never forgot. Those guys could be any one of our fathers — or grandfathers – today. Doesn’t this just remind you of how much you loved baseball when you were a kid? And don’t forget, back in the 30’s, there was no other sport for a kid to follow. A kid’s life centered around baseball!
Here’s one interesting thing: Most of the kids in the top row are looking real serious, while the kids in front are all excited to be with the ball players. When I posted this the first time, someone commented that the kids in the top row probably grew up to be pool hustlers! Also check out the weird hat the kid in the top row middle is wearing. Not sure what that is.
The two ball players are: Hall-of-Famer Earl Averill on the left, and forgotten 1930’s star Joe Vosmik on the right.
Gary Livacari
Photo Credits: Featured photo from the Leslie Jones Boston Public Library Baseball collection. Colorizations by Don Stokes:https://www.facebook.com/Don-Stokes-Old-Time-Baseball-Colorizations-923346241033508/?fref=ts; Other photos found on Google search
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