- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Indianapolis
- Team: Hoosiers (NL)
- League: National League
Henry J. Boyle (1860-1932) was known to his adoring fans as “Handsome Henry” during his ML career with the St. Louis Maroons & Indianapolis Hoosiers from 1884-89. His managers may have focused more on his mediocre performance than his comely appearance. The sturdy right-hander compiled an 89-111 record on the mound over his six seasons with a respectable lifetime 3.06 ERA. In an 1886 New York World article titled “How Men Pitch Base-Ball” it was noted that Boyle “depends chiefly upon the effectiveness of the ‘up-in-shoot’ and the terrific speed with which he drives in the straight pitch.” In an 1884 contest with the Washington club, Boyle was the center of controversy as the game was forfeited to the Maroons after losing the argument that Boyle’s foul ball was now too lopsided to be used.
- Boyle’s last season in St. Louis was the team’s finale as well. He was the NL ERA champ that year for the hapless Maroons with a sterling 1.76 ERA and a dismal 9-15 record
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Washington, D.C.
- Team: Nationals
- League: National League
Abner A. Boyce was posed by the Old Judge photographer prior to the 1888 season in a Washington Nationals uniform. The right-handed would-be major leaguer never fulfilled that ambition. According to the Goodwin card editors Boyce made the pre-season roster as a catcher for D.C. but fizzled out in exhibition games. They cite aWashington Post comment that Boyce was “quite nervous,” evidenced by eight passed balls in one game against Amherst College. The Post reporter noted: “It has been decided not to sign Boyce.” Apparently that was at least partly due to a high salary demand of $1800. By comparison, starting catcher Connie Mack received $2500 that year from the same club.
- Boyce hailed from Poughkeepsie, NY
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Boston
- Team: Red Stockings (NL)
- League: National League
Thomas Henry Bond (1856-1941) entered pro ball as the 1st Irishman to do so, and survived to become the last living member of the NL’s first season. In between, he was a force of nature on the mound, leading the NL in wins twice, winning 40+ from 1877-1879 for the Boston Red Caps.
- Hurled 386 complete games in 406 starts with 42 shutouts and ERA of 2.31
- In 1877 won the “triple crown” with 40 wins, 2.11 ERA and 280 SOs
- Compiled a career 234-169 record with a 2.14 ERA, 10th in MLB history
- Bond appeared only once on the Hall of Fame ballot, in 1936, and received only 1% of the votes by the Veteran’s Committee
- Tommy Bond did not appear in the Old Judge series as he had retired in 1886. This image is taken from a studio cabinet of unknown origin.
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Indianapolis
- Team: Hoosiers (NL)
- League: National League
Walter Bogart (Bogert?) is depicted on Old Judge cards identified as the first-baseman for the Indianapolis Hoosiers. There are four poses that suggest an infielder. The commentary in The Photographic Baseball Cards of Goodwin & Company (1886-1890) edited by Miller, Gonsowski and Masson indicate Bogart was invited to compete for the Hoosiers’ first-base job in 1888. They cite a Sporting News reference calling Bogart “an experiment in the league, at best.” Bogart did not make the roster. Dude Esterbrook and Jumbo Schoeneck were the team’s first-sackers that year. No other information about this aspiring big-leaguer is available.
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Detroit
- Team: Wolverines
- League: National League
Charles Wesley Bennett (1854-1927) was one of the premier catchers of the 19th century. He played 15 years from 1878 to 1893, briefly for the Milwaukee Grays and Worcester Ruby Legs before joining the Detroit Wolverines. Charlie played all seven years of that club’s history in the NL before concluding his tenure with the Boston Beaneaters his final five seasons. Starring for four pennant-winners, Bennett set defensive records in fielding percentage (seven times), putouts, double plays and games behind the plate and was an excellent hitter. His career ended tragically in 1894 when he lost both legs in a Kansas train accident. The beloved backstop was honored by his Motor City admirers when the Tigers’ new stadium was named Bennett Park in 1896.
- Credited with developing the first chest-protector – a cork-lined vest worn under his uniform
- Played in two pre-World Series title matches: Detroit in ’87 and Boston in ‘92
- This image is not known to exist in the Old Judge series. The photo was taken during the Tomlinson Studio photoshoot of 1886 in Detroit. However, the one known OJ Bennett image was taken during the same photoshoot.
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