- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Detroit
- Team: Wolverines
- League: National League
Charles H. Getzein (1864-1932) mastered the “pretzel curve,” thrown with a skipping delivery and a sharp overhand swing. The pastry analogy may have been hyperbole, but he was able to baffle hitters for nine major league seasons for five teams. Charlie came into his own with the Detroit Wolverines and was stellar in 1886-87 winning 59 games plus hurling six complete games in the ’87 “Series.”
- Game 6 of that tourney was witnessed by 10,000 at the Polo Grounds. Getzein no-hit St Louis for 8 innings, shutting them out en route to a Detroit championship
- Teamed with catcher Charlie Ganzel, a duo sports writers dubbed the “Pretzel Battery”
- Career record: 145-139 including 277 complete games with an ERA of 3.46
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Detroit
- Team: Wolverines
- League: National League
Dennis Joseph Brouthers (1858-1932) was one of the truly great hitters of the 19th century. Dan (pronounced BROOTHERS) played for ten teams over 19 seasons. He led the NL in OBP five times; SLG% seven times; H & 2B three times; Rs, HRs, & RBI twice. The 19-year old Brouthers vowed to quit the game when Johnny Quigley, a catcher for Harlem in 1877, died a month after a horrific home plate collision with Big Dan. He relented after the shock subsided & went on to the most prolific career of his era.
- One of only 29 to play in four decades
- .342 BA is 9th all-time; .423 OBP is 15th
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1945
- 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.
Auction History
Cartophilia
Old Judge Pose: 27-1
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Detroit
- Team: Wolverines
- League: National League
Charles B. Baldwin (1859-1937) got his first taste of "big league” ball with the Cream Citys (Milwaukee Brewers) when that Northeastern League franchise briefly joined the Union Association in 1884. For five more years with the Detroit Wolverines, Brooklyn Bridegrooms and Buffalo Bisons of the renegade Players’ League, Lady’s left arm would win 73 games with a 2.85 ERA and 582 Ks. His stellar season of 1886 saw him lead the NL with a 42-13 record including 55 complete games and a league-best 323 strikeouts. His 42 wins still place him 2nd all-time among southpaws. Baldwin followed that annus mirabilis with an injury plagued season in 1887, but still managed to pitch five complete games (winning four) to lead Detroit over the St. Louis Browns in the inaugural Dauvray Cup series.
- Baldwin’s nickname derived from his abstemious ways and a refined manner uncharacteristic of 1880s baseball
- It is said that Baldwin was the first lefty to master the curve
- Matt Kilroy is the only left-hander to win more in a single season with 46 in 1887
- Of Baldwin, Hall of Famer Ned Hanlon said, "I will not hesitate in saying that 'Lady' Baldwin was the best left-handed pitcher of his day and one of the best that ever stood in the box. He had wonderful command, speed and curves, and knew how to work the batters." - Sporting Life, September 11, 1897
- Although the Old Judge series features five known poses of Lady Baldwin, I could not find one of suitable quality for this project. This photo was taken during the Tomlinson Studio photoshoot of 1886 in Detroit and is not known to exist in the Old Judge series.
- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: Detroit
- Team: Wolverines
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Portraits of Sam Thompson are exceptionally rare. This is simply a case of having struggled to make a card out of a particularly difficult image, only to find a better image later. This card is now an outtake and has been replaced by another.
- This card was created and issued four times. It has now been retired.
- You can find the replacement card here
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