DATE: 10-10-1948 ORIGINAL or REPRINT: Type 3 - Second or later-generation photo, printed from a duplicate negative or wire photo process, within about 2 years of when it was shot TEAM: Boston Braves SUBJECTS: Warren Spahn, Bob Elliott, Bill Salkeld ISSUER: International News Photo PHOTOGRAPHER: Herb Scharfman APPROXIMATE SIZE: 10"x8-1/8" NUMBER OF PHOTOS: 1 COMMENTS / CONDITION: This is one of a number of photos to be offered which hail from the personal collection of All-Star player and manager Eddie Stanky. Wear on these, if any, is mostly confined to minor corner and edge wear, but see scans for further details including condition. We do not deal in stock images or modern reprints, and all scans shown are of the actual vintage photograph, slide or negative being sold. If you have any questions about a particular piece, please ask before the auction ends. BIO: Warren Edward Spahn was born in Buffalo, NY and died in 2003 in Broken Arrow, OK. He played major league baseball from 1942 to 1965 as pitcher for the Boston Braves, Milwaukee Braves, and brief stints with the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants, appeared in the 1948, 1957 and 1958 World Series, was selected 17 times as an All-Star, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973. Spahn was the 1957 Cy Young Award winner, and was the runner-up three times, all during the period when just one award was given. Spahn was known for a very high leg kick in his delivery, surpassed perhaps only by eventual Giants teammate Juan Marichal. Photo sequences show that this high kick served a specific purpose. As a left-hander, Spahn was able not only to watch any runner on first base, but also to not telegraph whether he was delivering to the plate or to first base, thereby forcing the runner to stay close to the bag. Spahn adapted over the years. As his fastball waned, Spahn relied more on changing speeds and location, with the help of a devastating screwball. He led the NL in wins from age 36 through 40. Spahn briefly managed the Tulsa Oilers AAA franchise in the Pacific Coast League in the 1960's. He also coached for the Mexico City Tigers, and also pitched a handful of games there. He was a pitching coach with the Cleveland Indians, in the minor leagues for the California Angels, and for six years, with Japan's Hiroshima Toyo Carp. Spahn died of natural causes, at his home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. A few months before his death, Spahn attended the unveiling of a statue outside Atlanta's Turner Field. The statue depicts Spahn in the middle of one of his leg kicks. The statue was created by Shan Gray, who has sculpted numerous other statues of athletes which stand in Oklahoma, including another one of Spahn that resides in the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. Robert Irving Elliott (Mr. Team) was born in San Diego, CA and died in 1966 in San Diego, CA. He played major league baseball from 1939 to 1953 as 3rd baseman and outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Braves, New York Giants, St. Louis Browns and the Chicago White Sox, appeared in the 1948 World Series, and was selected 7 times as an All-Star. After his playing career ended, Elliott then returned to California and became a manager in the Pacific Coast League, with the San Diego Padres (1955-57) and the Sacramento Solons (1959). After a third-place finish in Sacramento, Elliott received his only major league managing opportunity when he took over the Kansas City Athletics for the 1960 season. It was bad timing; the A's were one of the weakest teams in the American League, and the team's owner, Arnold Johnson, died suddenly just before the season began. The A's won only 58 games while losing 96 (.377) in Elliott's only season at the helm. He was fired by new owner Charles O. Finley at season's end, and replaced by Joe Gordon. In 1961, Elliott was a coach for the expansion Los Angeles Angels during their maiden AL campaign. William Franklin Salkeld was born in Pocatello, ID and died in 1967 in Los Angeles, CA. He played major league baseball from 1945 to 1950 as catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Braves and the Chicago White Sox, and appeared in the 1948 World Series. Herbie Scharfman was born in 1912 and died in 1998. A photographer for International News, The New York Mirror and the Brooklyn Dodgers in his earlier days, Scharfman became one of the greatest sports photographers of his generation. His works have been made famous throughout the pages and covers of Sports Illustrated ever since the magazine's inception. SKU: XP12577
Item: XP12577
|