DATE: 1929-32 ORIGINAL or REPRINT: Type 2 Original - Printed from the original negative, but in a later period TEAM: Washington Senators SUBJECT: Joe Cronin PHOTOGRAPHER: George Burke APPROXIMATE SIZE: 3-1/2"x5-1/2" MARKS / STAMPING: Handwritten identification of photo's subject. Has standard postcard back but remains postally unused. NUMBER OF PHOTOS: 1 COMMENTS / CONDITION: Offered is an approximately 3-1/2"x5-1/2" real photo postcard of Joe Cronin, pictured in his Washington Senators uniform circa 1929-32. The original photo was taken by George Burke in 1929-32, but this card was produced some time later (no earlier than the 1950's judging by the standard Kodak back). Comes from a large collection of such postcards that we will be listing over the coming months, all having standard postcard backs but being postally unused. 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 item being sold. If you have any questions about a particular piece, please ask before the auction ends. BIO: Joseph Edward Cronin was born in San Francisco, CA and died in 984 in Osterville, MA. He played major league baseball from 926 to 945 as infielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Senators and the Boston Red Sox, appeared in the 933 World Series, was selected 7 times as an All-Star, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 956. In 930, Cronin had a break out year, batting .346 with 3 home runs and 26 RBI. Cronin won both the AL Writers' MVP (forerunner of BBWAA official MVP established in 93) and the AL Sporting News MVP for his work in 930. His 93 season was also outstanding, posting a .306 average, 2 home runs and 26 RBI. Cronin assumed managerial duties in 933, a role he would continue with the Boston Red Sox, the team he was traded to prior to the 935 season, by Senators' owner Clark Griffith - his own uncle-by-marriage. Cronin retired as a player in 945 (though he was only a part-time player after 94), but remained as manager of the Red Sox until 947. At the end of the 947 season, he succeeded Eddie Collins as general manager of the Red Sox and continued in that post through mid-January 959. The Red Sox challenged for the AL pennant in 948-49 (finishing second by a single game both seasons) thanks to Cronin's aggressive trades, but they began a slow decline during the 950s and did not seriously contend after 950. While most attention has been focused on the Red Sox being the last major league team to integrate its roster (Cronin once passed on signing a young Willie Mays), another factor was a large number of "bonus babies" who never panned out. In January 959, Cronin was elected president of the American League, the first former player to be so elected. Six months later, on July 2, 959, infielder Pumpsie Green was recalled from the AAA Minneapolis Millers, becoming the first African-American to wear a Red Sox uniform. Cronin served as AL president until the end of 973, when he was succeeded by Lee MacPhail. His jersey number 4 was formally retired by the Red Sox on May 29, 984. In 999, he was named as a finalist to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. SKU: GB11184
Item: GB11184
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