Rare 1908 "Merkle's Boner" October 8th Giants vs. Cubs "Makeup Game" to Decide the Pennant Photograph - Dispute at the Plate! (PSA Type I)

Auction: Spring Classic 2022

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Rare 1908 "Merkle's Boner" October 8th Giants vs. Cubs "Makeup Game" to Decide the Pennant Photograph - Dispute at the Plate! (PSA Type I)

Rare originalType I photograph capturing a heated argument between the New York Giants andChicago Cubs during their historic final game on October 8, 1908, to decide theNational League pennant. This is, to the best of our knowledge, one of onlythree known images from this game, and the only example of this photo to appearat auction. The game was a make-up of the famous “Merkle’s Boner” game onSeptember 23rd. In that game, the Giants had seemingly defeated theCubs in the ninth inning on a two-out base hit by Al Bridwell. However, FredMerkle, who was on first base at the time, failed to touch second base beforeexiting the field (a common practice at the time). Second baseman Johnny Eversnoticed this, called for the ball (there is some dispute whether he retrievedthe actual ball Bridwell hit), and stepped on second for the force out, therebynegating the winning run. After a lengthy argument by the Giants, the umpires upheld the call. They also decided that it was too late to startanother inning and declared the game a tie. The importance of the game becameapparent at the end of the season when both clubs finished tied for first. As aresult, National League president Harry Pulliam ordered that the game bereplayed on October 8th at the Polo Grounds. The Giants, of course,lost the game, thereby forever immortalizing Fred Merkle’s name in the annalsof baseball history. The imagepictures numerous members of the Giants and Cubs huddled together around homeplate as the umpires watch the fracas. We don’t know the nature of the dispute,but Cubs catcher Johnny Kling looks particularly upset. There are nodescriptive markings on the photo to identify the game or date (we know it is1908, because the uniform style worn by the Cubs here was used only during thatseason). However, we can accurately determine it is from the October 8thmakeup game because we found a nearly identical image, taken by George GranthamBain, that is housed in the Library of Congress. (The Bain photograph picturesnearly the exact same scene as the offered photo, only it was taken either afew seconds earlier or later, because the position of the players is slightlydifferent.) Bain’s photo is clearly marked by his customary etching in the negativethat reads "Dispute - Giant - Cub Final Game '08."It is incrediblethat given the importance of the October 8th makeup game that so fewphotos from the contest exist. Aside from the offered photo and the Bainexample housed in the Library of Congress, the only other image we know of isthat featured on a real-photo panoramic postcard that pictures a game-in-progressscene. This is both a rare and historically important Type I photo that wouldbe welcome addition to any advanced baseball photograph, New York Giants, orChicago Cubs collection. The photo (6.75x4.75 inches) displays a “Spooner& Wells, Inc.” credit stamp on the reverse, along with a handwritten numberin pencil. There is a tiny chip in the lower-left corner, a few minor surfacewrinkles, and adhesive residue on the reverse. In Excellent condition overall. <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; text-align: start; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">PSA encapsulated as Type I Authentic.