Bob “Fats” “Fatty” “the People’s Choice” Fothergill was a Bloomer back in 1920. He went on to have a great 12-year career that ended with a .326 (.3255) average - ranking him in the top 50 all-time. In 1927 he batted .359 and drove in 114 runs for the Tigers. I was excited to pick up this type-1 photo of him from that 1927 season.

Throwback to an amazing piece I sold years ago - PSA Authenticated Jackie Robinson Type 1 Photograph. I believe this was a scene from the Jackie Robinson Story movie. Amazing image - I regret selling this one

This 1919 photo of Paul Zahniser arrived today! Pretty excited. He was a Bloomer in 1919 and 1920 and had a lengthy pro career, including spending parts of 5 seasons in the Big Leagues. Two of those seasons were with Walter Johnson and the Washington Senators, owned by former Bloomington Red, Normal, IL native, and Hall of Famer, Clark Griffith. This is my first photo of a future big-leaguer in a Bloomers uniform. Plus, I believe that’s Fan’s Field, home of Bloomington pro baseball for almost 40 years. I love seeing the fellas in hats and ties.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=zahnis001pau

I was able to pick up this killer 1921 type-1 of Ray Schmandt. He was a Bloomer for parts of the 1915 and 1916 seasons. I also have his 1922 American Caramel card. Ray had a nice pro career and was on the pennant-winning 1920 Brooklyn Robins.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=schman001ray

I was excited to pick up this c.1912 type-1 photo of Les Nunamaker. Les was a Bloomington Bloomer back in 1910. Aside from the fact that I was able to score a cool photo of a Bloomer in the big leagues, this is also an early photo of Fenway Park. I did a search of photos of Fenway Park from 1912 and located a good one. The 3rd image of this post shows the same “Gold Seal…” that is visible in the upper-right hand corner of my photo. Kinda neat. You can actually see the fellas painting the wall in the 3rd image.