Roger Bresnahan Catching at the Polo Grounds, 1908
Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Photographer: George Grantham Bain Collection
Photo Subject: Hall of Famer, Roger Bresnahan is catching for the New York Giants. It is possible that the batter is Fred “Cap” Clarke of the Pittsburgh Pirates and wild speculation on my part is that the umpire is Bill Klem. If so, this image captures three Hall of Fame members.
Fun Fact: The image setting is the third incarnation of the Polo Grounds in New York City that was built in 1890. Three years from the date of this image, a fire will destroy the mostly wooden structure. In 1911, John Brush, owner of the Giants, chose to build the fourth version of the Polo Grounds with steel and cement to help mitigate the risk of fire.
Painting Detail: Printed on 13” x 19” canvas and painted using Schmincke Mussini and Marshall’s oil paints. Finer details were made using Prismacolor pencils.