Irish and Bob Meusel, 1923 World Series
Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Photographer: George Grantham Bain Collection
Photo Subject: Brothers Emil "Irish" (Giants) and Bob Meusel (Yankees) talking before Game One of the 1923 World Series at Yankee Stadium.
Fun Fact: The brothers Meusel talking before the 1923 World Series; the Yankees won 4-2 and it was younger brother Bob who led all players with eight RBIs. Older brother Emil, was called Irish because his teammates thought he looked Irish, even though his family heritage had German roots.
Bob was not known for being a great conversationalist, as sportswriters claimed a conversation with him usually consisted of “Hello” and “Goodbye.” He played for the Yankees during the 1920’s and it would be easy for a quiet left fielder to get lost in a crowd that included Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Tony Lazzeri and Earle Combs. Still, he was an integral part of “Murder’s Row” batting fifth after Ruth and Gehrig.
Bob was best known for having a strong throwing arm; Irish not so much. Bill James cites a story from Lee Allen’s The Hot Stove League:
“Irish was walking down the street with John McGraw when a one-armed man, very drunk, staggered up to them. ‘Pardon me, sir,’ the man began. ‘I had the misfortune to lose my arm . . . ‘
‘Get on your way,’ McGraw responded. ‘Irish ain’t got it.’”
Painting Detail: Printed on 13” x 19” canvas and painted using Schmincke Mussini and Marshall’s oil paints. Finer details, like uniform pinstripes, were made using Prismacolor pencils.
Acknowledgement: Bill James, The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract.