1922 Dickie Kerr Black Sox aka 1919 White Sox Seeks Reinstatement Original TYPE I Photo
Dickie Kerr (D. 1963) pitched 16 seasons in Organized Baseball from 1912 to 1927, four in the Major Leagues and 13 in the minors, with five years in independent ball. Unaware of the intrigue around him, Kerr pitched and won two games of the 1919 World Series for the "Black Sox". Hall of Fame catcher Ray Schalk who caught Kerr in the 1919 World Series, referred to him as "Little Giant", which led to newspapers calling him "The New Napoleon". In 1922 the Chicago White Sox cut Kerr's salary by $500. Dissatisfied with his new contract, he asked for his release, and then quit. Kerr was placed on the permanent ineligible list by Commissioner Landis, but was reinstated in 1925. From 1922 to 1925, he pitched "Outlaw ball". He coached Rice University in 1928.
After ten years in the cotton business in Texas and Arkansas, Kerr managed in the minors until he became a St. Louis Cardinals scout in 1946. In 1940 while managing the Daytona Beach Islanders in the Florida State League, one of his pitchers came up with a sore arm. Being fairly decent with a bat, Kerr convinced him to become an outfielder. That washed-up pitcher went on to become Hall of Famer Stan Musial. Kerr became embittered that he had not been named to the Hall of Fame even though he did not meet eligibility requirements - his oftsaid quote, "All baseball ever gave me was the boot".
This 1922 photograph measuring 6.5” x 8.5” depicts Dickie Kerr in uniform as it was announced he was applying for reinstatement into the big leagues. A cool image we have never seen before and from the archives of Underwood and Underwood (their stamp on back) along with the original paper caption.
Item: 13641
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Price: $225.00 | | |