The 1917 White Sox will forever be known as one of the finest ever fielded on Chicago’s South Side. That summer, the Sox won 100 games, a team record that still stands. Joe Jackson, Happy Felsch, Eddie Collins, and Chick Gandil combined for over 300 RBI as the Sox led the league in runs scored. Eddie Cicotte and Red Faber together won almost half of Chicago’s 100 wins to help the team finish a comfortable nine games in front of second place Boston. In the World Series against the New York Giants, Chicago won in six games, with Red Faber winning three, including the Game 6 clincher.
At some point in the 1917 season, the White Sox took time out to pose for famed sports photographer George Grantham Bain. Unlike several other formal team photos that exist of the Champion 1917 White Sox, this one depicts the team in a very relaxed atmosphere. Some players have their legs crossed, many are smiling, a few have their hands resting on the man in front of them, and two, one of which is Buck Weaver, are stretched out on the grass as if they are at a picnic. It is a classic image of a ballclub that knows they are more than able to beat all comers.
But as carefree and cheerful as the players in this 1917 team photo appear, a darkness was lurking beneath the surface. Twenty-four members of the club are captured including manager Pants Rowland, Coach Kid Gleason, Eddie Collins, Ray Schalk & Red Faber. Eight of the men shown in the photo – Joe Jackson, Eddie Cicotte, Happy Felsch, Chick Gandil, Buck Weaver, Lefty Williams, and Fred McMullin – would conspire to throw the World Series just two years later.
This wonderful team photo measures 4 ½” x 6 ½” and is a Type 1 photograph, printed from the original negative within 2 years of the photo being taken. As is consistent with George Grantham Bain’s work, the subject and inventory number has been etched into the negative and is visible along the top edge: “Chicago Americans 4350-12.” The image has been printed to the edge without a border. Along with a small tear along the upper left border there is slight edge wear, though nothing that distracts from the sharp printed image. The reverse has a faded caption that in part read, “Chicago American Champions” and “1917.” Several Culver Pictures, Inc. stamps are present along with a “DEACCESSIONED” stamp that is dated, “2/20/1992.” The photograph has been encapsulated by PSA and graded a Type 1 Authentic.