1939 NEWARK EAGLES TEAM PHOTO WITH FOUR HOF MEMBERS- IRVIN, SUTTLES, DAY, WELLS.
Item Description
Presented here is the finest known original team photograph depicting one of the Negro National League's most dominant teams of the late 1930s thru the mid 1940s, the Newark Eagles. Not only did this future championship ball club feature four all-time Negro League greats on the field (Monte Irvin, Mule Suttles, Leon Day & Willie Wells) as well as a future HOFer, Dick Lundy, as Field Manager but also contributed the only woman to ever be enshrined in Cooperstown, team executive, Effa Manley.
Effa along with her husband, Abe Manley, put together the Newark Eagles ball club in 1936, merging the former Brookyln Eagles and Newark Dodgers teams. While Effa was much more involved with the on field activities of the team, Abe handled most of the business affairs, negotiations, etc. While Effa was known for taking a liking to some of her younger ballplayers, even going as far as rumored affairs with more than one, she was able to get the team to maximize its potential as success began to come early for youngsters, Monte Irvin and Leon Day. Along with the veteran leadership of long-time Negro League slugger, Mule Suttles and shortstop great, Willie Wells, Newark was able to go toe-to-toe with the great Homestead Grays ball club during the 1939 season before falling back late in the year and finishing in second place with a 29-20 record. Dick Lundy did an excellent job as the player/manager of the team and, although not currently enshrined in Cooperstown, he's definitely a top candidate for future selection.
Taking a little closer look at the stars of this team, Monte Irvin was playing just his second full season for Newark, having joined the team during the 1937 season. Irvin would go on to become one of two Baseball Hall of Famer's (along with Roy Campanella) to split his career 50/50 between the Negro Leagues and the Major Leagues, staring for the same New York Giants ball club throughout the 1950's as superstar Willie Mays, a brief Negro Leaguer in his own right. Leon Day would become a mainstay of the Newark Eagles pitching staff throughout the 1940s, often playing winter ball down in the Caribbean to supplement his Newark salary. Mule Suttles was a hulking first baseman who starred for the St. Louis Stars during the 1920s and was considered by many to be the preeminent NL slugger during the late 1920s and early 1930s. Willie Wells was a remarkable shortstop, a rare five tool player, who was widely regarded as being the best at his position in black baseball during the 1920s & 1930s.
Offered here on this original 8x10" glossy is an exceptional team image depicting 16 members of the Newark Eagles prior to a ballgame at the stadium. Identifications of the individuals are: Front Row (L to R)-Leon Day, Dick Seay, Dick Lundy, Willie Wells, Leon Ruffin, Jimmy Hill, Vernon Riddick & Back Row (L to R)-Monte Irvin, Fred Wilson, Lennie Pearson, Mule Suttles, Max Manning, Harry Cozart, Ed Stone, James Brown, Johnnie Hayes.
Photo has all over creasing, but much is only visible in reflected light. Heavier 3.5" crease at top right w/emulsion wear. Several small margin tears w/clear tape repairs on reverse. Despite the evident wear the image is bold and sharp, and photo overall displays much better than the Good grade we must assign to it.
With only a couple of other examples known to exist, this is a rare opportunity to pick up an original team photo of one of the Negro National League's powerhouse teams of the 1930s & 1940s. Although she is not pictured in the photo, every serious Negro League baseball enthusiast realizes that Effa Manley aka The First Woman of Baseball was behind the success of this wonderful team and this enduring image makes a great memento towards remembering her accomplishments.
