(Originally published in the Agate Type newsletter.)

Many of the players in this photo of the 1920 ABCs, taken by J. E. Miller in Kansas City’s Association Park are (relatively) famous and non-controversial IDs (such as Hall of Famers Oscar Charleston, Ben Taylor, and Biz Mackey). But there are a few players who aren’t that well known, and a couple who have been incorrectly identified, so I thought I’d look at the photo in more detail.

The ABCs played two series in Kansas City in 1920, one from May 29 through June 2, and the other from September 25 through October 3. This photo could not have been taken during the late May / early June series, because Biz Mackey, Namon Washington, Robert Hudspeth, and Morris Williams, all in the photo, did not join the ABCs until July, when they were signed en masse (along with Henry Blackmon and Bob McClure) from the San Antonio Black Aces of the Texas Colored League.

So this photo was taken during the second ABCs/Monarchs series played in Kansas City, from September 25 through October 3 (with a three-day break in the middle).

Twelve ABCs players appeared in the September/October series. There are thirteen ABCs in the photo, including the manager, C. I. Taylor. This is how I identify them:

Standing L to R: Namon Washington, Connie Day, Ben Taylor, Morris Williams, Robert Hudspeth, Biz Mackey, Dizzy Dismukes

Kneeling, middle: C. I. Taylor

Seated L to R: Dicta Johnson, Oscar Charleston, Russell Powell, Morten Clark, Ralph Jefferson

Most of these players are well-known enough to be non-controversial IDs. Here are notes on a few of the more interesting/unclear cases.

1. Morris (aka Maurice) Williams

Williams was said to be 6’4” and 200 pounds, so he would clearly be the player standing next to Robert Hudspeth (himself said to be anywhere from 6’4” to 6’7”). This player also appears in an early-season picture of the 1923 Washington Potomacs, a team managed by Ben Taylor and featuring a number of former ABCs, including Morris Williams.

After joining the ABCs from the Black Aces in July 1920, Williams was a workhorse though not especially effective, going 4-6 with a 5.33 ERA in 82 innings against league teams. He started off 1921 with Indianapolis but quickly hurt his arm. He attempted a comeback with the Potomacs in 1923, but never got into any high-profile games before being cut loose.

I haven’t identified him for sure yet, though there are a few candidates. (UPDATE: Justin McKinney has identified him, though we still lack a death date.)

2. Ralph Jefferson

An excellent bunter, this journeyman outfielder and manager later became a sporting goods dealer, a magazine editor, and eventually a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 1940s.

3. Morten Clark

This player has been identified as Henry Blackmon by some sources, but Blackmon had left the team by the time this photo was taken (his last game for the ABCs was on September 14). It is in fact the shortstop Morten “Specs” Clark, sans spectacles.

4. Bob McClure

Also not appearing in the photo is the last of the San Antonio jumpers, Bob McClure, who, like Blackmon, left the team earlier in September (his last appearance was on September 6).

In the next post I’ll look at a couple of photos of the 1923 Indianapolis ABCs.