1913 Polo Grounds Action: Cleveland Pitcher at Bat

This historical photograph features Cy Falkenberg, a professional baseball player from Cleveland, Alabama, captured at the Polo Grounds in New York in 1913. Falkenberg, primarily a pitcher, played a significant role in the early days of Major League Baseball. His career included stints with teams like the Cleveland Naps and the Washington Senators. The Polo Grounds, known for its unique layout and enthusiastic crowds, was a popular venue for baseball at that time, serving as the home field for the New York Giants.

The image, taken by the Bain News Service, highlights a moment in the vibrant history of baseball during the early 20th century. At that time, baseball was gaining immense popularity in the United States, becoming a staple of American culture. The original caption, Falkenberg, Cleve, identifies Falkenbergs connection to his hometown team, linking him to the community that supported his career. The photograph serves not only as a snapshot of an athlete but also as a representation of the eras athletic culture and the burgeoning excitement around professional sports. In 2006, the Pictorial History Committee of the Society for American Baseball Research clarified the details of this historical moment, reaffirming its place in the annals of baseball history.