1915 Family Portrait of Baseball Legend Billy Sunday

This photograph from 1915 features Billy Sunday, an influential figure in both the sporting and religious communities of the early 20th century, alongside his family. Sunday was a professional baseball player turned popular evangelist, known for his dynamic preaching style and vigorous promotion of the temperance movement. After having a successful baseball career, playing for teams like the Chicago White Stockings and the Philadelphia Phillies, he transitioned to preaching, which gained him significant national attention.

The image captures a moment of family life, reflecting the personal side of a man who became a household name during revival meetings across the United States. By the 1910s, Sunday had built a reputation for his fervent sermons, often drawing thousands to his events. His ability to connect with audiences not just as a preacher, but also as a family man, contributed to the cultural landscape of the time, marking a shift in the way religion and entertainment intersected in American life. The photograph serves as a snapshot of this unique period, showcasing the man behind the public persona.