1917 Detroit AL Baseball Star Ben Dyer in Action

Ben Dyer, a notable figure in early 20th-century baseball, is captured in this photograph from 1917. Dyer played for the Detroit AL (American League) team during a dynamic period in baseball history. This year marked significant developments in the sport, including the continued rise of the American League and the burgeoning popularity of the game among fans. Dyer’s contributions to the team during this era included impressive on-field performances that helped shape the reputation of Detroits baseball franchise.

This image, originating from the Bain News Service, showcases the style and spirit of baseball players of the time. The glass negative employed to capture the photograph reflects the common photographic technique used in the early 1900s, allowing for detailed and vivid images. The correction of the title and year by the Society for American Baseball Research in 2006 underscores the continued interest in preserving the history of baseball and its players. Through photographs like this one, we see not just the individuals who played the game, but also the era in which they played, offering a glimpse into the life and culture of baseball during a pivotal time in American sports history.