Vintage 1917 Baseball Star in Action, New York NL

This 1917 photograph captures Benny Kauff, a prominent baseball player of the early 20th century, who played for the New York National League team. Kauff was known for his speed and batting prowess, making significant contributions during his short but notable career. At the time this image was taken, baseball was solidifying its place as Americas favorite pastime, and players like Kauff were becoming national celebrities.

The photo, originally provided by the Bain News Service, reflects the era’s fascination with sports and its heroes. The corrections made by the Pictorial History Committee and the Society for American Baseball Research in 2006 highlight the ongoing efforts to accurately document baseball history. Kauffs career was eventually cut short due to a controversy, yet his legacy endures through images like this one, which offer a glimpse into the vibrant world of baseball in the early 1900s.