1951 Brooklyn Dodgers Farm Director Fresco Thompson Roster Chalkboard /w Jackie Robinson Original TYPE I Photo

Fresco Thompson (1902–1968) played second base for four National League clubs from 1925 to 1934, batting .298 lifetime with his best years spent at Philadelphia's Baker Bowl. After managing in the minors, he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers front office, rising to head their farm system for 22 years, overseeing six Rookie of the Year winners and four World Series titles. Named GM in June 1968, he died of cancer just months later, succeeded by Al Campanis.

Offered is an original 7" x  9" TYPE I Photo with original ACME stamp and paper caption on the back featuring Thompson reviewing the upcoming 1951 Brooklyn Dodgers spring training roster. Names like Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Gil Hodges, Don Necombe, Carl Furillo, Duke Snider, Dan Bankhead are shown on the chalkboard.

Original paper caption reads:

NEW YORK BUREAU COUNT 'EM — 40

NEW YORK: Fresco Thompson, Director of the Brooklyn Dodger Farm System and the man who reportedly replaces Branch Rickey as Dodger General Manager, looks over what may be his 40-man roster next spring, at the Dodger office, Nov. 1. Thompson declined to say whether he had been offered the job but said an announcement would be made at a press conference on Nov. 2.

NY-A CREDIT (ACME) 11-1-50 (JG)