Circa 1917-20 Smoky Joe Wood Cleveland Indians Breathtaking Original TYPE I Photo

Smoky Joe Wood earned his nickname with a blazing fastball that prompted Walter Johnson to declare no man alive could throw harder. His 1912 season stands among the greatest in history: a 34-5 record, 1.91 ERA, and 16 consecutive wins that tied Johnson's AL record. Wood went 3-1 in the 1912 Fall Classic, helping Boston claim the title. In 1913, he slipped fielding a bunt, broke his thumb, and never fully recovered his pitching ability. After three diminished seasons and a year away from the game, he reinvented himself as an outfielder with the Cleveland Indians in 1917, rejoining former Red Sox teammate Tris Speaker. Wood proved himself a legitimate hitter, batting .283 lifetime and finishing in the AL top ten in RBI twice. His 1920 World Series appearance with Cleveland gave Wood his third championship ring, completing one of baseball's most remarkable two-career stories.

Offered is a stunning, crystal-clear original 8" x 10" Type I photograph. This is a fresh to the hobby image and perhaps his finest image as a member of the Tribe.

We’ve never seen this image before!