Cubs historical sleuthing: A day at the Polo Grounds

Flagstaff Films Let’s take a brief interlude on this off day to go back in time more than 65 years, to a Cubs game against the Giants at the Polo Grounds:

I looked at this with the sleuth’s eye, as always, and noted a few things. The uniform style worn by the Cubs was used from 1943-56, so that didn’t narrow it down too much. The uniform numbers did, though.

No. 25 is shown batting and also catching. The only Cubs catcher who wore No. 25 during that time was Walker Cooper, who played for the Cubs in 1954 and 1955.

Now we’re getting closer. Cooper hit two home runs in the Polo Grounds as a Cub — June 26, 1954 off Johnny Antonelli, and in the first game of a doubleheader September 9, 1954 off…