Baseball player Albert Bridwell, New York Giants, shortstop, following through after throwing a baseball 1908 Photo

SUMMARY Al Bridwell of the National LeagueInformal full-length portrait of baseball player Al Bridwell of the New York Giants baseball team, following through after throwing a baseball, standing in front of the grandstands on the field at West Side Grounds, located between West Polk Street, South Wolcott Avenue (formerly Lincoln Street), West Taylor Street, and South Wood Street in the Near West Side community area of Chicago, Illinois. An unidentified Giants player is standing in the background. Crowds are sitting and standing in the grandstands.This photonegative taken by a Chicago Daily News photographer may have been published in the newspaper. SDN-054351, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society. 

Al Bridwell was a slick fielding shortstop during baseball’s dead ball era when the action was focused on the infield, and, most infields in-those-days had pebbles, stones and even glass for infielders to contend with. He broke into the majors with the Cincinnati Reds and after hitting .252 in 82 games was traded to the old Boston Braves for third baseman Jim Delahanty in January of 1906. For the Braves he was well respected by his teammates as the team’s starting shortstop.  After two seasons in Boston he was part of an eight men trade to the New York Giants. There, Al Bridwell had his best batting years, hitting .285, .295 and .276.

In 1914 Al Bridwell signed a large contract with St. Louis of the newly formed Federal League.