Christy Mathewson Footage

quote:

Christy Mathewson and the New York National League

Movies of old time baseball are shockingly rare. So sad that many greats survive only in their stats, not in motion pictures. IMDB lists that movie which apparently five people (LOL) have seen and voted on:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0269089/

Does it really survive? I'd sure like to see it. Perhaps it's in some museum collection. With many of the old silents, only stills survive or mentions in ancient motion picture trade publications.

BTW, a highlight (one of the few) of Ken Burn's "Baseball" series is a few seconds of Walter Johnson pitching.

That's pretty interesting. My wife's side of the family is actually distantly related to Christy Mathewson.

micdsguy;

Thanks for the reply to my post. Here is a link to a few seconds of Mathewson throwing in the film I mentioned in my post:

http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip/331144_062.do

BTW, that's ONE pitch thrown 3 times in the clip, not 3 pitches! In the (excellent)DVD "One Hundred Years of World Series", there are a couple of segments of Walter Johnson pitching, just whipping them in there! Great stuff! I wouild pay a pretty penny to have a collection of any extant footage of old-timers, Johnson, Mathewson, Honus Wagner, Cobb, etc.etc.

Richard K.

THANK YOU for posting it. I may put a link in the pitching section. Is that perhaps the oldest movie of a major league pitcher at work?

The video works best if you insert an indian head penny in the top of your computer and slowly turn the crank on the side.

Did you notice all the other action on the field including the guy jumping to snag a high one? Looks like an umpire or maybe even a photographer in the suit. Splendid!