It’s safe to say that the world was a different place back in the 1930s. Just how different you ask? Let’s look at a certain baseball card and it’s odd connection to Notre Dame football.
Zeke Bonura was a Major League first baseman from 1934-1940 as he spent time with the Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators, New York Giants, and Chicago Cubs during his career. His 1936 Goudey World Wide Gum card (No. 112) was brought to my attention Friday night and I just feel the need to share.
Bonura looks like a handsome fella on the front of the card as the picture captures him in a suit instead of his uniform. It’s the back of the card however that you’ll likely be a bit more interested in as that offers an observation from former Notre Dame football coach that, well, is certainly an observation that was made:
— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) November 5, 2021
If you can’t see the photo clear enough, it reads:
The late Knute Rockne, glimpsing this handsome youth under a shower at Notre Dame, promptly remarked: “Get a load of that fellow’s physique! Where upon Henry John was named “Zeke.”
Also, if you’re at all a baseball fan you should be following Christopher Kamka on Twitter. He’s the biggest stat-head I’ve ever come across and loves baseball as much as anyone I know, especially the White Sox.
On that note I’ll be signing off now. Talk to you all for the game on Saturday afternoon.
Related:
Notre Dame-Navy: Staff Predictions
Charting Notre Dame’s path to the College Football Playoff
Notre Dame updates depth chart for Navy week