garryherrmann

LOC -- your date in brackets below the photo [1912] is incorrect. The negative bears the date 1913.

Wystan, The [1912] date does appear to be incorrect, and not just because of the date on the negative! Mr. Flanner on the far right is reading a 1913 souvenir score book issued by the Athletics for the World Series, so that further confirms the date. The full date is likely 10/8/13 despite the 10/9/13 on the negative. Game 2 of the 1913 World Series took place at Shibe Park in Philadelphia on Oct. 8, while Game 3 took place the next day in Brooklyn at the Polo Grounds. Thanks for the heads up!

August Herrmann bio on Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_Herrmann The photo was taken in New York City, where the team owners' association met, on December 9 and 10, 1913, to hold a formal election of Pennsylvania Governor John K. Tener, a former ball player, as the new President of the National League. Another photo shows the group assembled in convention in a New York hotel ballroom: During a lull in the proceedings, the dapper W. F. Baker, owner of the Philadelphia Phillies, consumes a cigar:

Another Bain/LOC photo of August "Garry" Hermann, owner of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team, and chairman of the National Base Ball Commission:

Bain photo of Garry Herrmann at the 1914 World Series:

From Wikipedia: "The National Commission was the ruling body of professional baseball starting with the National Agreement of 1903, which made peace between the National League and the American League ... It consisted of three members: the two League presidents and a Commission chairman, whose primary responsibilities were to preside at meetings and to mediate disputes." The commissioners in 1913 were: August "Garry" Herrmann, owner of the Cincinnati Reds (president), American League president B. Bancroft "Ban" Johnson, and National League president Thomas J. Lynch.

"ah ha! yes very pleasant old chap!"