J. McGraw Finger

This card files under the variation tag "J. McGraw Finger," the T206 White Border pose of New York Giants manager John Joseph McGraw shown with his index finger raised — distinguished within the set from the alternate "glove at hip," "portrait," and "with cap" poses that all carry his name. The subject is McGraw (1873–1934), in 1909 already the seven-year manager of the Giants and a fixture of the National League's bench wars. As a player he had been the third baseman of the rough Baltimore Orioles of the 1890s, batting left and throwing right, before transitioning fully to managing in New York. By the time this card was issued he was no longer suiting up as an active player but ran the Giants in street clothes from the dugout. He went on to a 31-year managing tenure with three World Series titles. McGraw died February 25, 1934 in New Rochelle, New York, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1937 in the second class, the year after the charter five.