Possibly William “Pa” Rourke and one of his Omaha, Nebraska, baseball teams
Description
A sepia-toned photograph (13 x 10 cm., 16.5 x 11 cm. with cardboard frame) that may be of one of the Omaha minor league baseball teams. The man in the middle not wearing a uniform may be William "Pa" Rourke. At the bottom of the photo is: Heyn, Photographer. The right and left sides of the cardboard frame read: Compliments of Cahn's Clothiers and Furnishers, 1313 Farnam St., Omaha. The reverse side of the card says: Heyn The Photographer 313 to 317 S. 15th St., Omaha, Neb.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1864, William A. "Pa" Rourke managed Omaha’s entry in the Western Association in 1894 and its entry in the Western League for part of 1898. However, he is best known for being the owner of the Omaha franchise in the Western League from 1900 (he became sole owner in 1901) until early 1921 and the manager of its team for all or part of many of the seasons while he was the owner. Rourke remained retired from Organized Baseball from 1921 until 1927, when he became a scout for the Cincinnati Reds, a position he held until his death in 1932. He is buried in Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Omaha.
Omaha Public Library
