CHICAGO — A picture of one of the goofiest players in White Sox history — pitcher Nick Altrock sporting his trademark, cock-eyed hat — is included in a treasure trove of historical photos up for auction.
The photo is part of some 7,400 of Charles M. Conlon's negatives being sold by Heritage Auctions. The collection, which features works made by Conlon between 1904 to 1942, could fetch $1 million, the New York Times says.
Altrock is one of the more colorful players to wear the White Sox uniform in team history. His high point may have been 1906, when he went 20-13 with a 2.06 ERA and beat the Cubs 2-1 in the first game of the 1906 World Series.
Off the field (and sometimes on it) he was known for his humor.
"With a big wide nose spread out to his cheeks and two jug handles for ears, his face looked like an iron had flattened it," according to a biography posted on the website for the Society of American Baseball Research.
"With his cap sitting sideways and slightly askew on his head and usually with a big grin on his face, Altrock looked like a born comic."
Indeed, he would pantomime vaudeville routines on the field, such as shadowboxing with an imaginary opponent and knocking himself out, or pretending to spike himself.
He would mimic umpires, walk foul lines like a tightrope, and roll baseballs like bowling balls, much to the delight of the fans, recalled the Cultural Encyclopedia of Baseball.
"Despite his considerable talent and success on the mound, Nick never took his playing very seriously," according his SABR biography. His contemporaries described him as "carefree" and "eccentric."
"Nick was known to take a drink or three after a game, and some writers blamed Nick's love for malt brew for his decline after the 1906 Series," according to the biography.
Altrock once said, "I never took but two things seriously in my life: My clowning and my golf."
Later, he teamed up with other ex-players to perform comedy shows at baseball games. The Cincinnatti native died in 1965.
Heritage Auctions calls the Conlon archive "quite simply, the most important and comprehensive record of early twentieth century baseball that exists." It includes photos of Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth and other stars of the 20th Century.
RELATED VIDEO: Altrock Cuts Coach's Hair With Garden Shears in Comedy Routine
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