The 1890 Boston Beaneaters?

Perusing Bill Burgess' collection of 19th century photographs over at Baseball Fever, I noticed a team picture of the 1890 Boston Beaneaters and realized that I knew most of the guys on the team. While that may speak to an over-familiarity with 19th century baseball, I thought it was more interesting that several of the Beaneaters had St. Louis connections.

Looking at the team photo, Chippy McGarr, who played with the Browns in 1888, is in the back row at the far left. Patsy Donovan, who lived in St. Louis, played with the St. Louis Nationals from 1900-1903, and was technically the first manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, is in the back row, third from the left. Bill identifies the player third from the right as Scrappy Bill Joyce, a St. Louis native-although Joyce isn't listed on the team roster. Tommy Tucker, back row, far right, played with the Browns in 1898. Kid Nichols, middle row, far left, played with the Cardinals in 1904 and 1905. Steve Brodie, middle row, far right, played for the Browns in 1892 and 1893. Another Beaneater not in the picture but who played for the Browns in 1892 was Charlie Getzien.

I realize that this is apropos of nothing and it's certainly not unique but I was fascinated by the randomness of it.