March 31 1910 — It’s the Los Angeles Angels’ home opener, and Herriman scouts out all the local notables who have come to see the spectacle. Note especially the caricature of Jimmy Swinnerton, who was on hand, looking pretty hale and hearty. Evidently by 1910 his health was much better than in 1906 when Hearst sent him back to California in hopes that he wouldn’t die of TB.
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A who's who in the strip:
Edward R. Maier, (c. 1882-1943) owner of the Vernon Tigers club in the PCL, which he had bought in 1909, and would sell in 1925. He had built an entire new stadium in Venice in 1913, and had it dismantled and moved to Vernon in 1915. A brewery owner in Venice (hence Herriman's "on tap" comment), which was a rare wet town in Los Angeles County.
James Jeffries, 1875-1953 at this time the former heavyweight boxing champion, and angling for his comeback in the Fight of the Century with Jack Johnson in July, 1910.
Jack Kipper, 1866-1944, prominent Los Angeles-based boxing promoter, closely connected with the Los Angeles Coliseum. Known for his work with the California Athletic Commission. Described in a 1910 newspaper article as being a sparring partner of Jeffries.
George Alexander, 28th mayor of Los Angeles, 1909-1913; the March 31st edition of the Los Angeles Herald has a photo of Alexander doing exactly what Herriman is showing.
"McGreevy" Listed in the box score for the game as the umpire. The Herald's account of the game doesn't describe a dispute.
"Nagle" Walter "Judge" Nagle (1880-1970), pitcher for the Angels, who won this game, 1-0. He would go 25-16 for the Angels in 1910, and have a brief major league career in 1911, pitching for the Pirates and Red Sox.
Corney Pendleton, Cornelius W. Pendleton (1859-1936) noted Los Angeles politician, who had been a state senator and (briefly) speaker of the California Assembly.
James Swinnerton, 1875-1974 (in spite of TB!), a stalwart of Hearst's cartooning bullpen.
Hen Berry, Henry "Hen" Berry, owner of the Los Angeles Angels baseball team since 1906 — he would sell the Angels in 1914 and move north to buy the San Francisco Seals, selling them in turn in 1918. Died in an auto accident in 1929.
Luke Kelly, a squib published in the March 24, 1910 Los Angeles Herald's "Rialto Gossip" column identifies him as living in San Pedro (as does Herriman's cartoon) and notes he was a friend of Jim Jeffries and Hen Berry.
"Carlisle" Water "Rosy" Carlisle, 1881-1945, center fielder that day for the Vernon team. The Herald's account of the game doesn't describe any incident involving him. Made an extraordinarily rare unassisted triple play in 1911 for the Tigers (against the Angels), the only recorded for an outfielder in professional baseball. Had a brief MLB career with the Red Sox in 1908.
John Brink, May 1915 obituary in the Los Angeles Herald describes him as a pioneer café owner and sportsman
"Woodill" Could not locate any information.
Al. Levy, 1860-1941, was a well-known restauranteur in Los Angeles. Since 1906, he had owned an eponymous restaurant at 3rd and Main that was known for its opulence.
Nat Goodwin, 1857-1919, vaudeville actor
"Clarence the Undead Berry," Clarence Berry was Hen Berry's brother, an oil speculator, and was the source of Hen Berry's funds to buy the Angels in 1906.