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Originally Posted by cinemaodyssey
It appears that the BR and Facepack image used for Ryan comes from the Sporting News. Research done by SABR has shown that Ryan played in the Southern League for awhile, though BR doesn't show any minor league statistics for him. There is, however, a Mike J. Ryan that played around the same time and was a starter for Chattanooga in 1892 and 1893. I'm curious if this is the same guy, though major league Ryan played at 3B and minor league Ryan was at 1B. I've attached the BR image, a cabinet photo taken from the Atlanta Constitution that depicted the 1892 Chattanooga team, and a woodcut from 5/13/1892 in the Chattanooga Daily Times. To my eye these look nearly identical.
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Mike Ryan made his debut on July 25, 1895. The St. Louis Globe-Democrat wrote the next day "Denny Lyons' sore knee went back on him, and he was replaced by a Carondelet amateur - Ryan by name - in the eighth inning. Mr. Ryan has a large local following, who were out to see him perform. He had nothing to do, and he did it well. He is a good looker, and comes well recommended." The St. Louis Post-Dispatch described him as "another St. Louis boy" on July 26 and "the South St. Louis amateur" on July 27. (Carondelet Park is in south St. Louis city.)
Ryan played one more game, on July 27. The PD summed it up. "Ryan was let out. His unsuccessful attempt, if attempt it could be called, to stop Shindle's easy grounder in the third was the cause."
Doesn't sound to me like a person who played for many year in the minors, as Mike Ryan (ryan--001mik) with Chattanooga in 1892 and 1893 is credited with doing.