This was a fun batch to go through. Aside from knowing 1938 is a championship season, there was an abundance of photos to scan, plus a couple of miscellaneous finds that I've included just for fun.
This was a great season for the Giants, who won their thrid NFL crown and became the first two win multiple titles in the championship game era, having beaten the Bears in 1934. Mel Hein was named the NFL's most valuable player, and remains the only lineman to be so bestowed. Aside from being the best center to have played the game, Hein was a fantastic defender (he played the proto-linebacker position) who could change the flow of a game on his own (it's no exaggeration to say he was the Lawrence Taylor of his day).
From training camp to post championship celebrations, it's all covered here.
Enjoy!
Danowski, Manton & White demonstrating an unorthodox placement technique
Len Barnum carries the ball through traffic - note Wellington Mara observing in the background
Giants vs Eastern College All-Stars
Eight years after the Giants humblied Knute Rockne's Notre Dame All-Stars in a high profile exhibition, professional players still strived for respect amongst the general public
practice outside the Polo Grounds
Starting line up for the home opener agaisnt the Pittsburgh Pirates on October 3rd
Despite hosting pro football for only their second season, Washington had one of the best home fields in the league.
The Beasts of the East had the best fiercest rivaly in the NFL this side of Green Bay-Chicago.
This is a proof for a shoe advertisement featuring kickers and punters from the Giants & Dodgers
In the 1920s & 1930s, pre game or half time kicking exhibitions were a popular attraction
Brooklyn vs Manhattan, any sport, any time of year, is an event
After the hype settled, the Giants and Dodgers got around to playing a football game
The coach and captain welcome a new comer
A matchup of forward passers
Giants vs Chicago Cardinals
Before the Rams moved to Los Angeles from St. Louis from Los Angeles, they called Cleveland home
The Giants defeated the Packers at the Polo Grounds in November, and they would meet again a month later with everything on the line
Politically incorrect headlines and cringe-worthy captions were all the rage in the 1930s
The Giants swept Washington in a blowout to claim their fourth Eastern Division title in six years.
This was the Giants fourth NFL Championship Game appearance and second that they hosted at the Polo Grounds - although the crowd was a little smaller than expected, as the Washington game the pervious week had been SRO.
The game was rated as even or the Packers as a slight favorite.
This promotional photo of the starters for the title game was taken outside the Polo Grounds under Coogan's Bluff
The Giants won a specatcular game with a gritty effort highlighted by hard hitting and a handful of timely big plays on offense. Both sides left the field battered and exhausted.
Scenes from the NFLCG 12/8/38
Clark Hinkle goes over for a TD to cut the Giants lead to 16-14 in the second quarter.
Identifiable players for the Giants are #22 Ed Danowski, #50 Ed Widseth, #20 Lee Shaffer and #15 Hank Soar.
Note the packed stands in the lower deck, which were augmented by auxillary seating.
The celebration
Behind every successful man there stands a woman...
I'll be back with more next week.
Appreciate it.