You might not think there are enough clues in this photo to narrow down the date, but not only do I have the date, I can tell you exactly when this photo was taken.

First, let’s look at the photo again (click to enlarge):

So this is clearly old-style Wrigley Field — no lights, small dugouts, railings between the box seats.

The biggest clue I got is one that I can’t specifically show you. That was in the filename of this photo, which included the year 1953.

That, obviously, narrows things down quite a bit.

The visiting team is wearing red. In 1953 that would have been either the Phillies, Cardinals or Reds. The Cardinals had piping on their jerseys and these don’t, so they’re eliminated. The lettering as shown on the coach’s uniform is larger than the “CINCINNATI” that would have been

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