A Look Back at a Simpler Time for Sports

Was there a time when professional sports were simpler, when they had a primal quality that is missing today? Were the players purer athletes; not faster, perhaps, but somehow uncorrupted by the big bucks. Did the games have a fierceness that has given way to merchandising gimmicks and designer uniforms?

In an exhibit of photographs at L.A. Art/The Sports Gallery, the answer to these questions is yes. The black and white pictures were taken between 1950 and 1965, and several evoke a time of classicism when players did not need their names on their backs; numbers were enough.

The 26 works are part of a massive collection belonging to Robert Riger, a photographer and television producer who has worked for Sports Illustrated, ABC Sports and, currently, ESPN’s “Sports Look” show. While on assignments, Riger (pronounced Reeger) has also shot for himself.

He has decided to issue limited editions of some of his photos, and the show at the Sherman Oaks gallery represents the first works to be offered for sale. Shan Weaver, gallery art director, said Riger has at least 80,000 pictures and has only begun to sort through the collection.

That fact is evident in the exhibit, which has a thrown-together quality. Some of the pictures are stunning. The best might be a 1956 tableau of Baltimore Colts’ quarterback Johnny Unitas in action.

Another excellent photo is of the Giants’ Willie Mays, a bundle of power, stealing third against the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field in 1955.

But other pictures say much less. A shot of Mickey Mantle homering shows only the backs of Mantle, the catcher and the umpire.

No doubt Riger, who lives in Glendale, has better photos than these few clinkers and will exhibit them eventually. Weaver said the gallery plans to stage periodic shows of his works and assist Riger in issuing the editions, which will be limited to eight to 10 prints. Prices range from $200 to $1,500.

Photos by Robert Riger; L.A. Art/The Sports Gallery; 14510 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks; hours 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Free. For more information: (818) 789-0601.