Blog Kiosk: 4/17/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's another vintage photo of Babe Ruth as a Dodger coach, circa 1938. (eBay auction link) Unfortunately, it is unmarked on the reverse, so we don't know where the pic comes from.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1934 Casey Stengel made his managerial debut as the Dodgers skipper as Brooklyn defeated the Boston Braves, 8-7. In 1947 Jackie Robinson recorded his first major league hit -- a bunt single down the third base line off of Boston Braves hurler Glenn Elliott. In 1955 Roberto Clemente, who started out as a Dodger prospect, singles off of Dodger pitcher Johnny Podres for his first major league hit. In 1956 future Hall of Famer Don Drysdale pitched in his very first game. He threw one inning of hitless relief in the ninth inning of a losing game. In 1994 the Dodgers belted 19 runs against the hapless Pirates to tie a club record for most runs in a game. In 2013 Clayton Kershaw struck out his 1,000th batter of his career -- the victim was Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso.
• Happy Birthday, Ad Yale, Jake Daubert, Stan Andrews, Marquis Grissom & Gary Bennett!

Vintage Dodger Photos on Auction -- Koufax, Ebbets and Ruth... Oh, My!

Even with the national shutdown in effect numerous auction houses continue to operate 'business as usual' -- which should come as no surprise. Items have already been cataloged, so why not have collectors do some bidding. Whether that's wise, considering a potential downturn in values, only time will tell. Thankfully, none of that really matters to us since we can use these auctions as a little respite to change-up the day.

Right now there are two auction houses I wanted to focus on here -- Love of the Game and Hunt Auctions. Both of these companies have some fantastic vintage photographs I wanted to point out to you.

For instance, check out the above Sandy Koufax photo.

How often do you see an action photo of Sandy taking a mighty swing? It was taken by noted photographer Bud Gray and is available through Love of the Game Auctions (Auction Link). Bud had began his career as a photographer for the Navy during WWII, then as a photojournalist for the Herald Examiner and UPI, and a still photographer for Universal.

To the right is another Sandy Koufax photograph. (Auction Link) This time he is photographed during his very first no-hitter, dated June 30, 1962. On this day he struck out 13 hapless Metropolitan batters.

Blog Kiosk: 1/22/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

I know I've shared this photo before, but it's so great it's worth another look. This vintage 8/16/1938 ACME press photo is available at RMY Auctions. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Dodgers' Quartette Eludes the Heat with Song -- New York City -- Despite the broiling sun, this Brooklyn Dodgers' quartette burst into song and fogot about the heat as they relaxed at the Polo Grounds, August 16th, where the Dodgers beat the Giants, 7-3. Left to Right: Tuck Stainback, Buddy Hassett, Kiki Cuyler and Babe Ruth.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1988 seven ballplayers are declared free agents as a result of an Players Association's 1985 collusion lawsuit against the owners. Kirk Gibson is one of those players, and this event would eventually lead to him signing with the Dodgers seven days later. The rest, as they say, is history. In 2007 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Pedro Báez as a 19-year old third baseman out of the Dominican Republic. He would eventually convert to a relief pitcher in 2013.
• Happy Birthday, Jay Hughes, Jeff Treadway, Chone Figgins, Wayne Kirby & Carlos Ruiz!

Check Out Some Vintage Brooklyn Dodgers Memorabilia at Lelands

Now this is the kind of memorabilia I like to see.

Currently, Lelands auction house is running their 2019 Fall Classic auction and there's a bunch of Brooklyn stuff in it. There's vintage porcelain, clothing, jewelry, advertising art and spring training collectibles. The best piece of all, though can be seen above.

Featured at the very top is a game-used Baseball (Auction Link) from Game 1 of the 1916 World Series between the Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) and the Boston Red Sox -- a team headed by then star pitcher Babe Ruth. Best yet, the ball comes directly from the personal collection of Ruth teammate Dick Hoblitzell. Per the auction description:

Blog Kiosk: 12/3/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

You know, a photo of Babe Ruth in a Dodgers uniform must always be shared. Featured above is a 1938 vintage photograph of Dodgers first base coach Babe Ruth that is currently available through Hunt Auctions (link here).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2007 Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley is elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the veterans committee. In 1991 the Dodgers signed free agent knuckleball pitcher Tom Candiotti to a four-year $15,500,000 contract. He would eventually spend six years in Dodger Blue, recording a 52-64 record with an 3.57 ERA, 3.84 FIP and a 14.6 WAR. 
• Happy Birthday, Cozy Dolan, Bill Harris, José Peña, Mark Bradley, Eric Hull & JT Chargois!

Blog Kiosk: 7/29/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out some celebrating Dodgers' following their pennant clinching victory over the Phillies on September 23, 1952 (eBay auction link). Can you name them all?

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1983 Steve Garvey's consecutive-game streak ends at 1,207 when he dislocates his left thumb in a home-plate collision with Braves pitcher Pascual Pérez. The injury keeps him from playing the second game of the doubleheader. In 1996 Tommy Lasorda announced his retirement as manager of the Dodgers, following a heart attack and an angioplasty procedure a month prior. Bill Russell is named as his replacement.
• Happy Birthday, Ed Greer, Chief Meyers, George Cutshaw, Dutch Stryker, Luther Roy, Roy Henshaw, Gary Thomasson & Chad Billingsley!

Blog Kiosk: 5/23/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Today is Brooklyn Hall of Famer Zack Wheat's 131st birthday, so in celebration I thought I would put up the above Charles Conlon photograph of Wheat from 1925. The photograph can be found in the book "Baseball's Golden Age: The Photographs of Charles M. Conlon, 1993" and the above copy was sold at MEARS in 2011 for $65. It is a Type II photograph -- meaning it's a modern photograph from the original glass plate negative.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1944 the Dodgers and Giants play the first night time game in metro New York since 1941 at the Polo Grounds due to the easing of wartime restrictions. Brooklyn defeated Bill Voiselle and the Giants, 3-2. In 1981 Ron Cey hit his 200th career home run. It was against the Reds in Cincinnati. In 2002 Shawn Green hit four home runs in one game against the Brewers in Milwaukee, and set a major league record for total bases at 19. Overall, Green went 6-for-6 with a single, double, six runs scored and seven RBI's. Watch highlights of his day here.
• Happy Birthday, Zack Wheat, Augie Galan, Clyde King & Ramon Ortiz!

Blog Kiosk: 3/11/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Baseball was played at Dodger Stadium this weekend as a part of the College Baseball Classic. In Sunday's prime match-up between the Bruins and Trojans, UCLA came out on top by rallying from a four run deficit to defeat the USC, 7-5.

Photo above via UCLA on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1953 the Dodgers play their first Spring Training game at Holman Stadium at Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida -- defeating the A's, 4-2. In 1972 Dodger Hall of Famer Zack Wheat died at the age of 83. He slashed a lifetime .317/.367/.450/.817 with 2,884 hits and 1,248 RBI's, and still holds many Dodger records. He currently leads the franchise in hits (2,804), total bases (4,003), singles (2,038), doubles (464) and triples (171).
• Happy Birthday, Bill Pounds, Joe Dunn, Bobby Abreu, Rich Hill & Pedro Baez.

Blog Kiosk: 12/14/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fun 1943 International Press photo featuring Dodger first baseman Dolf Camilli on the set of the movie Whistling in Brooklyn (eBay auction link). Per the descriptor o the reverse:

MAKING DOLF PURTY FOR THE MOVIES.  New York...Dolf Camilli, Brooklyn first baseman, has some makeup applied as he works out with the Dodgers.  He was photographed by a movie camera for a part in a new Red Skelton movie."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1954 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Sandy Koufax to a contract - a $6,000 salary and $14,000 bonus. This made Sandy a "bonus baby" (having a bonus over $4,000) and required the Dodgers to keep him on the Major League roster for two years. As a result, the Dodgers would option Tommy Lasorda to the Montreal Royals. In 1990 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Brett Butler to a four-year $13 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Deacon Van Buren, John Anderson, Charlie Hargreaves, Chris Heisey & Bill Buckner! 

Babe at the World's Fair Parade -- Just Prior to Becoming a Dodger Coach

I thought this would be a fun photo to share today. Featured above is a 1938 Underwood & Underwood press photo of the soon-to-be Dodger coach Babe Ruth that will soon be available through Memory Lane. He stands aboard a motorcade parade float promoting the New York World's Fair that will open the following year. (Auction Link)

Blog Kiosk: 7/3/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Over the weekend a new Major League record was set when the league collectively hit 1,101 home runs to set a new record for homers during a month. Naturally, Topps released a new 2017 Topps Now card to celebrate the occasion, and it includes rookie slugger Cody Bellinger on the front of the card. Check it out above. Unfortunately, the card is already sold out -- 1,247 cards were made. Check out the reverse of the card on the right.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1925 Robins (Dodgers) second baseman Milt Stock recorded his fourth consecutive four-hit game -- setting an NL mark. In 1958 the Dodgers, in their 35th home game ever in Los Angeles, reached the one million attendance mark.  At Ebbets Field they drew 1,028,258 fans total all season the year prior. In 1974 Dodgers reliever Dr. Mike Marshall appeared in his 13th consecutive game, setting a major league record.  The streak also ended on this day when he didn't make an appearance during the second game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds. In 1991 the Dodgers traded José González for outfielder Mitch Webster. In 1993 Don Drysdale died of a heart attack in Montreal after broadcasting the Dodgers’ game against the Expos. In 2013 Yasiel Puig becomes the first player to be named Player of the Month for the first month he plays in the major leagues in the 55-year history of the award. 
• Happy Birthday, Cliff Curtis, Jack Dalton, Luke Hamlin, Art Fowler, Howie Schultz, Ed Roebuck, Danny Heep, Juan Rivera & Edinson Volquez!

Vintage Dodger Photos at Heritage Auctions

Heritage is closing up their vintage Sports Photography Auction this weekend, but before that happens I wanted to point out a couple of unique photos.

Check out those legs.

Featured is a May 5,1938 ACME press photo that doesn't provide the typical perspective we expect when thinking of a sports photo. Instead, what we see are the legs of Brooklyn Dodger first base coach Babe Ruth. (auction link) Best yet, the descriptor on the reverse is worth checking out:

Blog Kiosk: 3/21/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

I've been a bit derelict in my duties on this blog due to a cold that just won't go away.  It sucks and I'm hoping that spending some time in the office doing some work and putting up this blog will ease my ills.  Considering this I decided to track down a vintage pic related to a cold and the Dodgers and came up with the above photograph of Babe Ruth.  Although his scenario is far more pressing then my illness I decided it was worth putting up.

Featured above is a circa 1938 press photo (as found on eBay) featuring Dodgers coach Babe Ruth taking a brief leave from the team to attend to his ailing daughter, Julia.  Per John McMurray at SABR:

George Herman (Babe) Ruth, rushed by motor cycle escort from Ebbets Field, where he had been coaching the Brooklyn Dodgers, gave his 22-year-old adopted daughter, Julia, 500 cubic centimeters of his blood in a transfusion at 6 o’clock last night at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, 210 East Sixty-fourth [sic] Street. After the transfusion, Ruth rested for an hour and then drove his wife, Mrs. Claire Ruth, home. Fifty youngsters from the neighborhood of the hospital met him at its doors as he left, asking for his autograph. He told them he was forced to refuse because his right arm felt weakened.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1966 the Dodgers and Astros are the first Major League teams to play on artificial grass when they play a spring training game at the Astrodome.
• Happy Birthday, Mysterious Walker, Bill Lamar, Jim Hughes, Tommy Davis & Carlos Monasterios!

Blog Kiosk: 1/13/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

He's officially a Dodger now.

Featured above is a vintage International News press photograph showing the Dodgers manager helping newly signed Dodgers coach, Babe Ruth, into his uniform for the very first time.  (RMY Auction Listing) Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Into Uniform Once More... But Only To Coach:  Manager Burleigh Grimes of the Brooklyn Dodgers helps the one-time King of Swat to don his uniform.  Just before the Brooklyn team took to the field to engage in a double-header against the Chicago Cubs.  A few minutes later, the Bambino received a tremendous ovation from 25,000 fans when he made his debut as a Dodger coach.  The beloved ex-home run king spent an hour posing for the movies before the game, signing autographs and hitting fungoes to the outfield.  To top things off Ruth took a turn at bat and drove one of Grimes offerings out of the lot (dated 6/19/1938)

The Dodgers were no-hit by Reds hurler Johnny Vander Meer on June 15, 1938 -- the second of his two consecutive no-hitters that season.  Then the following day Ruth met with the team and officially signed a contract to be a coach for Brooklyn.  He would debut in the uniform on the 19th at Ebbets Field.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1988 Steve Garvey announced his retirement from the game of Baseball.
• Happy Birthday, Jimmy Jordan & Elmer Dessens!
  

Blog Kiosk: 9/13/2016 - Dodgers Links - Potential Puig Trade Revealed and Dodger Fans Rule Yankee Stadium

What the...?

Never in my life could I ever have expected a crowd of Dodger fans to out-root, out-cheer and simply overcome the hometown crowd at Yankee Stadium.  As you may have heard, a group of over 1,300 loud Dodger fans, a contingent that came along with Dodgers fan group Pantone 294, overwhelmed Yamkee fans in their own home.  Heck, they even performed their own "roll call" of Dodger players on the field (watch the NY commentators discuss it here).  Billy Witz at the NY Times has a good rundown on the spectacle:

The longest-tenured Yankee, left fielder Brett Gardner, who was well within earshot of the Dodgers fans, said in reference to the crowd: “Even the Red Sox, they don’t have maybe as big a following or aren’t as rowdy. It’s a little bit different, but I thought it was a good atmosphere. If we’re going to play well down the stretch and get back into the postseason like we aspire to do, we’re going to have to play well in that atmosphere, whether it’s at the Stadium or on the road.”

Best yet, the folks at Pantone 294 brought some luck to the Blue Crew.  The Dodgers hammered out an impressive 8-2 victory behind an fantastic second career start by Jose De Leon.  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“It was electric and everything I expected,” De Leon said of his Yankee Stadium debut. “I was a little more nervous than I was in L.A. Since I grew up a Red Sox fan, I really wanted to beat the Yankees, so it was a good one."

Photo above via @MLB on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1925 Dodger starter Dazzy Vance ho-hit the Phillies at Ebbets Field, 10-1. Check out the boxscore here.  In 1977 Dodger outfielder Dusty Baker set a franchise record by driving in five runs in one inning.  It was against the Padres at Dodger Stadium. 
• Happy Birthday, Dutch Ruether and Rick Dempsey!

Charles M. Conlon Collection of Vintage Photo Negatives to Close this Weekend

Of all the auction listings I've seen over the years I can fairly say that this lot ranks as one of the best to ever become available.  Featured at Heritage Auctions (Auction Link Here) is the finest collection of vintage Baseball photographs (actually original glass plate negatives) to ever hit the market.  In fact, it is a treasure trove of Baseball history that is unmatched, and it would be a shame if it did not end up in the hands of an civic institution or museum.

Blog Kiosk: 8/4/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

That was truly forgettable.  Last nights game was a laugher, and unfortunately it was the fans in Blue who went to bed unhappy.

Maybe it was the Coors Field air, or the general lack of experience the Dodgers threw on the mound that did us in.  After all, it's hard to expect the best when we basically put in a couple young (and still learning arms) to pitch to a suddenly red-hot Rockies club in Colorado.  They had to know the balls would be jumping out of the park, and probably hoped we'd do similar damage to the opposition.  That came to pass, though.  Per Ken Gurnick and Thomas Harding at MLB.com:

"Those guys the last couple of days threw the ball well," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said about Colorado's starting pitchers. "You've got to tip your hat to Jon Gray yesterday and this kid today, they threw well and kept us at bay."

And our starting pitcher, Brock Stewart, couldn't figure out how to pitch in the high altitude.

"Before the game in the bullpen, everything was working, and I got in the game and everything stayed flat," said Stewart. "Just an off night, for sure."

That's an understatement.  The Dodgers got walloped by the Rockies, 12-2.  They remain just two games behind the Giants in the division race and continue to hold a two game lead in the wild-card race.  Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1941 Brooklyn Dodger Mickey Owens becomes the first catcher to record three foul popups in one frame.  In 1948 Ernie Harwell, a Hall of Fame broadcaster for mostly the Tigers, called his first Major League game.  He briefly took over for a sick Red Barber in Brooklyn's broadcast booth.

Vintage Photos of a Pete Reiser Beaning and Babe Ruth as a Coach at RMY Auctions

RMY currently has their June Collectors Auction available online and it includes a couple fantastic vintage press photos featuring the Dodgers.

Featured above is an ailing Pete Reiser being stretchered off the field by his teammates after being hit in the head by Phillies starting pitcher Ike Pearson at Ebbets Field.  (Auction Link Here)  It happened during the third inning of a game on April 23, 1941.

As you know, Reiser was famous for playing the game on the reckless side of things.  He would constantly crash onto the outfield walls to chase a fly and would seemingly refuse to duck away on pitches high and tight.  This kind of play by Pete resulted in numerous concussions and trips to the hospital.

Blog Kiosk: 4/10/2015 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic Wide World press photo, dated June 22, 1956, that I ran into on eBay.  It features Roy Campanella and Don Zimmer posing for the camera after both had a big day at the plate.  The caption attached to the reverse is below:

"REDBIRDS WERE THEIR TARGET.  Slump-ridden Roy Campanella, left, and shortstop Don Zimmer whoop it up in the dressing room June 21 after their work at bat brought a 9-8 win to the Dodgers over the St. Louis Cardinals in night game at Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, N.Y., Campy drove in six runs with a pair of homers, the second one with two aboard in ninth to tie up the game.  Zimmer's third hit of the night after he replaced injured Pee Wee Reese drove in the winning run."

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Fifth-starter candidates Baker, Huff work in Minors."  With Ryu on the DL the Dodgers will need a spot starter next week.
• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "De Leon near perfect as Quakes take season opener."
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "With Adrian on HR tear, Green reflects on day he hit four."

"That day, and that week, I had a very calm sense of being in the zone," Green said. "As opposed to other times, when you're in the zone and you almost start pressing because you don't want to waste that great feeling you have. When that happens, in some ways you feel more pressure when you're in that zone. But for that week, I was just very relaxed. Everything slowed down. All the clichés."

• Jim Callis at MLB.com, "Where the Dodgers' top 30 prospects are starting the season."
• Via Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest, "Dodgers’ prospect Jharel Cotton out 2-3 months with broken wrist."
• Just for posterity, here's a look at the Opening Series Playbill given to fans attending the recent Padres series, via @DodgerInsider on twitter.  Check it out on the right.
• Via Michael McKnight and L. Jon Wertheim at Sports Illustrated, "The tragic extent of Monique and Milton Bradley's violent relationship."  This is both harrowing and disturbing.
• Here is a large GIF collection of Babe Ruth playing Baseball. 
• Fascinating stuff.  Via Peter Morris and Stefan Fatsis at Slate.com, "Baseball’s Secret Pioneer."  They tell us all about a ballplayer from the late 19th century who appears to be the first black player in major league history.

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More Babe Ruth as a Dodger Memorabilia at Heritage Auctions

Oh, how I would have loved to meet Babe Ruth!  What a pleasure that would be.

I can imagine it now.  I'm riding the rail car in downtown Los Angeles on a lazy summer afternoon when I look down at my transit pass to see the "Sultan of Swat" gracing Dodger Blue.

I think to myself, "what is this about? Holy moly, the Bambino is coming here?" 

The dreary expressionless face I typically wear on hot days like this would instantly transform into the kind of smile seen on children as they scamper about with no worries at all.  Joy and pure elation would be the feeling.  Man alive, what I would do to be able to experience that.

Featured above is a 1947 Los Angeles Transit Lines Weekly Pass good for August 24th through August 30th, and as you can see it advertises a once in a lifetime event.  The ticket offers all who can attend a chance to "Meet the Babe at the American Legion Little World Series - Gilmore Field - Aug. 28-31."  I am there.  I am so there.

The ticket is paired with another Babe Ruth as a Dodger collectible that you can see below.  You can also see the auction here at Heritage Auctions.  It is just a preview.  The actual auction begins April 24th.

The 1938 scorecard below is from a summer exhibition game between the 1938 Dodgers, with Babe Ruth as a coach, and a group of semi-professional Baseball All-Stars from Indiana.  Click on any pic to embiggen.  There are descriptions of the players involved.

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