A Collection of Claude Osteen Items at Lelands Auctions

As previously promised, here is a quick peek at some of the items from the Claude Osteen collection currently available at Lelands Auctions.

Claude Osteen was a workhorse of an starting pitcher for the Dodgers from 1965 to 1973.  In that span he recorded 147 wins against 126 losses, a 3.09 ERA, 100 complete games, 34 shutouts, a 3.15 FIP and a WHIP of 1.217.  In other words, he provided some needed innings and ace workmanship after the Dodgers struggled to compete following the retirement of Sandy Koufax in 1966.

Original Nicholas Volpe Drawing of Claude Osteen

As a lad I remember sitting in the car with my folks and making note of every Union 76 station.  When one came into view I'd yelp out, "do we need gas?  Let's get some gas."  I'm sure I got to be quite annoying, but a young Dodger fan has got to do what he's got to do.  After all, I needed that new Dodger giveaway to add to my growing collection. 

As you know, the 80's (the principal time of my youth) was filled with Dodger memorabilia from that gas station.  They offered a series of pins during the later half of the decade and a highly attractive player portrait set created by noted artist Nicholas Volpe.  (You can see scans of my complete 1982 Volpe Dodgers Portrait set here.)

As I got older I found out that Volpe created similar sets for the Dodgers in the 60's, so I naturally sought them out too.  One of those portraits, from 1969, is the subject of this post.  Featured above is an original drawing by Nicholas Volpe of former Dodger pitcher Claude Osteen from the 1969 set, and it is currently available for sale on eBay. (eBay Auction Link) 

The drawing measures 10"x13" (slightly larger than the portraits given away by Union 76) and comes directly from the personal collection of Claude Osteen.  Strikingly, this years set includes a splash of purplish pastel hues in the background -- the kind of flare missing from his drawing produced in the 80's.  I have no idea if the $550 asking price is reasonable, but I do know that original drawings by Volpe from these sets do not come around very often.

Below are scans of the Osteen portrait given out in 1969 by Union 76.  You can go here to see scans of the entire set.

 Claude Osteen

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Blog Kiosk: 12/6/2016 - Dodgers Links - Roberts on Puig, Kershaw, and Logo Creep

Clayton Kershaw made his way to the 2016 Winter Meetings in Maryland yesterday to help usher in a new era in on-field Baseball uniforms.  As you may know, it was announced that Under Armour will be the game’s official uniform outfitter starting in 2020 - taking over for Majestic.  To help introduce the brand to the Baseball public was Kershaw, along with Francisco Lindor on his right and Brian Dozier on his left.

One item of note that I thought worth mentioning (originally noted by Paul Lukas at UniWatch) is the inclusion of a brand makers-mark (logo) on the front upper-right chest area of the new uniforms - a first for the league.  In the past, the Majestic makers-mark was seen on the sleeve.  Now, it'll be front and center.  Slowly but surely logo adverts on uniforms will become the norm.  Ugh....

You should definitely take a look at Paul's post at UniWatch.  He shares some photoshopped pics that shows what the logo-creep will look like.  It's a little unsettling (as the Baseball purest I often am), but I imagine most folks won't think anything of it.

Photograph at the very top via David Vassegh on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1973 the Dodgers traded Claude Osteen to the Astros for Jim Wynn.  In 2006 the Dodgers signed free agent pitcher Jason Schmidt.  In 2007 signed free agent outfielder Andruw Jones.  Wow!  This is a bad day to sign free agents, eh?
• Happy Birthday, Tommy Brown & Dodgers broadcaster Joe Davis!

Blog Kiosk: 8/9/2016 - Dodgers Links - Topps Unveils 2017 Baseball Card with Clayton Kershaw

Topps provided a nice surprise for collectors this morning.  Featured in the pic above is Topps' design for their 2017 Baseball card set.  Best yet, they use a pic of Clayton Kershaw to show us the design.  It was tweeted out this morning by Topps.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1975 Davey Lopes stole his 32nd consecutive base without being caught.  This broke a record set in 1922 by Hall of Fame Pirate outfielder Max Carey.  In 1976 the Dodgers are no-hit by Pirates hurler John Candelaria in Pittsburgh.
• Happy Birthday, Claude Osteen and Drew Butera!

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Osteen, Burright, Hines, Scioscia, Valenzuela and Julio Cesar Chavez

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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This event happens tomorrow, so if you're interest I suggest getting a hold of the organizers right away.  Go here for information.

Art of the Game, those folks with the memorabilia kiosk at Dodger Stadium, is hosting an evening talk with Fernando Valenzuela and Mike Scioscia.  It should be an interesting night.

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Three old time Dodgers will be at El Tepeyac Cafe in the City of Industry on Saturday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.  Go here for information. 

El Tepeyac Cafe
13131 Crossroads
City of Industry, California 91746

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Fernando Valenzuela and Julio Cesar Chavez will usher in the opening of a brand new WSS Shoes store in Los Angeles on Sunday.  The festivities begin at 10:00 AM.  I am uncertain how long they will be there to sign with fans.  Needless to say, you should probably be there early.  Go here for more information.

WSS Shoes
2711 E. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90023
(310) 715-9300

Hat Tip: Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy

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The 1969 Union Oil Dodgers Portraits Set - A Recent Purchase for My Collection

Several weeks ago, I hinted at a recent purchase for my collection that had me very excited.  For several years now, I've been on the hunt for complete sets of those Union Oil Dodgers' portraits made in the 1960's.  There are three different one's (1962, 1964 & 1969), and they can be difficult to find.  I've missed the mark on numerous occasions, but finally won a set that is both colorful and gorgeous. Check out my 1969 Union Dodgers Premium Pictures set featuring drawings by Nicholas Volpe.

As I'm sure you know, Volpe has a long history with the Dodgers.  From the early 60's to the early 80's, he created player portraits for the Dodgers that were given away by Union Oil.  This particular set was given away to fans at select weekday night games at Dodger Stadium.  So, this was a very early Stadium Give Away (SGA).  These evenings were billed as "Player Portrait Night".

The cards are a little thinner than a Baseball card (but still sturdy) and measure 8 1/2" x 11".  Only 13 pictures are in the set, and it does not include several key players from the season; like Maury Wills, Manny Mota and Ted Sizemore.

I have scanned the front and reverse of each portrait.  As you can see below, the backs have a player biography, stats, the Dodger home schedule and information about the artist.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

Below are the remaining 12 Dodgers' portrait photos in the set.

Walter Alston

 Jim Brewer

Willie Davis

 Ron Fairly

 Tom Haller

 Jim Lefebvre

 Claude Osteen

 Wes Parker

 Paul Popovich

 Bill Singer

 Bill Sudakis

 Don Sutton

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Blog Kiosk: 7/20/2013 - Dodgers Link - Claude Osteen, Tommy Davis and Don Newcombe

Puig just impacts every game he plays in.  Gif above via Dodgers tumblr.

• Via Bob Lemke, "Thompson, Newcombe made history July 8, 1949".

I wonder if the 34,468 fans at Ebbets Field on July 8, 1949, had any idea they were witnessing baseball history when Henry Thompson of the New York Giants stepped to the plate to lead off the top of the first inning.

On the mound for the Brooklyn Dodger was Don Newcombe. It was the first time that a black batter had faced a black pitcher in a regular major league game.

• Claude Osteen: Dodgers’ Valuable Third Wheel," Via Paul Swydan at FanGraphs.

Everyone remembers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. The duo pitched 11 years together in Brooklyn and in Los Angeles. Together, the pair  helped the Dodgers reach the Fall Classic five times, three of which their team won. But there’s a good chance  they wouldn’t have won their third and World Series title without the help of their third wheel, Claude Osteen.

• "Rancho Cucamonga honors ex-Dodgers star Tommy Davis, " via Neil Nisperos at the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.

"I came out here in 1981 and it was because of my sister-in-law, my wife's sister, she was staying out here and we kind of fell in love with it ... We've been out here ever since and we really love it out here. We've met some nice people and have some great neighbors, and I wouldn't have it any other way." 

• Ethier heating up?  "Ethier strikes again in familiar scenario, "  via Mark Simon at ESPN.
• "Kemp faces live pitching, eyes Sunday return," via Andrew Simon at MLB.com.

"I don't know. We'll see when I start playing," Kemp said. "It's hard to tell. Practice is totally different from the game. But I feel good."

Kemp has hit .254 with a .666 OPS in 61 games this season, and now is trying to bounce back from an injury for the second time.

"It is what it is. You've got to deal with it," he said. "When you do come back, try to not get hurt. Just dealing with it. It can be frustrating at times, but it is what it is. Injuries are part of the game."

• BTW, Kemp batted against Lilly in a simulated gate earlier today and did well.  Via a tweet from David Vassegh.

Kemp hit 2 bombs off Lilly in 17 pitches.  He is now out of cage and Lilly continues to pitch
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) July 20, 2013

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