Original Brooklyn Dodger Portraits by Susan Rini

I knew I recognized these from somewhere.

The other day I ran into these gouache on cardboard paintings at an Clean Sweep auction and couldn't help but think that they looked familiar.  Then it hit me.

These are some of the original drawings for those postcard and cachet sets made in the 1980's to early 1990's.  Collectors especially liked to have them autographed by these old timers - much like the Perez Steele postcards from the same time period.  Check out what a couple of the Rini postcards look like on the right. 

As I dug around a bit I found out they were created by artist Suan Rini as a part of a commission for Historic Limited Editions.  Check out the auction here.  They did not sell.

Featured original paintings include Rex Barney, Joe Black, Ralph Branca, Roger Craig, Carl Erskine, Al Gionfriddo, Gene Hermanski, Spider Jorgensen, Clyde King (2 diff.), Billy Loes, Podres/Throneberry, George Shuba and Chris Van Cuyk. 

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A personal Letter from Gil Hodges

Probably one of my favorite finds when it comes to auctions are personal letters written by old-time Dodgers.  They add a great dimension to player who you only really knew from afar.  It's like having an opportunity to see a little bit of their personality.

Well, Clean Sweep Auctions just closed a recent offering that included this great letter by Gil Hodges, and I thought I would share it here.  It is written to a Mort (I am unsure if this is a fan or a fellow ballplayer) and it includes some Baseball content.  Below is a snippet.  See the auction item here.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your kind letter.  I certainly enjoyed being in Arlington and meeting so many wonderful people.

Good luck in the coming baseball season. I'm pulling for a pennant for you as well as the Dodgers. Win, lose or draw I'm sure the boys will gain a lot about baseball and fair play, just being under your care.

My Best To You and Your Family
Gil Hodges

(Auction Link)

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Geeorge Shuba's 1953 Brooklyn Dodger NL Championship Ring

I love seeing old championship rings like this.  They are subdued and understated, but also majestic in its simplicity.  Although it lacks the shine and glitter of modern rings, I can't help but enjoy these more.  I especially love that the ring above once belonged to former Dodger George Shuba and that it represents the 1953 National Champion Brooklyn Dodgers.

George Shuba, the man that Baseball history seems to have forgotten, played for the Dodgers for 7 season.  His career year was in 1952 when he hit .305 and OPS'd .859, while recording a WAR of 2.1.  That's not too shabby for a part time starter and professional pinch hitter.

The ring featured here is available through Clean Sweep Auctions with a starting bid of $4,000.  Unfortunately, it is not all original.  It was first sold as a part of Shuba's estate in 2006, and the buyer went ahead and had it resized, and upgraded the stones and diamonds.  This is a shame.  I'm sure the new owner thought it would enhance the ring, but to a collector and fan like me I find it sacrilegious.  Why mess around with something already perfect?  After all, I would think that a buyer would be more interested in the history behind the ring and not the value of the stones within it.

(Auction Link)

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CSA: Some Candid Pee Wee Reese Pics

Clean Sweep Auctions is is running their Spring Auction right now and it includes one Dodger memorabilia item that I thought was worth mentioning.

Below, is a group of 4 candid photographs taken by the brilliant Dodger photographer Barney Stein. Apparently, he was out "out & about" with some Dodger players (most notably, Pee Wee Reese). My favorite of the bunch is on the top right. I don't quite know what is going on there, but the sight of Reese on his tippy toes while wearing ice skated and being held up by Walter O'Malley gives me a big smile.

(Auction Link)

I really love the cabinet card below. It dates to 1888 and is marked on the reverse with Omaha and the Western Association in pencil. That means this could possibly be a Omaha Omahogs player. Unfortunately, it is not known if this is an actual professional player, but it might be reasonable to believe it is (as long as the markings on the reverse are accurate). Nevertheless, I think it's a great vintage period photo.

(Auction Link)

CSA: 1890's Dave Foutz Newsboy Cabinet

"His (Dave Foutz) calm demeanor and take-charge attitude inspired confidence among his teammates. And his strong hitting and good fielding and base running contributed to many victories." - Historian Robert L. Tiemann in Nineteenth Century Stars (1989) (From Baseball Almanac)

Nicknamed "scissors" because of his skinny frame, Dave Foutz would be a early Brooklyn hero. He was well liked by the other players and cheered by the fans. In 13 Major League seasons, he played for Brooklyn the last 9 while pitching, batting and playing the field. Soon, Foutz would even became a player manager for 4 season before retiring from the game in 1896.

He was as versatile as they come. Foutz could play the outfield, 1st base and pitch a great game. He even had Base Ball smarts. At the ripe age of 26, Foutz was the player manager for the Bay City, MI Base Ball team of the Northwestern League. It was there he was first noticed by the powerful St. Louis Browns (Cardinals) who immediately sought his services. Unfortunately, they discovered that would have to buy the team to get him, so they did just that.

In 1884 he premiered with St. Louis at the age of 27 and became a star on the mound. Dave Foutz started 25 games, winning 15 and losing only 6, that year. The next season he won 35, and bested that with a career plateau of 41 wins in 1886. Inexplicably, he and Bob Caruthers (St. Louis' other star pitcher) was soon sold to Brooklyn for a sum of $13,500.00- a huge sum at the time.

And there he stayed. From 1888 to 1896 he proudly roamed the Eastern Park ball fields for the the Brooklyn Bridegrooms. Suffering from asthmatic conditions Foutz was forced to retire too soon. Then, his life would be cut short a year later. He died in the place he was born, Waverly, Maryland, at the age of 40 in 1897.

Over his career, Foutz batted .276, while stealing 280 bases, and knocking in 750 runs. As a pitcher he won 147 games against just 66 loses. His career ERA was an impressive 2.84. Foutz lead St. Louis in three straight American Association Championships, and the Dodgers to a AA Championship and National League Championship. As Brooklyn's skipper he had a record of 264-257 in 4 seasons.

I note this former Dodger because of a great vintage 1895 Newsboy Cabinet photo card available at Clean Sweep Auctions. This card measures 4.5" x 6.5" and comprises of a sepia toned photograph mounted on cardboard backing. Newsboy produced over 500 cabinet cards of famous people in the 1890's, and only 14 are known to feature Base Ball players. As the name suggest, these cards would typically be glued or nailed onto a cabinet door for fans to admire. Of note, the clarity of the Dave Foutz photo is amazing. This is a rare opportunity to check out a vintage card of a historic figure in Dodgers history.

(Auction Link)

Hearing From Cool Papa

I love running into vintage letters written by a favorite ballplayer; especially letters written to a eager fan. Often, there are notes about greatest moments or details about a career usually forgotten. Here, we have a great letter from a recently closed Clean Sweep Auction written by Negro Leaguer "Cool Papa" Bell to a fan. It's a fun read and certainly keeps you wanting more. Check it out below.

Mr. John J. Smith

Just a note to say, I cannot answer all of the things you asked me.
1922 I pitch 2 years for the St. Louis Stars and played, played outfield 8 years and the league folded. I played 29 summer season and 21 winter seasons.
Played with many teams owned by the same owner, that's why I cannot explain to you.
No one can tell you is or was the greatest ball player. I have many of thrills in Baseball, If I get in the Hall of Fame I will tell the greatest thrill I had in Baseball.
Sincerely,

James "Cool Papa" Bell

Unfortunately, "Cool Papa" never had the chance to share that greatest thrill moment at the steps of Cooperstown. Check out his letter below.

(click to enlarge)

(Auction Link)

Pee Wee the Polar Bear

This Type 1 International News press photo, available at auction through Clean Sweep, makes me crack up. Just get a load of Pee Wee's shorts. He looks all wrong in that getup. Not only that, he dons this outfit on one of the coldest days in Florida- during Spring Training in 1956. In fact, it's so cold Campy is huddled next to the heater as he wonders "what's up" with Reese.

(Auction Link)