Remembering the Sutcliffe Trade & The Conlon Collection

Chris Jaffe at The Hardball Times takes a look back at the 30th Anniversary of the trade that sent former Rookie of the Year winner Rick Sutcliffe to the Indians for a bunch of players who ended up not doing much for us. I think, though, he discounts, too heavily, the impact of Jack Fimple (who came to us as a part of that deal). Jack will always live in Dodger lore. Anyway, here's a snippet of his story.

In return for Sutcliffe, LA got a whole bunch of nothing. Fimple and White both made the majors, but neither ever amounted to anything. Orta had been and would later be a good hitter, but he suffered through the worst year of his career in 1982. He batted .217 in 86 games for the Dodgers that year, his only with the team.

In fact, LA’s return was so meager that the other guy they gave up, Perconte, clearly outclassed the trio of players that came to the Dodgers. Perconte didn’t do too much for the Indians, but in 1984 earned the full-time starting job at second base for the Mariners, and proceeded to hit .294 (albeit with zero homers). He immediately declined after that, but one good season is still more than Fimple, White, and Orta had with the Dodgers.

Ahhh... just another great Dodger trade.

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Everyone must go to this site right now. Rogers Photo Archive has been compiling, researching and digitizing a giant collection (some 8400 images) of vintage photographs from the fabled Baseball photographer Charles M. Conlon. High quality prints are available for purchase, but even if you don't plan on buying anything you should just go there to look around. It's great stuff and a museum in and of itself. Conlon is the preeminent Baseball photographer and pretty much invented the artform. See it here at: The Conlon Collection. Below is a pic of Fred Merkle in Dodger Blue.

(Hat Tip: Sports Collectors Daily)

Hunt Auctions: A Teammates Look at Merkle's Boner

This is a letter written by Fred Snodgrass, a teammate of Fred Merkle, available at auction at Hunt's. If you are not familiar with Merkle's Boner read about it here. As for this letter, below is it in full for your enjoyment.

Dear Van -
I will try to answer a few of your questions, but I don't write well anymore. There was a period in my life when I was in business when I could make a type write hum. But no more. -
Question - Did the Giants have a catcher named Johnson. - Ans: No! Larry McLean 1913-14-15 - Geo. Schlei 1909-10-11 - John Chief Meyers 1909-1915 - Arthur Wilson 1908-13 - Grover Hartley 1911-1913 - and yours truly but no Johnson. -
Q. Were you with Giants all of 1908 - A. Yes, Was 3rd string catcher. -
Q. Do you recall play off game Giants vs. Cubs? - A. Yes - but it is a story - As you know the two teams ended the season on a tie - So we had to replay the game in which Fred Merkle failed to touch second base. He should not have been blamed for loss of pennant for the Giants lost five games after the failure - a double header to Cincy (McG started Marquard and Bull Durham - both lost) and 3 games to Phila (Coveleski won all thru pitching Tuesday - Thurs + Saturday - then we had to win the remaining games from the Braves to tie with Cubs. We players had trouble getting into the Polo Grounds at 10AM on account of the big crowd - later on those fans broke down the left field fence and only a fire hose stopped them. It was a total sell out. 3 fingers Brown was to pitch against Mathewson - and in a club house meeting before the game the Giants felt that if they could get Frank Chance out of the line up - that they could win - so McGrinnity was to meet Chance on foul line and pick a fight - Chance was too smart - would not fight - and it was his hit that won the game and the pennant. Enclosed are samples of the autograph requests I get - average 3 a week. (also Chufs letter).
Regards, Fred C. Snodgrass

(Auction Link)

REA: Merkle's Boner

Here is the Merkle ball I wrote about previously here. As is well known in Baseball lore, this ball symbolizes the most infamous play/blunder in the game, and led to the Chicago Cubs last World Series title in 1908.

Instead of retelling an event that has been written about more times and better that I ever could, just check out the videos in my link above.

Auction Link:

Incredible - The Merkle Ball Will Be For Sale

No way. This is just unbelievable. REA just announced on their blog that they will be auctioning off the original ball used to call Fred Merkle out. Yes, the infamous Merkle play. This event is considered the most controversial play in Baseball and spawned the term "bonehead" as a result. Not only that, if not for "Merkle's Boner" the Chicago Cubs would never have won their last World Series ever in 1908.

Who knew the game ball still existed. Incredible. (I know... I know... Charlie Sheen use to own the ball)

This ball is priceless and will probably be worth hundred of thousands of dollars. I wouldn't be surprised if Keith Olbermann ends up as the winner. He is known as a expert on the infamous event.

Check the videos below for a quick history lesson on this infamous play.

Part 1

YouTube Link:

Part 2

YouTube Link:

Merkle's Boner

In honor of 6-4-2's daily birthday posting please see above my only Fred Merkle baseball card. It is a strip card from circa 1919 and is called W514. It's not the most attractive card or the best conditioned card. Nevertheless, it's a very unusual card.

These cards came in horizontal strips of typically 10 or more players side by side. Fans would cut the cards along dotted lines to make individual cards. Most of the artwork is much like the one above. They are a bit drab and not very good. They seem to never resemble the player at all. Strip cards in general were produced from the 1910's to the 1920's. Over the years these type of cards received very little respect, but has seen a small resurgence in interest over the past several years. From a cost perspective, they are very affordable compared to tobacco or candy issued cards.

Check out 6-4-2's post for historical background of the long forgotten "Merkle Boner."