Blog Kiosk: 8/28/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends!

As you surely know by now, Vin Scully has consigned a whole bunch of his personal memorabilia to Hunt Auctions, and frankly it's overwhelming. There's a ton of stuff, and bids are starting to reach lofty heights -- after being open for just a day or two.

I have yet to go through the entire catalog, but so far I think the cream of the crop might be his 1955 World Series ring. That's right folks! His championship ring is on the block and right now it sits at $13,750.00 -- with the possibly it'll reach six figured before it's all said and done. Wow! See the ring on the right. Go here to check out the entire auction, and do a search for Vin Scully

BTW, next week I plan on writing and sharing a bunch of his stuff on this blog, so stay tuned for that. I suspect next week will be Vin Scully week here.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1942 the oft-injured outfielder Pete Reiser enters the hospital with a torn thigh ligament. In 1945 Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson meet to discuss plans for integrating Baseball. During the three hour meeting Rickey berates Robinson with a flurry of racial epithets to test his mettle and willingness to 'turn the other cheek.' Also on this day, 17-year old Brooklyn shortstop Tommy Brown becomes the youngest person to steal home in Major League history. In 1952 the Brooklyn Dodgers set a National League record when they hit into a double play in their 23rd consecutive game. In 2002 Eric Gagne recorded his 45th save of the season, setting a franchise record and earning a bottle of Dom Perignon autographed by his Dodger teammates. 
• Happy Birthday, Ryan Madson, Joe Yeager, Goody Rosen & Darren Lewis!

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: 3/19/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic vintage Acme press photo featuring Jackie Robinson's debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 14, 1947. He is shown both at-bat and covering first base, with a man on. You can check out this pic at Hunt Auctions, here.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Baseball History: In 1998 MLB owners approved the sale of the Dodgers to Rupert Murdoch's Fox Group. Boo!!! In 2018 Justin Turner suffered a major setback during spring training when he suffered a small non-displaced fracture of his left wrist after being hit by a pitch during Cactus League play by Oakland hurler Kendall Graveman. He would not require surgery, but would not return to the field til May 15th.
• Happy Birthday, Ed McKeever, Roy Evans, Paul Powell, Jeff Hamilton, David Ross & Clayton Kershaw!

Blog Kiosk: 1/8/22020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic action photo of Jackie Robinson manning his position at second base (eBay link). Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Chicago Cubs Gene Hermanski lies flat for the slide on a second frame force as Dodgers second sacker Jackie Robinson fires to Gil Hodges at first for a double play, Aug. 25, at Ebbets Field. Bruce Edwards rolled to third sacker Billy Cox who flipped to Robinson for the play. 8/25/51.

Unfortunately, the Dodgers would not prevail in this game. They would lose, 5-1. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 Jackie Robinson is awarded the prestigious Spingarn Medal by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for his strong support of civil rights initiatives. Martin Luther King Jr. was given the honor the prior year. In 2011 tragedy struck. In Tucson, AZ US Rep. Gabby Giffords is shot and severely injured in an assassination attempt during a constituent meeting held in a supermarket parking lot. She would survive, but others did not. Christina-Taylor Green, 9-year old daughter of Dodgers scout John Green (also grand daughter of former ballplayer Dallas Green), is killed -- along with five other folks. Please check out this fantastic story from late-2018 by Katrina Bland at AZ Central -- "Christina-Taylor Green (who had mad baseball skills) is still surprising her parents." 
• Happy Birthday, Breyvic Valera, Chauncey Fisher, Brian Johnson & Derek Thompson!

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!

Brooklyn Dodgers Moyer Pottery Bank at Hunt Auctions

Here's something new to add to my mental database. Featured above is a circa 1940's Brooklyn Dodgers coin bank made by Moyer Pottery that is currently available through Hunt Auctions (auction link). It has an amazing shiny paint gloss on it that is original, and is currently commanding premium value at the auction -- currently sitting at $188.00.

I understand that Moyer Pottery made several similar coin banks featuring subject matters like a bowler, cowboy and football player. This is the first time I've ever seen a Brooklyn Dodger figurine.

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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! 

Dodgers Memorabilia at Hunt's Louisville Slugger Auction

With the World Series in full swing just about every sports-related auction house has something going on to occupy the minds and pocketbooks of Baseball collectors everywhere. So, with today being an off-day I thought I would begin the afternoon by sharing some Dodger treasures found at Hunt's 15th Annual Live Auction at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.

Featured above and to the right is a 1977 Dodgers National League Champions ring that was given out to Chub Feeney. So, who's that? (Auction Link)

Dodgers Memorabilia at Hunt Auctions Available at All-Star FanFest

Once again Hunt Auctions is hosting a live memorabilia auction at the All-Star Game FanFest, and there are some great Dodger goodies to gawk over. Most notable is the below game-used Brooklyn cap with two composite shell plates sewn in as protection that was purportedly worn by Jackie Robinson. (Auction Link)

Last year a similar Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers cap came up for auction at Lelands (link here) that had excellent provenance. That cap came from Jackie's wife, Rachel, and sold for an unbelievable $590,994 -- breaking a record established in 2012 when David Wells paid $537,278 for a Babe Ruth cap.

Writing to a Distraught Fan - O'Malley's Correspondence About Trade Rumors

After what was no doubt the most frustrating year in Dodger history, fans unsurprisingly lashed out following the 1951 Brooklyn Dodger season. They complained at the dinner table, they whined to their neighbors and ultimately they wrote about their deepest concerns to the Dodgers themselves. After all, you must be heard when your team gives up a 13 game cushion to lose the pennant. And to make matters worse, they lost it on the last day of the season.

Featured above is a response to one of those irate letters to the club. It is written and signed by from Walter O'Malley to Dodger fan Robert Gray, and it is current available on auction at Hunt Auctions. In it O'Malley writes:

Dr. Mr. Gray, 

Please do not be disturbed about rumors of a trade in the papers. We have no intention of breaking up our fine team, which we regard as the best in the league, and we will make no deal unless it is a one-sided deal in our favor. 

I do hope that we can give faithful fans like yourself something to cheer about next year.

It's good to know that reporters have always wantonly thrown around baseless trade rumors.

As you know, this was the year Bobby Thompson hit his "shot heard 'round the world" that elevated the Giants over the Dodgers for the pennant. So, I imagine a rabble-rousing press corps in New York took the opportunity that winter to suggest that the Dodgers were ready to cut-bait after such a disappointing season.

Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. the team would instead stay the course and eventually win their only championship in the Brooklyn borough four years later.

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The Ralph Branca Collection at Hunt Auctions

Ralph Branca is a name all Dodger fans know. He had spent much of his professional Baseball career in Brooklyn, having started as an 18-year old teenager in 1944 out of Mount Vernon, NY, and went on to witness some of the most important events in the clubs history. Heck, he was a part of much of it. So, when I first saw this group 42 items from the personal collection of Ralph Branca at Hunt Auctions I had to take note.  Featured here are a handful of items that recently sold through Hunt that I wanted to share.

Branca's last All-Star game appearance was in 1949, and shown above is an presentational box given to all National League All-Stars that year. (Auction Link) This item sold for $1,800.

These next two items are not only adorable, but also extremely unique. Heck, one of a kind.

A Willard Mullin Brooklyn "Bum" Drawing at Hunt Auctions

As I've said many times before, I can't get enough of Willard Mullin's artwork.

Featured here is another one of his original drawings, circa 1950's, featuring the Brooklyn Dodgers "Bum" that is currently available at Hunt Auctions. (auction link)

As you can see, the rather befuddled Dodgers mascot is lamenting the good play of two of his rivals -- the Phildalphia Phillies "Whiz Kids" and the St. Louis Cardinals lead by Stan "The Man" himself. At the same time, he begs for the Braves to finally start winning -- no doubt hoping that the Dodgers will benefit.

Couple Fantastic Oddball Dodger Pieces at Hunt Auctions

Auction season is in full swing. Just about every major sports auction house is hosting a collectors sale and I can barely find the time to post about them all. Have no fear though, I will endeavor to share my favorites over the coming days.

For instance, check out this weird thing I spotted at Hunt's current Internet sports auction.

What the heck is this?

A Vintage Dodgers Lunch Tray

The weirder the better, I always say.

Featured here is something you don't see very often.  Above is a circa 1960's Dodgers cafeteria lunch tray that is currently available for sale through Hunt Auctions (link here).  The exact origins are unknown to the auction house, but I'd be willing to bet these were used by personnel at the stadium. 

Furthermore, it looks very similar to a tray I came across five years ago (and wrote about here).  That tray included head shot of several Dodger players (Johnny Podres, Don Drysdale, Maury Wills, John Roseboro, Willie Davis, Frank Howard, Sandy Koufax, Wally Moon and Duke Snider), as well as, the Dodger logo in the middle. 

I have no idea what that value is for something like this, but I think it would be best served if an autograph collectors to grab this one.  It would look glorious with signatures all around it.

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Blog Kiosk: 11/9/2016 - Dodgers Links - Alvarez, Jansen, Turner and Hendrick

I thought I would start the day by sharing this pic of a group of vintage Ebbets Field postcards that are currently on auction at Hunt's Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory auction (Auction Link Here).  Most of these are the standard fare, with an exception being the B&W real-photo-postcard seen on the bottom row.  According to the auction description it dates to 1927 and features a group of students who play high school football running around the infield in the shape of the letter "S".

Below are more links to check out:

• Video: Watch Dodgers prospect Willie Calhoun speak with Sande Charles of FanRag Sports. (Link Here)

A Vintage Dodgers Wallet at Hunt Auctions

I just didn't have enough dough.

Featured here is a vintage, circa 1950's, children's wallet featuring the Baseball and the Dodgers. (Auction Link)  It had recently sold during Hunt Auctions recent internet-only offering, and I was an active bidder - that is until the values jumped far higher than I imagined. 

As you can see, it showcases the facsimile autographs of Roy Campanella, Carl Furillo, Gil Hodges, Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider, Don Newcombe, and Gene Hermanski.  For whatever reason Jackie Robinson is missing.

The auction closed Wednesday evening at $268.

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Questionnaires from 1945 Filled out by Walter Alston and Pee Wee Reese

A couple weeks back I highlighted a questionnaire filled out by Steve Garvey in 1970 (Link Here) for legendary Baseball biographer/statistician William J. Weiss.  Since the 1940's Weiss had been in contact with just about every professional ballplayer in the game, and used the information he gathered to put together sketchbooks filled with data on both minor and major league ballplayers.  Along with the Garvey I previously highlighted, Hunt Auction also has completed questionnaires from the Weiss collection of a couple other Dodgers players: Walter Alston and Pee Wee Reese.  Check those out in this post.

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Featured on the right is the questionnaire filled out by Dodgers Hall of Fame manager Walter Alston in February 1945 (Auction Link Here).  Click on the pic to embiggen.

At the time, Alston had just become a player-manager the season prior for the Trenton Packers - a minor league affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers.  Although he would still play on the field for a few more years it would become obvious that his future role in the game would be as the skipper.  In the questionnaire above he recounts an interesting Baseball experience with Branch Rickey related to his second year of professional ball in 1936 and as a rookie player-manager four years later.  He writes: 

Some Dodgers Memorabilia at Hunt's All Star Game Auction - Koufax, Campy and Gwynn

Last week I featured a questionnaire filled out by Dodgers legend Steve Garvey when he was just a rookie in 1970 (link here).  Today, I take a look at several other Dodger collectibles available at Hunt's All-Star Game FanFest auction.

Featured above is a rarity.  It is a Sandy Koufax home jersey that dates to 1966.  (Auction Link Here)  Per the auction description:

The jersey was acquired by a former MLB executive in 1973 (who lived in the Los Angeles area at the time) and has remained within his collection until the current offering. Additionally, the executive was a good acquaintance with long time Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Buzzie Bavasi. In 1975, Bavasi became aware of the offered Koufax jersey within the collection of the consignor and in jest sent the executive a charming and satirical official MLB typed communique. The note was hand signed by Buzzie and dated July 31, 1975 teasing him that he "owed" Buzzie a check for $56.00 payable to him for the "stolen" uniform.

Garvey Questionnaire from Legendary Baseball Statistician Bill Weiss

For much of the modern era of Baseball William J. Weiss was there to catalog it.  Starting in the late-40's he compiled statistics and biographical information for ballplayers on the West Coast.  Soon he started working for various leagues; like the PCL, Pioneer League, Northwest League and the American Association.  He even became the official historian of the PCL and edited a weekly newsletter for the California League for over thirty years.  In an over four decade span Weiss produced over 200 sketchbooks filled with data on both minor and major league ballplayers.  Without his diligent work we might not have the wealth of information we have today.

Featured above is an example of how he gathered up that data.  It is a basic biographical questionnaire, and it was filled out by Dodgers rookie Steven Patrick Garvey in 1970.  (Click on the pic above to embiggen)  It is currently available on auction through Hunt as a part of the All-Star Game Weekend celebration in San Diego.  Check out the auction listing here.

Notably, the survey asks, "what would you consider your greatest thrill in Baseball?"

Steve Garvey wrote back, "Starting Opening Game Dodger Stadium April 7th, 1970."

This questionnaire was completed about a month after his starting at third base on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium, so it was no doubt still fresh in his mind.  BTW, the Dodgers were defeated that day by the Cincinnati Reds, 4-0.  Steve Garvey went 0 for 4 with one strike out while batting in the sixth spot of the order.

If you're interested in learning more about Bill Weiss check out this great writeup at SABR (Link Here).

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A Look at some Vintage Brooklyn Dodgers China

Given how often these pop up at various auctions throughout a year, I thought I would take a moment to briefly write about them here.  Featured is a vintage set of 1952 Brooklyn Dodgers National League Champions china that includes a plate, cup and saucer.  The exact set shown in the pic above is currently available at Hunt Auctions (Auction Link Here).

These were originally given to players, coaches, Dodgers employees and even the press in appreciation for the work done that past season.  In 1952 the Dodgers won the pennant by 4.5 games over the Giants, but lost the World Series to the Yankees that Fall.

The china includes a spiffy looking pennant logo emblazoned on front, and a Delano Studios mark and formal thank you from the Dodgers on its reverse.  It says: