Blog Kiosk: 4/9/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Ken Burns and Ross Stripling

It's the Brady Bunch!

Featured above is most of the cast of the classic television sticom at Dodger Stadium for Hollywood Stars Night in 1973.  Originally taken by Globe Photos, it is currently on auction at eBay through Hyee.

Below are more links to check out:

• There isn't much more that I can say that hasn't already been said about last night's game.  Suffice to say, sometimes the right decision doesn't lead to a win.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"He just said it was a tough decision, but it's your first outing and you've got the whole season ahead, your whole career," Stripling said. "I said, 'No problem, it's the right call.' I keep saying the right thing to do."

Stripling is two years removed from Tommy John surgery and Roberts said the right-hander was on a short leash after his velocity dipped in the seventh inning. Stripling said he understood.

Blog Kiosk: 2/12/2016 - Dodgers Links - Nomo, Koufax and a Brief Time Warner Update

Sandy is lounging on the grass at Wrigley Field!

Above is a fantastic pic of Sandy Koufax from an original 1960's color transparency/slide from the Metropolis Collection that was being auctioned by Hyee_Auctions on eBay.  It recent sold for $113.50.  The photo was taken by Chicago based photographer Lee Balterman.  He had started out as a photographer for the Army during WWII then did freelance work for magazines such as Life, Fortune, and Sports Illustrated.

Below are more links to check out:

• Here's some good news on the Time Warner front -- however slight it might be.  The California PUC is speeding up their review of the proposal merger between the company and Charter.  Via Robert W. Welkos at CFTN, "California ALJ Advances Time Warner Cable-Charter Decision Date."

Administrative Law Judge Karl J. Bemesderfer issued a scheduling order pushing up a final decision to May 12 from the previously announced June 10 date, and said that a proposed decision in the case would be issued April 12.

So, it's conceivable that SportsNet LA can be in everybody's homes before the All-Star break.  Assuming, of course, they can hammer out agreements with the other cable companies right away.

• I'm not one for reporting trade rumors, but this is one I can get behind.  Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, "Dodgers Shopping Alex Guerrero."
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Double-A Tulsa releases 2016 spring training schedule."
• Via Baseball America, the Dodgers have the #1 ranked minor league system in the game this year.
• Old friend Hideo Nomo just became a Padres.  Via a San Diego press release, "Padres name Hideo Nomo Advisor, Baseball Operations."

"I am very happy to join the San Diego Padres and return to Major League Baseball," said Nomo. "My hope is that my advice will be handed down to the young players of Padres. It is also an opportunity for me to learn, and I hope to help bring a World Championship to the Padres. I look forward to working with A.J Preller and all of the Padres baseball operations staff."

• MLB Network ranks Yasiel Puig as the eighth best right fielder in the game.  Watch the video here.

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Blog Kiosk: 2/11/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some ODss and Ends

A sign of things to come.

Featured above is an vintage color transparency from the Metropolis Collection that is currently being auctioned by Hyee_Auctions on eBay, and it features the then Mayor of Los Angeles Norris Poulson meeting with Walter O'Malley.  It is dated March 6, 1957, a full year before the Dodgers would move to the West Coast, and it includes a sorrowful Brooklyn Dodgers "Bum" listening in.  The clown in the photo is none of than the famous Emmett Kelly.  Also framed in the pic is the Dodgers official plane.  The photograph was taken by Cranston & Elkins of the New York Daily News.

Although nothing was official at the time, I have no doubt the folks in the photo above knew exactly what was going to happen.  The Dodgers were coming to Los Angeles.  They just needed to make sure everyone was on board.  Per the Walter O'Malley website, Mayor Poulson was joined by John Gibson, president of the City Council; Samuel Leask, city administration officer; L.A. County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn; county chief administrative officer John Leach; and Milton Arthur, chairman of the county recreation commission.

Below are more links to check out:

• USA Today names Corey Seager the #1 name to know in the MLB this season.  Kenta Maeda is #11, Julio Urias is at #78, Frankie Montas at #80 and Trayce Thompson at #82.  See story here.

The words “Hall of Famer” are already being tossed around in regard to Seager, 21, by teammate Adrian Gonzalez. Seager’s uncommon combination of talent and composure inspires. He might be the National League’s version of Carlos Correa — a lanky shortstop with power, poise and leadership skills — and his opposite number at All-Star Games for years to come. Lefty-swinging Seager replaced former MVP Jimmy Rollins as the Dodgers’ starting shortstop in September, kept the job in the playoffs and goes into the season as the regular.

• Blowout Buzz shares some preview pics from Topps 2016 Strata set; including the Koufax autographed card on the right.  It is slated to be released on July 27th.  Go here to check out more pics.
• Huh... Apparently, the Dodgers have signed a minor league deal with former Giants infielder Brandon Hicks to Spring Training.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Dodger mix picks Hicks."
• Via Tracy Ringolsby at MLB.com, "Dodgers securing future with international prospects."

The Dodgers have been every bit as aggressive in the international market as the big league market. And they were not deterred by the sizable tax penalty for exceeding their allotted segment of the international signing pool.

The team set a record by spending $150 million on international players in 2015.

• Keith Law at ESPN ranks the Dodgers farm system at #2 in Baseball:

You can say that they bought this farm-system ranking, and you’d be right, and I don’t think they’d particularly care. However, that doesn’t do justice to the successful draft picks in 2013 and 2014 that line their top 10 around the various high-dollar Cuban signings (and that one Mexican lefty named Urias).

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Football not off Lee's radar."

"I wouldn't say it's completely left the station. It's a decision I'd have to make pretty soon. But I've got an opportunity to prove myself in the big leagues."

• The Baseball Continuum has put up a nice primer on the upcoming World Baseball Classic Qualifier; "World Baseball Classic Qualifier Preview: Sydney (Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Africa)."  Go Philippines!

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Blog Kiosk: 2/10/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's another fantastic pic that comes from an original color transparency that's currently for sale on eBay.  This time I feature Roy Campanella makings his acceptance speech as the newest member of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown; dated July 29, 1969.  Seated to his right are Stan Musial, Waite Hoyt and Stan Coveleski (from L to R).

Below are more links to check out:

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Bill Haselman introduced as Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers manager."

"As a catcher, you're involved in the game pretty much every pitch, calling the game and talking to 11-12 different pitchers on a daily basis getting them ready for a game," Haselman said. "You have a lot of different personalities. It's always a challenge to be able to figure out each individual by themselves and get them to perform the best they can.

"Being involved as a catcher, it's an easy transition as a manager because you've already dealt with half a team your whole playing career."

• Watch Hannah Storm of ESPN interview Magic Johnson about the Dodgers, here.
• Reddit user r/GritMcGritterton put together a fantastic 2015 Dodgers home run video montage that you should check out, here.  You should watch it before they shut it down.
• Via Peter Gammons at the Gammons Daily, "The Transitional Culture of Cuban Baseball Development."  He takes a closer look at the process Cuban players go through when coming to the Major Leagues.

“I think the most important thing with the Cuban players is building a trust that goes both ways,” said the Dodger official.
...
“Donnie tried really hard, and maybe Yasiel wasn’t ready to trust the situation,” said the Dodger official. “Maybe it will take a new situation. Dave Roberts is an incredibly positive person. He has had what we hope have been productive meetings with Puig.”  Then there is George Lombard, Roberts’ prized addition to his coaching staff. The Dodger front office was blown away by Lombard, who is highly intelligent (his grandfather George Francis Fabyan Lombard was the dean of Harvard Business School), his mother Posy became a significant figure in the Civil Rights Movement after graduating from Smith, working closely with the Rev. Martin Luther King before tragically losing her life in an automobile accident on Cape Cod.

Lombard is married to a Cuban-American, knows that Miami community well, understands the Cuban culture. “I think the trust built in establishing a personal and professional relationship is hugely important,” says the Dodger official. “I do think the trust factor is something that can be difficult to build, with the Cuban players dealing with such a different culture, but many players trying to assimilate into our baseball culture from theirs.”

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Vintage Pics of Holman Stadium at Dodgertown, Vero Beach from its Opening in 1953

Over the past few days I've been posting up vintage pics (here and here) from an well-known eBay auctioneer named Hyee_Auctions that feature vintage photographic transparencies.  Nearly every Baseball team is available, but none are cooler than the photos featuring the "Boys in Blue" (except for maybe the Yankees pics; which are just as good).  Most of the Dodgers photos available were taken during various spring days over the decades, and the most fantastic ones are in this post.  BTW, these pics were all taken by a duo known as "Cranston & Livia."  If you happen to know who they are please let me know.

Featured here are photographs from the very first game played at Holman Stadium in Dodgertown, Vero Beach, FL - Its Opening Day. The date is March 11, 1953.

At the very top are the stadium flags raised as a part of the Opening Ceremonies (Auction Link Here).  The white flag seen above celebrates the Dodgers National League Pennant in 1952.  Below is Brooklyn Borough President John Cashmore with Walter O'Malley in the stands (Link Here).

(Auction Link)

Below is a view of the crowd in the left field stands (Link Here).  On the right you can see what the players dugout looked like.  Also, the blue flag on the left says "Elmira."  I believe this refers to a town in the western part of New York state; near Ithica.  

(Auction Link)

This last photo is of the Dodgers dugout that sits along the right field line (Link Here).  Roy Campanella (#39) is easily recognizable at the center of the photo.

BTW, the Dodgers won the days game, and Cark Erskine is credited with throwing the very first pitch in the stadium.  Per a letter O'Malley sent to The Sporting News:

“I believe our attendance at the game (opening game for Holman Stadium on March 11th) exceeded the total population of the City of Vero Beach.”

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Blog Kiosk: 2/9/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's another fantastic pic derived from an original photographic transparency.  Featured above is Pee Wee Reese showing off his swing to the cameraman.  It is dated to March 4, 1957, and was taken at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, FL.  This is one of many different vintage color transparencies currently for sale through Hyee-Auctions on eBay. 

Below are more links to check out:

• Via Eric Mandel at MyNorthwest.com, "Littlest brother's shadow looms large for Mariners' Kyle Seager."  Find out what big brother Kyle thinks of little brother Corey.

At the Mariners' annual FanFest event on Jan. 31, third basemen Kyle Seager was faced with a question he's likely been asked for years: Who is better, you or your little brother?

And, apparently, Kyle couldn't help but give his most honest answer.

"He's good, sorry," Seager responded to a cascade of laughs. "I'm sorry he's better; I'm trying, I promise." 

• Via Justin Russo at Dodgers Nation, "Joc Pederson Attends Super Bowl 50."
• Matt Eddy at Baseball America noted on their Minor League Transaction page that the Dodgers re-signed Chin-Hui Tsao.
• Yeah!  I get it.  The Gurriel brothers have defected from Cuba, and I suspect every team in the league will be hot after their trails.  Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors has a good rundown on them, here.
• Looking for some validation?  Then check out Reuben Hampton and Jeremy Losak story at the Sports Quotient, "Dodgers Depth Enough To Win."
• Jeff Pearlman shares an fantastic interview with sports publicist Kelly Swanson, here.  She is noted as the "biggest publicist in boxing" over the past twenty years.
• Wrigley Wax finds an glaring error in the 2016 Topps Baseball card set that features Wrigley Field.  Check it out here.
• Wow.  Via Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily, "Doug Allen Sentenced to 57 Months in Federal Prison."  He was one of the auction house guys (Mastro/Legendary) caught by the FBI and prosecuted for illegal auction activities (like shill bidding) and the sale of fake/inauthentic goods.  Allen was a heavyweight in the hobby.  Now, he's going to jail.
• If you don't read Night Owl Cards then you're missing out. 

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Blog Kiosk: 2/8/2016 - Dodgers Links - Maeda, Puig and Dave Roberts

Doesn't this photo above give you the chills?

It's of Hall of Famer Roy Campanella playing catch near 1st base during a Spring Training workout at what I think must be Dodgertown in Vero Beach, FL.  According to the seller on eBay (Hyee_Auctions) it is dated February 29, 1956 (a leap year), and it states that Campy is playing catch with youngster Sandy Koufax.

Furthermore, the auctioneer has numerous other Dodgers available currently, so I'll have an individual post featuring many of them soon.  BTW, what is available for sale is the actual color transparency (taken by Cranston & Elkins), so you can certainly make multiple prints to hand out to friends.  This is rather unusual item since color photos (let alone a transparency) from this time period are scarce.  Black & White pics were the prevalent medium at the time.

Below are more links to check out:

• Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wrote a piece at MLB.com, "Reflecting on Jackie's influence." 

Observing Black History Month is important for baseball. For me, I became aware of Jackie Robinson right around age 15-16. My father is African-American. He told me as I was getting more further along in my athletic career, he kind of educated me about Jackie and his story. So as I got older and more educated and wiser, just kind of digging more into his story, and I ultimately went to UCLA, and so I played at Jackie Robinson Field. So just seeing that really resonated with me and what an impact Jackie made on society and what a leader he was.

• Via August Fagerstrom at FanGraphs, "Projecting Byung-ho Park, Hyun-soo Kim, and Kenta Maeda." 

Ben Badler of Baseball America’s most recent scouting report on Maeda, from this December, notes that Maeda has recently improved his changeup, flashing plus in front of scouts at the Premier 12 tournament in Taiwan last month, getting swings and misses with sink and fade in the low 80s.

• Via Jorge Morejón at ESPN, "Yasiel Puig embracing change in 2016 season."

"I am working to strengthen the legs and prevent injuries like last year and focused on continuing adjusting to my new life in the majors, to get along with my teammates and try to help the team," Puig said Friday in an interview with ESPN Deportes.

• Robert Murray at Baseball Essential interviews Dodger prospect Cody Bellinger.

His dad, Clay, played in the big leagues for four seasons with the New York Yankees and the Anaheim Angels and he is still a big influence for him.

“He’s taught me all I know,” Bellinger said of his father. “On and off the field, he taught me to play the game with respect.”

• Via BlowoutBuzz, Topps Spring Fever in-story hobby shop program to begin this coming Wednesday.   At participating stores a $20 purchase will get you a redemption card for a 5-card pack of 2016 Topps Spring Fever cards.  Redemption cards can then be exchanged a week later at the same store for the pack (beginning Feb. 22).  The Spring Fever set consist of 50 cards, and there randomly inserted autograph cards, as well.  Dodger players available include Clayton Kershaw, Adrian Gonzalez and Corey Seager.  Of note, Zack Greinke has a card, but he is featured in an Diamondbacks uniform for the first time.  See it on the right.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers coaches helping lead Team New Zealand."

Chris Woodward and Josh Bard, members of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts' new coaching staff, are currently halfway around the world, doing their part in the globalization of baseball. Woodward will be the Dodgers' third-base coach when Spring Training opens, Bard the bullpen coach. But for the next two weeks, Woodward is manager and Bard his coach on the New Zealand national team, which competes in the World Baseball Classic qualifier in Sydney, Australia, next week.

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Take a Look at some Vintage Dodger Photos from Hyee Auctions - Campy, Sandy and the Duke

Some of my favorite sport memorabilia items to check out on eBay are vintage press photos, and one of the top sellers of them currently has some great Dodger pics to peruse through.  Check out some of my favorites from hyee_auctions below. 

Below is Roy Campanella chatting with Yogi Berra during a pre-1953 World Series workout.  According to the caption glued to the reverse, they are wondering out-loud why they both stick a finger out of their glove when catching.  Notice how Campy has a grip of Yogi's index finger.  It was taken by Herb Scharfman of International News. 

(Auction Link)

As a collector I found this below photograph totally fascinating.  Here is a July 30, 1958 photograph of a concession stand for a Dodger game at the Coliseum.  You can see a Dodgers yearbook, some Jay's photo packs, postcards and scorecards.

(auction link)

Below is a 1965 St. Paul Pioneer Press Photo of Sandy Koufax on the mound during Game 2 of the 1965 World Series after giving up a few runs.

(Auction Link)

Here is a 1954 AP photograph of an 18-year old hurler straight out of the University of Cincinnati - Sandy Koufax.

(Auction Link)

Below is a great photo of Babe Herman with his young son Bobby, dated 8/18/1930.  It was by Herman Adnson of Wide World Photos.

(auction link)

Here is a 1949 ACME News photo of Campy, Preacher Roe and the Duke in those shiny satin Dodger uniforms.

(auction link)

I thought I would finish this post up with a fantastic photo of Duke Snider doing celebrating after the Dodgers 1955 World Series victory.

(auction link)

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Check Out These Hilarious Vintage Dodgers Press Photos at HYEE Auctions

Following up on yesterdays post featuring several vintage Jackie Robinson Press Photos, I now bring to you some Dodgers' Press Photos on the more lighter side.  These group of photos made me chuckle.

Below is a Spring Training photograph of the mighty Duke Snider twirling away from a high hard one.  It has a newspaper stamp date of March 26, 1956, and was taken by UPI photographer Mike Ackerman.  The newspaper clipping glued to the reverse says, "Hefty Cut and Miss Make Duke Snider a Dancing Dodger... Tommy Byrne's pitch has him swinging". 

(auction link)

The below photo is just great.  It is from the Dodgers' clubhouse celebration after winning their very first World Series Championship in 1955.  The photo is from UPI and was used for a report on the 10 best news stories of 1955.  As you can see, Don Newcombe is seen serenading (or screaming, whatever the case may be) Duke Snider.  On the reverse is the below caption:

One of the biggest stories of 1955, as selected by the United Press, was the victory of the Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series.  This was the "Next Year" about which Brooklyn fans were always talking.  There, Dodger stars Duke Snider and Don Newcombe symbolize the jubilation that swept Brooklyn after the won the World Championship from the New York Yankees.

(auction link)

Here is another vintage press photo from a Dodger Spring Training, dated March 31, 1960.  It is from the Miami Herald and features a couple of local sheriffs clowning around with Duke Snider and Don Drysdale.  On the reserve is a newspaper clipping with the following caption:

Squeeze Play - That Grapefruit League stuff can be taken too seriously, two members of the Los Angeles Dodgers learn at Vero Beach.  In the squeeze play, from the left, are Deputy Sheriff Frank Aber, Duke Snider, Don Drysdale, and Sheriff Sam Joyce of Indian River County.  It's all in fun though, and the boys split a beaker of fresh citrus juice and go off to the ball game.

(auction link)

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Some Great Jackie Robinson Vintage Press Photos from HYEE Auctions

Premier eBay seller HYEE Auctions has a bunch of great vintage press photos available for sale.  They always seem to have the best stuff out there.  Take a look below at some of my favorite Jackie Robinson press photos.  Tomorrow, I'll show some other great Dodger press photos that stuck out to me.

This is just an amazing live-action photo of Jackie Robinson trying to turn two.  It was taken by Tony Bernato of International News Photos on 7/21/1952.  Sliding into second base is Yankee Gil McDougald.  The photo was taken during the New York-Brooklyn Mayor's Trophy Game at Yankee Stadium.  This was an exhibition game played in benefit of Sandlot Baseball.  I assume this was a NY area non-profit.  Baseball Reference helpfully provides some background about this event.  Proceeds went to support Sandlot Baseball by primarily giving funds to the city's Amateur Baseball Federation.  BTW, this 1952 game ended in a 3-3 tie, since the Yankees had to leave early (at the end of the 8th inning) in order to catch a train for the next days game.

(auction link)

Jackie Robinson scores at home in this 1950 Internal News press photo.  The catcher is Wes Westrum of the New York Giants.  It was taken during the fifth inning of the second game of a doubleheader on July 4, 1950.

(auction link)

The below photo makes me sad, just a bit.

This is a December 13, 1956 International News Press Photo featuring the Robinson's celebrating a trade to the NY Giants.

Say What?

Jackie would soon decide to retire from the game instead.

(auction link)

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Some Great Vintage Dodgers' Photos on eBay - Ruth, Jackie and the Shot Heard 'Round the World

It's been awhile since I've looked around eBay for some interesting Dodgers' collectibles.  I just haven't taken the time to do any window shopping, if you will, so when I got a notice from HYee Auctions that they had a large group of vintage photographs and negatives for sale I immediately decided to take a gander.  And, I am so glad I did. 

They had a ton of Dodger's stuff that closed this past weekend; with more closing in the next day or so.  Below are some of my favorites.  BTW, I didn't win anythings... which kinda annoys me... prices got way too high on some of the better stuff... Oh, well.

Here is a original 1938 photographic negative of Babe Ruth as a Brooklyn Dodgers as captured by George Burke. Babe Ruth is with two men identified by Burke as John McDonald and Ed Zectner. This negative sold for $79.00.

(auction link)

If you've seen the Jackie Robinson movie that came out earlier this year, called "42", then you know a bit about the below photo.  Here is an original Type 1 press photo of the infamous photo of Jackie Robinson and Phillies coach Ben Chapman playing nice.  Per the auction description:

Chapman vehemently oppose integration of whites and blacks in baseball with several controversial statements. In an early Dodgers-Phillies series in Brooklyn, Chapman’s southern prejudices reared its ugly head. The level of verbal abuse directed by Chapman and his players at Robinson reached such proportions that it made headlines in the New York and the national press. Chapman instructed his pitchers, whenever they had a 3-0 count against Robinson, to bean him rather than walk him harmlessly! As it turned out, Chapman's attempts to intimidate Robinson backfired with the Dodgers rallying behind Robinson, and there was increased sympathy for him in many circles. The backlash against Chapman was so severe that he was forced to pose in a photo with Robinson as a conciliatory gesture when the two teams next met in Philadelphia in May. This incident prompted Dixie Walker - a teammate of Robinson's - to comment, "I never thought I'd see old Ben eat sh*t like that.”

This photo sold for an incredible $849.00.  Wow!

(auction link)

(auction link)

The below photo is sad, but is also poignant.  After Bobby Thompson whacked his shot heard 'round the world, pitcher Ralph Branca can be seen walking back to the Dodgers clubhouse sulking in the moment.  This photo sold for $260.00.

(auction link)

Following up on the photo above.  Here is a 1951 press photo featuring a sign that says, "No razor blades sold to Brooklyn fans until Sunday night.  Giant fans help yourself".  From the description attached to the photo:

Larry Pearlman, manager of a news stand at LaGuardia Airfield, refuses to sell razor blades to fellow Dodger fan Donald Smith after he found out Smith's Baseball loyalties.

This photo is still on auction and closes tonight.

(auction link)

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Some Vintage Dodgers Photographs

Following up on my post from the other day featuring some great photos available through HYEE Auction, here are some great Dodgers photographs to take a look at.

Here's a vintage color transparency of Jim Gilliam.

(Auction Link)

Check out this color transparency of Frank Howard sliding hard at home at Dodger Stadium.

(Auction Link)

Here's a 1963 color transparency of the great Sandy Koufax.  This photo was taken during the 1963 World Series in Yankee Stadium by Marvin Newman.

(Auction Link)

Below is a 1955 International News Press photo of Jackie Robinson making a play at 3rd base.

(Auction Link)

Roy Campanella looks a bit bewildered in the 1955 International News Press photo below.  It looks to me like he got a high, hard one.

(Auction Link)

I love this silhouetted photo of former Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley. 

(Auction Link)

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Some Awesome Vintage Baseball Photographs

I am often astounded by the quality of memorabilia that is found on eBay and sold by HYEE Auctions.  They are definitely not your run of the mill eBay seller.  For this holiday weekend they have a huge collection of vintage photographs and original negatives for sale and I thought I would take moment to highlight some of my favorites.  I suggest taking a moment or two to check out everything they've got before they close because I think the Baseball fan in you will be very happy.

Check out the great Christy Mathewson in this 1922 Underwood & Underwood press photo as he peers through a sheet of Christmas Seals Stamps.  Mathewson was the Hall of Fame ace of the NY Giants staff and was nicknamed "The Christian Gentleman".

(Auction Link)

HYEE Auctions also has a large group of original negatives originally taken by famed Baseball photographer George Burke.  Below, Lou Gehrig sits with a young girl who hopes to get his signature on a ball.  According to the auction description, Gehrig visited Comisky Park in Chicago in 1934 as part of a marketing campaign set up by Goudey Gum Company in sponsorship of the "Knot Hole Club".

(Auction Link)

From the same event as above, Gehrig poses with a large group of kids.

(Auction Link)

Here are the hands of a legend.  This is Satchel Paige in this circa 1960's Miami Herald press photo.

(Auction Link)

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eBay: Some Great Vintage Dodgers Photos from HYee Auctions

Ya know... It can be difficult chasing sports memorabilia on eBay.  Oftentimes, you just aren't sure if you are really getting what is described.  Is it really vintage, or is it a modern knockoff?  Heck, eBay can be kind of like a giant flea market filled with all kinds of characters.  So, you've got to be careful when shopping and you must always be mindful of how an item is described.  On the flip side, sometimes you run into a seller who has consistently sold the good stuff, and who seemingly has a reputation (both online and in the collecting community) as a top notch seller. 

For this post I feature some incredible vintage photos and photo negatives from a eBay retailer who I would consider one of those top notch sellers- HYee Auctions.  Shown here are some items currently on auction (but closing soon) that I thought would be fun to share.

Below is a October 5, 1949, original glass negative from the archives of the New York Daily News featuring the meat of the Dodgers lineup that season.  In the photo is Roy Campanella, Gil Hodges, Duke Snider, Pee Wee Reese, Carl Furillo and Jackie Robinson. 

(Auction Link)

The below photo comes from an original New York Daily News glass negative.  It is of a very young (19 years old) Sandy Koufax from the 1955 season.  As the auction description indicates, this may very well be the earliest known Baseball photograph of the Hall of Fame lefty.  It is dated to April 9, 1955 and was taken by Fred Morgan before the start of Opening Day.  As you can see, Sandy is showing off his 2-seam fastball grip.

(Auction Link)

I love this 1947 International News press photo by Harry Hirsch.  It shows the fans of Brooklyn cheering on their pennant winning Dodgers with a parade.  It is dated at September 26, 1947.

(Auction Link)

You have probably seen hundreds of photos of Jackie Robinson.  You've seen him batting, sliding, running and posing, but how about a photo of him getting beaned in the hand?  Well, know you can say you've seen that, too.  Here is a July 20, 1949 Associated Press photo of Jackie on the dirt while holding his battered hand as Pirates catcher Clyde McCullough chats with Hall of Fame umpire Al Barlick.

(Auction Link)

The next photo has nothing to do with the Dodgers, but is something I knew I had to share here.  Below is a May 25, 1943 Associated Press photo of four players from the All American Girls Softball League.  This photo immediately made me think of that Baseball movie, A League of their Own.

(Auction Link)

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HYee Auctions: Some Great Dodgers Collectibles

One of the premier sellers of high-end and high-quality sports memorabilia on eBay has just put up their recent finds for sale. As always, HYee Auctions does not disappoint. Check them all out here. There are photos, pins, cards, and odd-and-ends. Check out some of my favorites below.

Vintage photos are fairly common on eBay, but how about an original vintage negative featuring the fastball grip of our very own Sandy Koufax. Originally taken in 1955, it was photographed by Fred Morgan of the NY Daily News. As the auction description says, it is truly one-of-a-kind. Notice the clarity of the photo. You can literally see every nook and crevasse of his hand. Check this item out here.

(Auction Link)

Just Pee Wee being Pee Wee. This is a 1940's era International News press photo.

(Auction Link)

It's hard to believe this guy could be a pro sports mascot. It's so depressing. Of course, Brooklyn had a strange kind of humor. Anyway, here is the famous Emmett Kelley in his classic "Bum" outfit taken in 1954.

(Auction Link)

Here is a 1950's era PM10 pin featuring Roy Campanella. This is a scarce variation pin

utilizing the same portrait and white background but with no shoulders (in addition, the more common version of this pin has the player name in a clearly defined white box). They are distinguish as two different pins in pinback expert, Paul Muchinsky's standout 586-page book, Baseball Pinback Buttons (catalogue numbers R-57 and R-58).

On top of that, it features a great mini catchers glove attached at the bottom.

(Auction Link)