Blog Kiosk: 11/27/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's an AP wirephoto featuring the great Roy Campanella (eBay listing).

February 9, 1972 -- 'Campy' Comments -- Roy Campanella reflects on a photo of himself as a Brooklyn Dodger Thursday, at New York's Gallaghers restaurant where he volunteered to serve as sports chairman for the Highway Safety Foundation. Commenting on the naming of black athletes Josh Gibson, a catcher, and Walter "Buck" Leonard, a first baseman, to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Campanella said, "They were two of the greatest players I ever played with."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1953 Roy Campanella is the named the National League MVP for the second time in his career. He slashed .312/.395/.611/1.006 with 41 homer runs, a league leading 142 RBI's and recorded 7.1 WAR. In 1956 Don Newcombe was awarded the inaugural Cy Young Award, going 27-7 with a 3.06 ERA. A week prior he was given both the MVP and Rookie of the Year Awards; thereby becoming the first and only player to win all three major awards for a pitcher in one season.
• Happy Birthday, Jimmy Schmitz, Mike Scioscia & Jimmy Rollins!

Blog Kiosk: 9/14/2016 - Dodgers Links - Seager, No Scully for Playoffs and the Loons Advance

The Loons carried the day. 

As you may know, the Dodgers Single-A club Great Lakes Loons were in the midst of a playoff series against the West Michigan White Caps.  The series was tied at one game apiece going into last nights deciding game.  Everything was looking bleak to start for the Loons as they were no-hit through the first six innings.  Then the bats started to come alive.  Per Matt DeVries at MiLB.com; "On to the Midwest League Championship."

The fireworks of the night would come courtesy of second baseman Omar Estevez. With Whitecaps reliever Drew Smith (BS 1, L 2-1) on the mound and (Brendon) Davis already on base after his second single of the game, Estevez smacked a ball over the wall in left field for a two-run home run to give the Loons their first lead of the game.

Insurance runs were on the way in the top of the 9th inning when Gage Green scored on Davis' third hit of the game and Saige Jenco scurried home on a wild pitch by Mark Ecker to push the lead to 5-2 for Great Lakes.

They now earn the right to face the Clinton LumberKings for the Midwest League Championship on Wednesday.  Photo above of the team celebration via DJ Peters on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1945, during an overnight trip between St. Louis and Chicago, the Brooklyn Dodgers train rammed into an gasoline truck, sending flames everywhere.  The train engineer and a firefighter were killed.  The Dodgers survived without serious injury because the momentum of their section carried it through the burning remains.  I had previously written about this incident here.  In 1993 Mike Piazza hit home runs no. 29 and 30 to break the Major League record for homers by a rookie catcher.  In 2002 24-year old Chin-Feng Chen becomes the first Taiwan-born ballplayer to make an appearance in the Major League game.  The first baseman walked as a Dodger pinch-hitter and eventually scored a run.  
• Happy Birthday, Jerry Doggett!  Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider pens a great piece celebrating his 100th birthday today (link here).
  

Blog Kiosk: 9/6/2016 - Dodgers Links - Seager, Puig, Hill, McCarthy and Kenta Maeda

What more can you say about Kenta Maeda?

He has been fantastic and easily counts as the Dodgers best acquisition of this past year.  Given early fears that he would be susceptible to an arm injury you wouldn't be blamed for being skeptical.  Thankfully, Maeda was extremely confident in his abilities and was willing to sign with us on an performance based contract, and now we understand why.  Kenta Maeda is the Dodgers ace in the absence of Clayton Kershaw.

Last night he barrelled over an unmatched Diamondbacks club by going 6.1 innings, giving up just three hits and a lone earned run.  Furthermore, eight Arizona batter struck out and only one batter was given a walk.  Per Jack Baer and Steve Gilbert at MLB.com:

"Kenta threw the ball great," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "I think you could see with those hitters and their approach, sitting soft. He was effective with his fastball tonight and locating it inside, outside. Kept those guys guessing and made his slider that much more effective. We tried to get through that seventh inning, but he gave us a great, great effort. Something we really needed."

At one point he retired 18 batters in a row.  Not lost on the evening was the Dodgers power surge at the plate against former teammate Zack Greinke.  They pounded out five home runs against the highest paid pitcher in the game; including four in the fifth inning alone.  Last nights 10-2 victory gives the Dodgers a four game lead over the Giants

Pic above via Jill Weisleder/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jill and Jon SooHoo from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1924 the Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) recorded their 15th consecutive win, establishing the longest winning streak in franchise history.  In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela recorded his seventh shutout of the season, tying a National League rookie record for shutout.  In 1996 Brett Butler returns to the Dodger lineup four months after having surgery for throat cancer.  You can watch a news report on his first game back here.

More Dodgers Goodies at Lelands Auctions - Erskine's No Hit Game Ball

Earlier this week I wrote a bit about a Brooklyn Dodger themed prayer/mass card that Lelands Auctions has available for sale (link here).  Now I take a look at some other notable Dodgers collectibles that are available.

Directly below is a 1977 Dodgers National League Championship pendant that was given to Jodie Doggett, the wife of longtime announcer Jerry Doggett. (Auction Link Here)

Even more thrilling is the below, dated October 4, 1949, vintage photograph featuring the Brooklyn Dodger players and front office personnel at the steps of Brooklyn's Borough Hall in celebration of their National League pennant. (Auction Link Here)  The next day they would face the Yankees for the first game of the World Series at Yankees Stadium.  As you know, the Dodgers would lose to the Bronx bombers four games to one.

Frank Howard's Ring, Jerry Doggett's Ring and Sandy's Batting Helmet and SCP

SCP's Summer Premier Auction is about to get underway, and there are some nice Dodger related items to gaze at.  The auction officially opens tomorrow.

The item below comes directly from the Helms Athletic Foundation/LA84 Collection.  Learn more about them here.  Below is a scarce early 20th century pocket mirror that celebrates the Brooklyn Base Ball teams home field, Ebbets Field.  It says,

"Ebbets Field, The Home of the Brooklyn Base Ball Club, is the Most Beautiful, Modern, Perfectly Appointed and Conveniently Located Base Ball Field in the World."

This item is rarely ever seen.  On the reverse is a mirror.  See the auction here.

(Auction Link)

Mr. Tiger Blood himself, Charlie Sheen, once owned this Sandy Koufax game-used batting helmet.  The helmet dates to the 1960's and is well worn.  Also, I'm totally fascinated by the "LA" emblem.  It looks like it has been haphazardly drawn on the helmet.  What's the deal with that?  There's got to be a story about it.  Anyway, check out the auction here.  It has been authenticated by Grey Flannel - a trusted game-used apparel authenticator. 

(Auction Link)

All old-time Dodger fans remember Jerry Doggett.  He spent 32 years in the Dodger broadcast booth along side Vin Scully, and was just as recognizable.  Doggett would regularly call the middle three innings of the ballgame while Scully announced the first and last three innings.  He retired from broadcast in 1987; which ended to longest running broadcast partnership ever in baseball.  Featured here is his 1981 World Championship ring.

(Auction Link)

This next World Series championship ring once belonged to Frank Howard.  This is for the Dodgers 1963 championship over the Yankees.  Per the auction description:

In the World Series vs. the New York Yankees, Howard batted .300 to help the Dodgers beat the Yankees in four straight games.

(Auction Link)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklets - Vin Scully and Jerry Doggett

I just made an exciting (at least to me) acquisition to my collection, and I am happy to share it with all of you.  Featured above is a complete set of 24 - 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family booklets.

These little (5 1/2" 7 1/2") booklets were handed out at local Union Oil gas stations throughout the Southland.  A new book was release each week during the season.  They provide a biography of the players featured, as well as, tips about playing ball.  Pages are black & white, and are highlighted with red graphics.

Since it's likely that most of you have never seen them, I will scan every page of each booklet and post it up here for you to enjoy.  Stay tuned, I'll feature a different booklet every other day, or so.

To start, I figured I would begin with the best booklet of all.  Check out complete scans of the Vin Scully / Jerry Doggett booklet below.  Click any pic to embiggen.

UPDATE: Go here to check out scans of every booklet in this set.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

A Vin Scully Cards and Collectibles Checklist

Since hearing the news that Vin Scully would be staying in the Dodgers broadcast booth for another year, I just haven't been able to wipe this smile off my face.  Heck, even as the Dodgers play less-than-par Baseball my grin just gets wider.

So, in order satisfy my Vin Scully addiction, I thought I would go through a checklist of the various Scully cards and memorabilia items available in the marketplace.  I'll go through the known cards (at least to me) and other collectibles below.  I will refrain from showing the two recent bobbleheads since we already know about those, and the various records that exist (save one Union Oil set).  Also, I can't claim that this is a totally complete comprehensive list (there's likely more out there than I'm aware of), so please let me know if I missed anything. 

To start with, I'll feature the known memorabilia items.  Then, I'll move on to postcards featuring Vin Scully.  Lastly, I'll show you the handful of trading cards with Vin Scully on them.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

---------------

(1958-60 Volpe)

The earliest Vin Scully collectible I am aware of is the 1958-1960 LA Dodgers Premium Picture shown on the left.  (UPDATE: It's now the 2nd oldest Scully item I know of - see update below featuring a 1951 Brooklyn Dodgers broadcasters postcard)  Originally drawn by Nicholas Volpe, it is a pencil-style portrait of the Dodgers broadcast team: Vin Scully and Jerry Doggett.  It measures 8.5" x 11" and were sold as a complete set of 16 portraits (15 of which are Dodger players) at souvenir stands at the Coliseum.

This set is fairly scarce.  Even when considering that they were sold over a three year period, complete sets, let alone individual pictures, are very rarely seen.  In fact, I can't recall ever seeing a complete set of 16 for sale.  The last time I saw the Scully/Doggett for sale was in 2008 on eBay, and it sold for a little over $52.00.  On reflection, that price might have been a steal.

---------------

The Dodgers connection to Union Oil is well known to a lot of us old-timers.  At one time, beyond centerfield in the Dodger Stadium parking lot, stood a Union 76 gas station to help fans with their gasoline needs.  On top of that, just about every summer you could count on Dodgers promotional give-aways at Union Oil.

(1960 Union Oil booklet)

In 1960 Union Oil teamed up with the Dodgers to create and distribute Dodger Family Booklets.  These were 5.5" x 7.5" little books with 16 pages devoted to the individual featured.  There were 23 different books made in 1960, and Dodger broadcasters Vin Scully and Jerry Doggett had one of them.  See it on the right.

(1961 Union Oil)

The following year (1961) Union Oil issued a second series of booklets featuring the Dodgers, and Scully/Doggett again received their own book.  See it on the left.

These booklets are rather plentiful, but (for whatever reason) do not show up very often on eBay.  I recall going to the last National Sports Collectors Convention in Anaheim and seeing a dealer with large stacks of complete sets for sale.  So, I know there are stockpiles of this stuff sitting somewhere.

The Vin Scully/ Jerry Doggett booklet is likely to sell anywhere between $10 to $20 a piece, depending on how many collectors happen to notice it.  Below are a couple pics of the inside of a 1961 booklet.  (UPDATE:  Check out a complete scan of every page of the Scully/Doggett booklet here.)

---------------

I wasn't sure if I should include this next item in this checklist, but I figured that since Vin's mug is displayed it was worth mentioning.  In 1966 Union Oil issued a series of 33 1/3 records featuring Vin Scully interviewing several Dodger players and staff.  As you can see below, a small portrait of Vin Scully is on the corner of the record sleeve.  The drawings were originally drawn by Nicholas Volpe.  I am unsure exactly how many different records exist in the set.

(1966 Union Oil Record)

---------------

This next item looks like a postcard, but it's not.  In 1971 Ticketron issued a set of 20 postcards-sized schedule cards of the Dodgers, and one of them featured Vin Scully and Jerry Doggett.  See it below. 

The reverse of the card includes a schedule, promotional dates and an advertisement for their ticket service.  They measure 4" x 6".  The Scully/Doggett card can be purchased for about $5.00, and a complete set of 20 recently sold for $41.52.

(1971 Ticketron Dodgers)

---------------

This next item might be the most well known of all Vin Scully collectibles in the market.  Produced as an promotional item for Union Oil, a pastel portrait, originally drawn by Nicholas Volpe, of Vin Scully was created.  They measure 8.5" x 11", and feature a biography of the artist and Vin Scully's Hall of Fame Induction speech on the reverse.  These portraits are very affordable.  You should be able to pick up a Scully for just a couple of bucks.

In my mind, this is a must have for any Vin Scully fan.  I've included a pic of both the front and reverse in the photos below.

(1982 Union 76 Volpe Prints)

(1982 Union 76 Volpe Prints)

---------------

DODGERS POSTCARDS

---------------

UPDATE:
I was just notified of an very early Vin Scully postcard that would probably rank as his rookie card.  Heck, it also happens to be a rookie card for Hall of Fame broadcaster Red Barber.  See it below.

(pic via Old Cardboard)

It is an 1951 Brooklyn Dodgers broadcasters postcard with Red Barber, Connie Desmond and Vin Scully.  Wow!

 ---------------

This next section deals with the various Dodgers issued postcards of Vin Scully.  Unfortunately, I was a little unclear whether a couple of the postcards examples I have where actually made for the Dodgers (and not an outside source), so if you happen to have more information please pass it along.  Postcards are typically very affordable.  You should be able to get any one of the postcards shown below for about $10 to $20 a piece.

(1962-63 LA Dodgers Postcard)

The post card above was issued by the Dodgers both individually and as a postcard folding booklet from 1962 to 1963.  They were printed by Plastichrome and distributed by Mitock and Sons.  The folding booklet postcard has a white border.  The Scully/Doggett postcard has a designated number of P49774.  Postcards with an facsimile autograph of both Scully and Doggett on the reverse also exist.

For the first time, in 1966, the Dodgers issued a postcard that only featured Vin Scully.  See it below.  It has a designated number of P69885 that is located in the stamp box at the upper-right of the reverse. 

(1966 LA Dodgers Postcard)

(Reverse of the above postcard)

Below is the 1967 Dodgers postcard of Vin Scully and Jerry Doggett.  It It has a designated number of P70454 that is located in the stamp box at the upper-right of the reverse.   There are facsimile autographs of both Scully and Doggett on the reverse.

(1967 LA Dodger Postcard)

(1967 LA Dodger Postcard)

This is where my knowledge of postcards gets a little shaky.

I believe the below post card is from 1973.

And I believe the postcard below of Scully, Doggett and a sliding Willie Crawford is from 1975.

UPDATE: I have come across two new NBC-related postcards featuring both Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola.  Unfortunately, I do not know the date of issuance.  Check them out below.  

---------------

BASEBALL CARDS

---------------

Unfortunately, there are very few Baseball cards of our Hall of Fame broadcaster.  In fact, it appears that it has only been in the past couple of years that the card manufacturers even saw it fit to make one of him.  See them below.  (Update: I have since added a 2004 Fleer card I was not previously aware of)  All of the autographed cards can sell for hundreds of dollars.

2004 Fleer Greats of the Game

Announcing Greats Insert

#2 -- Vin Scully & Steve Garvey

2012 Panini National Treasures Baseball

#8 Vin Scully /20

2012 Panini Cooperstown Baseball - Cooperstown Signatures

#76 Vin Scully – Announcer /100

The below card, unlike the other cards shown here, is very affordable.  As a regular issued insert card it can be purchased for a couple of dollars, at most.

2012 Panini Cooperstown Baseball - Voices of Summer inserts

#9 Vin Scully

2012 Panini Prime Cuts - Significant Signatures

#60 Vin Scully /49

UPDATE:  I should add that Panini just released a new Vin Scully Baseball card this week in their 2013 Panini Cooperstown Baseball set.  At this moment I do not have a photo, but once I nail one down I will share it here.

Here is a pic of the Vin Scully base card to the 2013 Panini Cooperstown Baseball card set.  For the very first time Vin Scully has a card within a base card set.  As a result, there are numerous parallels available.  Featured below is the "Blue Crystal Shard" parallel card numbered to just 499 copies.  I might just have to chase them all down.  UPDATE II: Go to this post to see all the different Scully 2013 Cooperstown parallel cards I've gathered.

#65 Vin Scully

UPDATE II:  Topps has just released their very first Vin Scully Baseball card.  It's in the 2016 Topps The Mint set and it is a part of the GEM 10 Autographed insert set.  Unfortunately, it's available only through a redemption.  See an example of what that looks like below.  As soon as the actual cards come to light I will include it below.

UPDATE III: And now, below is the Vin Scully "The Mint" autographed card:

#G10A-VS Vin Scully

Additionally, Topps issued a second Scully autographed card during the 2016 season.  A redemption card can be found in packs of 2016 Topps Five Star.  See it below:

 #FSA-VS Vin Scully

UPDATE IV:  There is now a third Vin Scully autographed card available from Topps in 2016 .  It can only be found in 2016 Topps Transcendent.  Check out what it looks like below.

#TCA-VS Vin Scully

UPDATE V: Leaf Trading Cards gave away a Vin Scully promo card as part of the 2017 National Sports Collectors Convention VIP program. Every VIP attendee received the below card.

#VIP-01 Vin Scully

UPDATE VI: Panini has just released a Vin Scully card as a part of their 2019 Panini Diamond Kings brand. Check it out below.

#DKS-VS Vin Scully

UPDATE VII: Panini has just release another new Vin Scully card. This time it's a part of their 2019 National Treasures set, and it's the very first Vin Scully booklet card. See it below.

Cut Signature Booklets

#1 Vin Scully (#/6)

UPDATE VIII: Here's a new Vin Scully card to add to the checklist. Below is a 2019 Panini Flawless Signatures card of Vin Scully

Flawless Signatures

#20 Vin Scully

UPDATE IX: Here is a card celebrating the Medal Freedom Vin Scully was awarded by the President Obama.

2020 Decision Series 2

#PMOF30

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *