Blog Kiosk: 5/4/2020 - Dodgers Link & News - May the Fourth be with You

I thought it would be fun to make a couple of Dodgers/Star Wars fantasy Baseball cards today -- on Star Wars Day. Photo above originally taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1919 Brooklynites attend the very first major league game played on a Sunday due to a new law passed by the NY Legislature called the "Sunday Baseball Bill." The Brooklyn Dodgers defeated the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field, 6-2. In 1966 Willie Mays hits his 512nd career home run off of Dodgers hurler Claude Osteen at Candlestick Park. The homer breaks the NL All-Time home run mark held by Mel Ott. In 1976 it is declared Rick Monday Day in Illinois. The then Cubs outfielder is presented with the flag he saved from an on-field burning attempt at Dodger Stadium. In 2009 the Dodgers win their 11th straight game to start the season -- breaking a NL record. In 2012 the Dodgers signed free agent outfield Bobby Abreu to a one-year $9 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Sid Gautreaux!

Dodgers Memorabilia at Lelands Current Auction

Lelands current auction, dubbed the "Steel Curtain" auction due to large number of Pittsburgh Steelers jersey's available, includes several fantastic Dodger items.  I'll highlight a couple of them here and focus on a group of other stuff from the collection of former Dodger pitcher Claude Osteen later on. 

A Right Handed Koufax Doll and Vintage Dodgers Cartoons at Hunt Auctions

Hunt Auctions out of Philadelphia is currently running their February online sale and it includes a bunch of great vintage Dodgers items.  In fact, there are well over 100 lots to go through.  Below are a few of my favorites.

Who doesn't love bobbleheads?  They might be the greatest fan souvenir ever made.  On the other hand, in this particular lot a vintage 1960's era "golden base" nodder is overshadowed by a doll that is well over twice its size.  Featured below is an Dodgers doll that is meant to represent the great Sandy Koufax; as evidenced by the #32 on the uniform.  Although, there is one glaring problem.  This doll is of an right-handed player.  As you surely know, Koufax was a lefty.  Nevertheless, I suspect the combined collecting power of the bobble and the doll will translate into a hefty price.

(Auction Link)

Check out this fantastic illustration that celebrates the 1956 World Series between the Yankees and Dodgers.  Unfortunately, the "Boys in Blue" lost the series in seven games.  The drawing was done by an artist named BROB.  I am unsure who this is.  If you happen to know please pass that along.

(Auction Link)

Below is an editorial cartoon by famed Los Angeles Examiner artist Karl Hubenthal.  It is undated, but undoubtedly is from the 1950's - when the Dodgers were still in Brooklyn.  As you can see, it has the sportswriters in mind as it celebrates the upcoming "subway series" between the Dodgers and Yankees.  After all, the folks covering the games won't have to do much traveling to do their jobs.  The cartoon includes the following little ditty:

East Side, West Side --
Back and forth across the town...
No worries about reservations,
Or sleeper jumps to get us down...
No stories to file from upper berths,
Or time-tables that blow our cork...
We can cover the series and not have to leave
The sidewalks of New York!!

(Auction Link)

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A Vintage Editorial Cartoon of Pete Reiser by Karl Hubenthal

Check out this fantastic original sports editorial cartoon created by the legendary Karl Hubenthal that I found on eBay.  It features former Brooklyn Dodger Pete Reiser, and celebrates his ascendancy as an coach for the LA Dodgers.  It likely dates from the early part of 1960.  (Click on the pic above to embiggen)

As you know, Reiser was one of the more popular and respected ballplayers in the game.  He played with everything he had, and often sacrificed his own body in the process.  Some might say he was reckless, but I think he was raised to never give up.  Leo Durocher said this of him:

"Pete had more power than Willie (Mays)—left-handed and right-handed both. He had everything but luck."

To prove that latter point, he recorded seven concussions and four fractures while on the field.  He was even given his last rites during a game.  Throughout nearly his whole career he was also hampered by a severe shoulder injury that he got whole playing ball for the Army during WWII.

"It wasn't as serious as the head injuries but it did more to end my career. The shoulder kept popping out of place, more bone chips developed, and there was constant pain in the arm and shoulder."

After retiring from playing he joined the Dodgers coaching staff.  He initially managed in the minors then served as a coach for Walter Alston in the early 60's.  Later on he joined Leo Durocher's staff in Chicago.

As for the cartoon above here are some excerpts to enjoy.

•  With Pete directing traffic, L.A. runners are bound to reflect the competitive fire he used to display on the basepaths...
• Injuries plagued Reiser throughout his playing career - He tangled with almost every fence in the curcuit - Collecting seven concussions and four fractures!!
• The ex-outfielder's greatest help to the Dodgers will be as a batting coach... His lifetime average in the Majors was .295.

The drawing was created by Karl Hubenthal.  For decades you could find his work within the pages of the Los Angeles Examiner/Herald Examiner.  Over his career he earned five Pulitzer nominations, the National Headliners Award and the Helms Foundation medal.

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REA: Some Dodgers Rarities

Following up my post from last week featuring the artwork of Dick Perez, here are some Dodgers collectibles I saw in the current REA Auction that I thought were notable. 

This is one classy looking ticket stub.  It is from the first game at Ebbets Field from the 1916 World Series that showcased the Brooklyn Dodgers against the Boston Red Sox. 

This ticket commemorates the very first World Series game ever played at Ebbets Field and also the first World Series win in franchise history. Brooklyn fans would have to savor it, for it was the team's only victory in the Series that year. Jack Coombs defeated Carl Mays 4-3 in front of 21,087 fans, which was the smallest attendance figure of the Series.

With an opening bid of $400.00, it has already jumped to $1,300.00 with 4 days to go.

(Auction Link)

I can never say no to putting up an original Willard Mullin drawing of the Brooklyn Bum.  From the auction description:

Originally published in the July 8, 1946, issue of the New York World-Telegram, the artwork pictures the iconic "Brooklyn Bum" singing a fanciful tune about heading to that baseball heaven known as the "Big Rock Candy Mountain" (more commonly known as the World Series).

There is also a unique inscription on the bottom.  Again, from the auction description:

"To Th' Best Tenant I Ever Hopet' Have - Uncle Karl." Although there is no additional documentation accompanying the piece, we strongly believe the "Uncle Karl" referenced here is famed cartoonist Karl Hubenthal, who was Mullin's protégé and lifelong friend.

Click on the pic to embiggen.

(Auction Link)

This is a very scarce 1897 large sized Cameo Pepsin Gum pin featuring the Brooklyn Base Ball Club.  They were affectionately called the Brooklyn Bridegrooms then.

(Auction Link)

SCP Auctions: Dodger Drawings

SCP is currently running an auction that ends next month, July 13th. It features a bunch of items related to Red Auerbach and his time as coach for the Boston Celtics. Since this is a SoCal blog I won't highlight those items, but if the Celtics are your sweet spot then I suggest going over there now. For this blog, I'll stick with a bunch of Dodger related original cartoons featured in their catalog.

First, here is a original drawing made by Karl Hubenthal, whose mentor was none other than Willard Mullin. He drew extensively for the Los Angeles Examiner for over 30 years. In this drawing he shows the Brooklyn Bum jumping from location to location looking for a home. At one point, the "Bum" wonders, "Could it be I should of stood in Brooklyn?"

(Auction Link)

The gems of this auction feature a whole bunch of original cartoons from Willard Mullin. In fact there are so many of them available I just can't post them all. So, I will feature some of my favorites below. As always, click any pic to embiggen.

Originally printed on September 1, 1962 in The Sporting News, this cartoon wonders aloud about how many potential 20 game winners there may be in Baseball that season. Don Drysdale is prominently features as the first 20 game winner as he direct Jeeves to set up a table for poker with some of his soon-to-be comrades.

(Auction Link)

Here, Mullin points to former Dodger outfielder Pete Reiser as the main factor in the Dodgers chances at a pennant that year. The Brooklyn Bum is being queried by a reporter,

"Is this our year? Or ain't it?
Ya gonna run those Cards outa th' league?
Tromple th' Jints?
Ruin th' rest of 'em?
Hang up th' flag at Ebbets Field?
How about it?"

Th' "Bum" jus' don't know.

(Auction Link)

In this drawing Mullin waxes poetically about how great and under-rated Dixie Walker is.

"Poor old second string Dixie!... He only led the league in RBI last year, and in hitting the year before"

Still, he's

"Not my kind of ballplayer,"

says Branch Rickey.

(Auction Link)

More Hubenthal Cartoons

Last week I wrote a post (see it right here) featuring a handful of editorial sports cartoons created by LA Herald Examiner cartoonist Karl Hubenthal. Having passed away in 1998, we unfortunately don't have the pleasure of enjoying any new work anymore. I can only imagine what he would draw today considering the turmoil existing with the team and ownership. On the other hand, the wonder of the internet allows us to explore some of his pasts achievements. Below are a couple of Dodger related cartoons I found at ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive. Click that website link to see even more.

Below is a two page spread ushering in the 1981 World Series with the Yankees.

(click the pic to enlarge)

This is for the Star Wars geek in all of us. Here, Hubenthal draws the 1980 All-Star game at Dodger Stadium as a match between the Empire vs. the Rebels. The National League had dominated the series by winning the last 21 of 23 games.

(click the pic to enlarge)

Brooklyn Had Mullin, LA Had Hubenthal

When you look through the eyes of many Brooklyn fans you would often see the team through the drawings of Willard Mullin. His cartoons helped define the team and propelled them to legendary lovable status. The artwork he created continues to stand the test of time and is a testament to the power an editorial cartoon can have. Not only that, he could make you laugh and smile.

In LA there hasn't quite been an artist out there to have the same influence as Mullin, but there sure have been some worthy artist worthy of inspection. One person to take note of is former LA Herald Examiner cartoonist Karl Hubenthal. In fact, he had worked with and considered Willard Mullin his mentor.

Fortunately, I recently ran into a handful of Hubenthal Dodger cartoons on eBay and thought I would pass them along here. They are all from the LA Herald Examiner.

Below, Hubenthal celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Dodgers in LA with the help of Mullin's Brooklyn Bum. The Bum states, "It Wuz Soitenly a Long Ways From Flatbush." The muscular LA Dodger responds with, "But Aren't You Glad You Came?"

(click the pic to enlarge)
(eBay Auction Link)

This cartoon is from April 8, 1981, and celebrates Opening Night against Houston.

(click the pic to enlarge)
(eBay Auction Link)

After winning the World Series in 1981, the LA Dodger rides into the 1982 season on his championship banner. It is from April 5, 1982 and ushers in the new Baseball season.

(click the pic to enlarge)
(eBay Auction Link)