I know the last thing Dodger fans want to be reminded of is the 2018 World Series. After all, we were dealt a crushing and embarrassing blow that I think most fans would rather just forget. This, of course, tends to happen when you're only able to muster one victory in a series -- a win that we very easily could have and probably should have lost.
You know what game I mean.
It was during Game 3 that the Dodgers and Red Sox duked it out for 18 painstaking innings. A game where our premier closer couldn't finish. A game that saw 18 different pitchers take the mound. It was a game that only became winnable when an error committed by the eventually AL Gold Glove winner allowed us to tie the game.
If you haven't had a chance to see the NL Championship ring the Dodgers created after the 2017 season, well here's you chance. Featured is the very first ring from this season that I've seen for sale. It's at Paragon Auctions and it has an opening bid of $1,000 (Auction Link).
As you can see, the top is a rather plain. There's a diamond encrusted LA logo with 'National League Champions 2017' circling its circumference. The sides are far more interesting. One end includes that season's motto, "This Team!" and their regular season record (104-58). The other side has an aerial view of Dodger Stadium and the name of who this ring once belonged to -- Rafael Ozuna.
Yesterday I featured a fun letter written by Walt Disney to former Dodgers GM Buzzie Bavasi (link here). Today, I take a look at a couple other Dodgers related collectibles currently on auction at Paragon.
Once a upon a time, Walt Disney visited Dodger Stadium and tried to orchestrate a trade.
Don't believe me?
Check out this letter written by Walt to Dodgers GM Buzzie Bavasi that is found at Paragon Auctions current offering (Auction Link Here). He writes, dated May 22, 1962, the following:
Do you still smile with joy when the phrase "game over" is heard? Did you own one of those goofy t-shirts with a fake blue beard hanging off the front portrait of our record breaking closer? Wasn't it a marvel that for several years the most important, and most exciting, part of any game was that last inning?
Everyone would stand. Your voice grew hoarse with every pitch thrown. He'd whirl and spin his right leg around as if it were one of the bats that failed to connect. And if you were lucky you'd see a little hop after he released a pitch - that's when you knew he threw a good one.
Eric Gagne was a steamrolling locomotive - coming out of nowhere to capture the imaginations of every True Blue Dodger fan in the country. When he strolled to the mound you knew... just knew... something remarkable would happen. And oftentimes something incredible did happen.
For three seasons, from 2002 to 2005, he was the best closer the game had ever seen. He recorded 84 consecutive save opportunities and became the fastest pitcher to ever record 100 saves in his career. Eric Gagne was fantastic, and regardless of the stain PED's eventually put on him, I will always remember fondly what he accomplished in Blue.
Featured in this post is a collection of items coming directly from Eric Gagne that are currently available for sale through Paragon Auctions. Below is his game-worn glove that he wore for much of his save streak - from save #1 to 2004. Check out the auction item here.
It is sign and inscribed, as you can see below.
Also available are his three All-Star Rings that span from 2002 to 2004:
