Blog Kiosk: 1/6/2020 - Dodgers News & Links - Some Odds and Ends

Above is a 1947 press photo (eBay link) featuring today's birthday boy, Ralph Branca. Per the descriptor:

Yankee Stadium, Sept. 30 -- Opposing Pitchers -- Yankees Frank Shea (left) and Dodgers Ralph Branca, World Series opening game pitcher's shake hands before start of game here today.

As you may know, the Dodgers would not prevail. They would lose to the Yankees, 5-3, and eventually lose the series in seven games.

Below are links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1997 Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley publicly announces that the Dodgers are for sale. The O'Malley family had been in control of the franchise since 1950. As you know, the club would eventually be sold to the Fox Entertainment Group for $311 million -- at the time, the most ever paid for a professional sports franchise.
• Happy Birthday, George Shoch, John Corriden, Lee Walls, Ralph Branca & Marlon Anderson!

Blog Kiosk: 12/2/2019 - Dodgers Links - New Robinson/Shuba Statue to be Created

Mark this on your calendar. April 2021 will mark the 75th anniversary of the historic 1946 handshake between George Shuba and Jackie Robinson, and to honor it Youngstown, Ohio will unveil a statue to celebrate. Dubbed "the handshake of the century", they are aiming to raise $400,000 to complete the 7 foot statue. Go here to help out. Per a press release:

"A handshake at home plate by players of different races is no big deal in America today, but in 1946 it was a historic moment," said Herb Washington, a local businessman and one of the co-chairs of the committee. "We want to memorialize that moment in a way that inspires people to relate more respectfully to those of other races. We need more Americans to follow the examples of Jackie Robinson and George Shuba."
...
"In our book, George is quoted as saying he didn't think at the time that shaking a black player's hand was a big deal," said Greg Gulas, a retired Youngstown State University sports information director and another committee co-chair. "He had played with black and white guys at Chaney High School and in sandlot games in Youngstown for years. He shook Jackie's hand because he had just hit a three-run homer. George was proud to be Jackie's teammate for the Royals and the Dodgers, not because Jackie was black but because he was an incredible baseball player."

Photo above via RobinsonShuba.org -- "Connecticut sculptor Marc Mellon recently created a rough early study of the Robinson Shuba statue. Plans call for the Jackie Robinson and George Shuba likenesses to stand nearly 7 feet tall in the actual statue planned in Youngstown, Ohio." Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1971 the Dodgers trade Doyle Alexander, Bob O'Brien, Sergio Robles and Royle Stillman to the Orioles for pitcher Pete Richert and soon to be Hall of Famer Frank Robinson. Then, the Dodgers trade future MVP winner Dick Allen to the White Sox for Steve Huntz and pitcher Tommy John. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela is named the NL Rookie of the Year - the third consecutive year a Dodger has won this award. In 2008 Hall of Fame Dodger skipper Tommy Lasorda is honored in a special ceremony by the Emperor of Japan with the Order of the Rising Sun medal for his contributions to the development of Japanese baseball. In 2011 the Dodgers signed free agent starter Chris Capuano to a two-year $9 million contract. He would go 16-19 with an 3.91 ERA, 3.81 FIP and 7.2 K's per nine innings.
• Happy Birthday, Leon Williams, Chip Hale, Peter Moylan & Brett Eibner!

Blog Kiosk: 10/4/2018 - Dodgers Links - March to 11 Victories

It'll take 11 wins for the Dodgers to capture a championship, and tonight's starter, Hyun-Jin Ryu, will have an opportunity to get things started right. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“I’m very happy that the team trusted me, and I would like to say that I’m going to go full throttle from the very first pitch in the very first inning tomorrow, make sure that I get my job done as the starting pitcher and put the team in the position where it can win,” Ryu said.

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1955 the day Dodger fans had been waiting for finally happened. On this day the Brooklyn Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the World Series to win a championship for the very first time in its franchise's history. In 1959 the Dodgers won the teams very first playoff game in Los Angeles when they defeated the Chicago White Sox, 3-1.  92,234 fans attended the game at the LA Coliseum, setting a new record for attendance for a World Series game. This win put them up two games to one in the series.  They would win the World Series in the sixth game four days later. In 2006 the worst play in Dodgers playoff history happened (in my opinion) when two runners are thrown out at home plate on the same throw during Game 1 of the NLDS against the Mets. You can relive the horror here.
• Happy Birthday, Rip Ripulski, John Duffie, Mike Sharperson, Dennis Cook, Adam Riggs, Tony Gwynn, Jr. & Stephen Fife!

Blog Kiosk: 8/17/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fantastic in-action United Press photo featuring the first at-bat between Ralph Branca and Bobby Thomson after last season's "Shot Heard 'Round the World." (eBay auction link) Per the descriptor on the reverse:

This Time Thomson Walks

Renewing old acquaintances, Giants slugger Bobby Thomson, whose homer in the playoffs the last season gave the pennant flag to the 'miracle' team, faces Dodger hurler Ralph Branca for the first time this season. In their clash at Ebbets Field, April 19. It was Branca who pitched that fatal ball back in '51. This time Thomson walked. Roy Campanella is the Dodger backstop, and the plate umpire is Bill Stewart.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1982 the Dodgers and Cubs played a 17 inning game that was temporarily halted at a tie, 1-1, because of darkness (this was before Wrigley Field had lights). The next day they begin where they left off. The Dodgers would eventually win on a sacrifice fly by Dusty Baker in the 21st inning. In 1992 Dodgers hurler Kevin Gross no-hit the Giants at Dodger Stadium, 2-0. Watch the last out of the game, as called by Vin Scully, here. Per a NY Times article:

"The later it got, the more the adrenaline started pumping," Gross said. "It was just a blur when that last out was made."

• Happy Birthday, George Harper, Doug McWeeny, Joe Bradshaw, Boog Powell, Brad Wellman, Jeff Fischer & Kyle Farmer!

Shot Heard 'Round The World Relic Available at Goldin Auction

Dodgers fans both young and old know this story well.

In 1951 the Brooklyn team held a 13.5 game lead over the New York Giants with 44 games left to play. Remarkably, this lead wasn't enough. The Giants would pull off a monumental run that saw them win 37 of their final 44 games to pull into a tie with Brooklyn at the end of the regular season.

Quickly, a three-game playoff series was scheduled to determine the pennant winner. The Dodgers would lose the first game at Ebbets Field, 1-3, then win game two at the Polo Grounds, 10-0. The third and deciding game, played in upper Manhattan, came down to the wire. With the Dodgers leading 4-1 in the ninth the Giants rallied to score four runs to win, 5-4 -- with the dagger to the heart coming on a walk-off three-run home run by Bobby Thompson off of Dodger hurler Ralph Branca.

With that the "Shot Heard 'Round The World" was born.

Vintage Dodger Tunes: "Brooklyn Dodgers Jump"

I thought it would be fun to take a little detour. Instead of cards I thought I would spend some time to explore some vintage Dodgers-themed music.

I'm sure all of you have heard the classic tune "Follow the Dodgers", but have you ever heard of the "Brooklyn Dodgers Jump?" It is a little song that was sung by Ralph Branca, Carl Furrilo, Erv Palica and the Ebbets Field Chorus in 1949. You can check out an advertising for the record on the right that was found in a July 2, 1949 copy of Billboard magazine (p. 38).

As I was doing some background research I came across a fascinating story in the Hollywood Reporter about the man who helped set this deal up for the three Dodger players; as well as, represent numerous other ballplayers throughout the game.

Plenty of Dodgers Memorabilia at SCP Auctions

SCP is currently running their annual Spring auction and it includes plenty of shiny Dodgers hardware to drool over. First, though, I wanted to point to a couple of fantastic game-used items that stuck out to me. First of all, check out the pristine catchers glove above. It is a Roy Campanella gamer and comes from the family of former Dodger Carl Furillo. (Auction Link)

This next item has an unusual background and provenance. The Brooklyn cap on the right is purported to be a gamer once worn by Jackie Robinson and it was attained by a fan sitting behind the Dodger dugout. (Auction Link) Per the auction description.

He acquired it decades ago from an old friend who had owned the treasured keepsake since he obtained it himself in the seats behind the Dodgers dugout at Ebbets Field upon Jackie Robinson removing it from his head and casting it into the crowd. The cap was later bestowed upon our consignor, with this verbal history, as a means to settle a debt incurred by his friend. As with many such stories, they must be taken with a grain of salt, however, when the cap arrived at our offices we were taken aback by its compelling physical traits.

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.

Blog Kiosk: 3/17/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

During the old days ballplayers had to keep various side-gigs during the winter off-season.  Yogi Berra and Phil Rizzuto sold suits, John McGraw had a vaudeville show for a short time, and Waite Hoyt was a mortician.  Sometimes players spent their winter, especially if they were younger, going to school.  Proof of that is featured in the photo above.  It is a International News Photo taken by Hugh Broderick, dated Monday, October 11, 1947 of Ralph Branca getting back to the books less than a week after losing the 1947 World Series.  Per the descriptor on the reverse:

On the Mound for Fair Science
This studious young man engaged in a chemistry experiment in the laboratory of New York University is Ralph Branca.  Who, as pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the recent World Series against the New York Yankees, made his share of headlines.  Branca is a sophomore student at the university, majoring in physical education.

The above photo recently sold at RMY's auction (link here). Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1946 the Dodgers and Montreal Royals (with Jackie Robinson in the lineup for the first time) played a spring training game in Daytona Beach.  This marked the first appearance of an integrated club in organization baseball that century.  Four decades later they would rename the field in Daytona Jackie Robinson Ballpark.  In 1955 the Brooklyn Dodgers traded pitcher Erv Palica to the Orioles for infielder Frank Kellert.
• Happy Birthday, Whitey Ock, "Pistol" Pete Reiser & Bill Mueller!
  

Blog Kiosk: 3/7/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

Adrian Gonzalez got into his first spring game yesterday and celebrated the occasion by sharing a comic strip featuring himself with Dave Roberts and Justin Turner (see it above).  Batting fourth, Gonzalez grounded out to second base in the first inning and hit a fly-out to left in the fourth.  Per Owen Perkins at MLB.com:

"My swing's fine," Gonzalez said. "I was just trying to get a few at-bats before I head out, and today was a good start. They weren't that great of at-bats, but they were productive, I guess. The fact that everything feels good is all that really matters right now."

Comic graphic above via Adrian Gonzalez on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Doc Scanlan, Dan Griner, Merwin Jacobson, Dick Loftus, Joe Gallagher & Jeff Kent!

Blog Kiosk: 1/9/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic Sandy Koufax artwork found on the streets of Tel Aviv, Israel; pic via Jonathon Mayo on twitter.  It was part of a photo op for an upcoming documentary that follows the Israeli Baseball teams travels as they head towards the World Baseball Classic later this year.  Via Ben Fisher at the Jerusalem Post:

A group of 10 past, current, and future Major League Baseball players, including first-baseman Ike Davis and former outfielder Gabe Kapler, are in the country for a week-long tour that has seen them help to break ground at a new baseball field in Beit Shemesh, meet with MK Michael Oren, who hails from the United States, and enjoy the typical tourist sites around the country, including the Dead Sea, Masada and Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
...
“We brought [the players] here to have some kind of connection [with Israel]. That way, when the tournament actually starts in March, we’ll have people really, really excited about it,” she said.

Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Harley Payne, George Crable, Ivan de Jesus, Ferrell Anderson & Otis Nixon!
  

Blog Kiosk: 12/30/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Happy Birthday, Sandy!

Above is a 1967 vintage press photo of Koufax sitting in the broadcast booth for NBC.  As you know, he was a broadcaster for a short time after retiring from the game.  (eBay Auction Link)  I am unsure where exactly the photo was taken, but clearly it's not Dodger Stadium -- those terrace seats are all wrong.  The reverse of the photo makes some indication that this pic is from the 1967 All-Star Game in Anaheim:

National League trainer Bill Buhler had a special visit Tuesday -- Sandy Koufax, who made Buhler's method of ice packing pitching arms famous.

Koufax tossed only words on television in the 15-inning All-Star classic.  But Buhler, the Los Angeles Dodger and form St. Paul Saint trainer, was still working with pitching arms.

Of note, the reverse of the photo has a small news snippet attached stating:

Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Jose Morales & Sandy Koufax!

Blog Kiosk: 11/25/2016 - Dodgers Links - Cash, Sheffield and Ralph Branca

Here's a fantastic International News press photo, dated April 3, 1950, Ralph Branca while warming up on the mound during spring training at Vero Beach.  Pic above via eBay (link here).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1972 first baseman Wes Parker won his sixth straight Gold Glove Award.  He would retire at the end of this season.
• Happy Birthday, Octavio Dotel, Gene Bailey, Ben Wade &  Grant Dayton!

Blog Kiosk: 11/23/2016 - Dodgers Links - Bellinger, Vin Scully, RIP Ralph Branca

Clearly, in the photo above, Vin Scully is at a complete loss for words.  He, no doubt, understands the gravity of the honor that is being bestowed on him, and takes very seriously the solemn recognition it represents.  I am sure, as he stood next to the President awaiting the official presentation of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he is truly realizing the impact his little job as "an old broadcaster" has had on not only Baseball fans in Southern California but to Americans throughout the country.

(Vin Scully, pic via Jon SooHoo/Dodgers)

Congratulations, Mr. Scully.  It has been my honor to have grown up watching and listening to you spin your tales of life and Baseball.  Your dignity, humility and class, I dare say, is something that is often lacking in today's world.  You will truly be missed behind the mic, and this most recent honor is more than deserved.

You can go here to watch the entire ceremony -- it gets started at about the 46 minute mark.  You should also check out a bunch of fantastic photos taken by Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo here.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1960 outfielder Frank Howard is named the NL Rookie of the Year.  In 1962 Maury Wills is named the NL Most Valuable Player award winner.  During this season he broke Ty Cobb's stolen base record with 104 swipes. 
• Happy Birthday, Ross Stripling, Jesse Petty, Justin Turner, José González and Jimmy Sheckard!

Blog Kiosk: 10/3/2016 - Dodgers Links - Urias, Ethier and Vin Scully

Thank you, Vin!

BTW, the LAFD were first to welcome Vin back home after yesterday's game.  They performed their own unique salute at the airport to the retiring Hall of Famer.  Go here to watch a bit of it.  The photo on the right via the LAFD on flickr.

Photo at the very top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out a bunch of great pics from Vin's last here by Jon.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1951 Bobby Thompson of the NY Giants hit the most infamous home run in Dodgers franchise history.  He whalloped an Ralph Branca pitch in the ninth inning at the Polo Grounds for a walk-off victory, 5-4, during the deciding game of a three-game series to decide who would go to the World Series.  The homer has since been dubbed the "shot heard ’round the world."  In 2005 manager Jim Trace is fired by the Dodgers.
• Happy Birthday, Brock Stewart!

Some Dodgers Memorabilia at Goldin Auctions - A 1988 World Series Trophy

As you surely know, the start of the Baseball season also marks the beginning of the Baseball auction season.  Along with SCP's current spring offering (that's I've been highlighting of late), Goldin also has their own auction filled with some great Dodgers goodies.  Check out my favorites below.

(Auction Link)

Although the above 3-D mixed media piece celebrates an historic Baseball moment I'd rather not talk about, I do appreciate its artistry.  Featured in the photos directly above and below is an incredibly detailed item that highlights the "Shot Heard 'Round the World."   As you know, this is from an early-October game between the NY Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers in 1951.  It was a winner-take-all match to determine the pennant winner.  Unfortunately, the Dodgers would lose on an walk-off homer by Bobby Thompson against Ralph Branca.  The piece was created by Dianne Brunner, and has been signed by Thompson on the reverse.

Original Brooklyn Dodger Portraits by Susan Rini

I knew I recognized these from somewhere.

The other day I ran into these gouache on cardboard paintings at an Clean Sweep auction and couldn't help but think that they looked familiar.  Then it hit me.

These are some of the original drawings for those postcard and cachet sets made in the 1980's to early 1990's.  Collectors especially liked to have them autographed by these old timers - much like the Perez Steele postcards from the same time period.  Check out what a couple of the Rini postcards look like on the right. 

As I dug around a bit I found out they were created by artist Suan Rini as a part of a commission for Historic Limited Editions.  Check out the auction here.  They did not sell.

Featured original paintings include Rex Barney, Joe Black, Ralph Branca, Roger Craig, Carl Erskine, Al Gionfriddo, Gene Hermanski, Spider Jorgensen, Clyde King (2 diff.), Billy Loes, Podres/Throneberry, George Shuba and Chris Van Cuyk. 

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1947 Tip Top Bread - All the Dodger Cards

Continuing my quest to catalog, checklist and share pics of every Dodger card in the hobby (no doubt a lifelong endeavor) I now point to you a group of cards many collectors have scarcely come across.  Featured below is the complete 14-card Dodger team set from the 1947 Tip Top Bread set.

This is one of the toughest post-WWII sets to complete.  It is filled with short prints galore due to a distribution that saw regions only receiving teams in their geographical locations.  As such, cards for clubs like the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs are hard to come by while the New York area teams are easier.  Unfortunately, that doesn't mean that Dodger cards are cheap.  The general scarcity of the issue makes completing a team set a costly endeavor, and I hesitate to state a value even in VG condition for fear of coming out too low. 

Bob Bragan                                 Ralph Branca

Blog Kiosk: 10/30/2014 - Dodger Links - Congrats...

There's not much to add to the photo shown above.  It is one of Dodger photographer Barney Stein's greatest pieces of work, and it unmistakably conveys the feeling of loss, pain and sorrow.  This was the picture I had stuck in my mind when I finally came to the realization that the Giants had once again taken home the crown, and that I, like Ralph Branca in the photo above and many thousands of Dodger fans today, have to accept the notion that we have to wait 'til next year.

Fortunately, I know that soon after that fateful home run some 63 years ago a Jesuit Priest was able to put Branca's mind at peace by putting it in the proper perspective, and I take solace in knowing that it applies today.  Our faith is strong enough to endure what we have to face tomorrow.  So with that, I extend my hand in congratulations to this years victors.

Congrats, Giants.  You have no doubt built a dynasty worthy of the most hallowed halls of Baseball.

All I can add at this point is thank goodness that there will be another season - unless the zombies come, in which case I'll be grabbing my red handled machete in hopes of finding that cappuccino sipping hipster lookalike Terminite up north. Oh... And thank goodness for Kings hockey.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "The consolation prize."

But strength and character are not limited to one team per season. it’s not zero-sum. That the Dodgers fell short does not mean they are empty, bereft. Their season was not without meaning. And any idea that the Dodgers couldn’t win because of such and such a person is emphatically ridiculous.

I have no doubt that if you restarted the 2014 MLB playoffs with the same participants, they would yield a different result.

The World Series is absolutely the grand prize, the holy grail. The Dodgers’ goal, from the top of the organization to the bottom, from the clubhouse to the front office, was nothing less. Elimination was, and still is, a gut punch. My acceptance of tonight’s result is simply acceptance of the hole in my stomach.

• Mike Petriello at Dodgers Digest has, "Offseason Dates To Remember."  Here is a list of important dates to remember this offseason.
• Via Adrian Garcia at Lasorda's Lair, "Logan White's Departure Is Not Insurmountable."
• Sports Card Info gives us a look at the 2014 World Series Press Pins for each club.  They are apparently selling for big bucks.
• Carson Cistulli at FanGraphs takes a look at, "The Top 55 Free Agents."
• What Derek Harvey at Brew Crew Ball says, "Kansas City Royals minor leaguer's admonishment of Yordano Ventura; Update: Apology issued."

As truly horrible parts of American history are, now one of the great things about America is that it's a melting pot of many different cultures. Major League Baseball is a tremendous example of this. You can't find a single team in the MLB that doesn't have a player who originated outside the country. I love that.

To say something like Zeb did is just so completely ignorant it's shocking.

• Via Chris Olds at Beckett.com, "Bloomberg TV talks shop with Topps."
• Via Jon Rosen at LA Kings Insider, "Once again, Darryl Sutter (the Kings coach) shows his baseball love."  Unfortunately, he's a Giants fan.  Boo!
• A great moment captured and shared on twitter by LG Patterson.

A moment tonight that no one else but me and the World Series managers witnessed. pic.twitter.com/jgsfWDjE4k
— LG Patterson (@picturelg) October 30, 2014

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A Ralph Branca Topps Team Legends Auto'd Card for my Collection

I just absolutely love vintage looking Topps reprints autographed by olde-tyme Dodgers.  They are like flashbacks towards a more simple time, while at the same time incorporating the flare that is only found in modern Baseball card issues. 

For instance, take a look at this new card I just received from eBay.  It is a 2001 Topps Team Legends autographed card of Ralph Branca.  It uses the design from his 1952 Topps Baseball card, and has two different shiny gold foil stampings.  How fancy is that, eh? 

The reverse of the card is an exact recreation of the original 1952 card, save the copyright mark on the left corner and the hologram sticker proving the authenticity of Branca's autograph.

I do not quite know which Topps product this card originally came in.  From what I understand, Topps created "Team Topps Legends" autographed cards from 2001 to 2003, and inserted them in as many as fourteen different card brands.  In 2001, they could be found in six different card sets; including a non-sport heavy set called 2001 Topps American Pie.

Also, I came across a really great card while researching this set.  In 2001 Topps created a 50th Anniversary commemorative "The Shot Heard 'Round The World" buy-back card that was autographed by both Ralph Branca and Bobby Thomson.  The buy-back card was the 1991 Bowman "The Shot Heard 'Round The World" card #410, and were exclusively found only in packs of 2001 Topps Series 1 boxes.  I do not know how limited it is since it appears to be an unnumbered autograph insert card.  What I do know is that I have to find it for my collection.  I believe the card on the right is an example of it, but it is priced too high for my pocketbook. 

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