Blog Kiosk: 3/12/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Tony Gonsolin has been turning heads at the Dodgers camp -- and not just because he fancies cat t-shirts. Rather, he's been lights out during his three appearances this spring, pitching six scoreless innings. Overall, the 25-year old has struck out five, walked none and batters are hitting a paltry .190 off him. Per Matt Borelli at Dodger Blue:

“Minor League Pitcher of the Year, he has a four-pitch mix, he can throw his secondaries for strikes when he needs to, he’s a tough competitor, he’s very intelligent, and the stuff is real,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts answered when asked for his evaluation of Gonsolin. 

“For me to be able to put eyes on him, our coaching staff, was good. The way he carries himself in the clubhouse is very mature.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Pic on the right via Gonsolin on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1989 the Dodgers traded outfielder Mike Devereaux to Baltimore for starting pitcher Mike Morgan. Morgan would stay in LA for three seasons -- compiling a 33-36 record with an 3.06 ERA, 3.38 FIP and a 1.162 WHIP. In 2003 Mets catcher Mike Piazza charged the mound to go after Dodgers reliever Guillermo Mota during a spring training game at Thomas J. White Stadium in Port St. Lucie, FL. Mota plunked Piazza on the shoulder, so Piazza stormed after him -- even going so far as to enter the Dodgers clubhouse following the game. Both players would be suspended five games. Per Mike DiGiovanna at the LA Times:

"Where's Mota?" Piazza screamed, checking the trainer's room. "Where's Mota?" he yelled, walking through the clubhouse. Once he realized Dodger reliever Guillermo Mota had left, Piazza walked out the back door, got into his car and sped off.

• Happy Birthday, Frank Schneiberg, Bob Barr, Jim Wynn, Darryl Strawberry, Shawn Gilbert, Steve Finley, Raul Mondesi & Greg Hansell!

A Dodgers-Mets Connection at Lelands Auction

I thought this would be fun to share -- even if it's not entirely about the Dodgers.

The New York Mets played their first season of Major League ball in 1962, and in order to create excitement and interest within the community management reached out to several former Brooklyn players. They signed up former Brooklynites Charlie Neal, Don Zimmer, Roger Craig, Billy Loes and the great Gil Hodges. Then they had Casey Stengel skipper the troupe.

As an homage to both the ol' Brooklyn team and the new New York club noted Daily News sports cartoonist Bill Gallo created the above image, and as you can see it also includes an outline of another old Brooklyn friend -- the Dodgers Bum originally created by Willard Mullin. (Auction Link) BTW, the jovial looking man in the background is Mets GM George Weiss.

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Some Dodgers Memorabilia at Heritage Auction

Here is another vintage sports auction from Heritage Auctions, and it includes several fantastic Dodger memorabilia items.  My favorite might be the above 1957 Brooklyn game-used road jersey of Pee Wee Reese.  (Auction Link)  This is from the Dodgers last year at Ebbets Field.

Blog Kiosk: 2/10/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This will soon be a daily activity at Camelback Ranch.  Featured above is a vintage UPI press photo of veteran reliever Roger Craig (yes, the former Giants manager) getting some work inside a batting cage at Vero Beach, dated February 23, 1961 (eBay Auction Link).  Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Roger Craig of the Los Angeles Dodgers lays down a bunt during batting practice at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla.  Keeping a watchful eye on the batters is Leo Durocher, standing behind the batting cage.

Can you already imagine the sight, sounds and smell of the game?  I can, and I couldn't be more happier.  Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, John L. Smith, Kit McKenna, Randy Jackson, Jack Fimple, Hiroki Kuroda, Cesar Izturis & Luis Cruz!
  

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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Campanella's Contract, Labine's Lifetime MLB Pass and Roger Craig WS Watch at REA

Following up on yesterdays post featuring some Brooklyn Dodger relics from Ebbets Field and the front office, I now share with you some player related memorabilia to gawk at. 

Below is Roger Craig's 1955 Dodgers World Series Championship watch.  For the Dodgers very first championship each player received a ring and a watch.  Unlike the rings, very few of these watches remain.  Check out the auction here.

(Auction Link)

(Auction Link)

How great would it be to be a bearer of one of these? 

All Major League ballplayers with a certain amount of playing time within the league (I'm uncertain what that is today 8 years for players and 25 years from front office executives) receive a Lifetime Pass to enter into any Major League Baseball game, and below is former Dodger Clem Labine's pass.  It was given to him in 1959.

These items are certainly unique and highly desirable to collectors.  It is the size of a credit card and is made of metal.  The one's I've seen at card shows are far more shinier than this one.  As the auction description states, this pass has moderate tarnishing, including surface blemishes.  No doubt it was well used by Labine.

(Auction Link)

Last year, Roy Campanella's player contract for the 1947 season with the Nashua Dodgers came up for sale (you can see my post about it here), available at REA today is his 1946 Nashua Dodgers contract.  Check it out below.  This is his very first contract with a Major League affiliated club.

Per the auction description:

The one-year agreement calls for Campanella to receive a salary of $185 per month for the 1946 season. However, in addition to his monthly salary, a special clause grants Campanella a bonus of $2,400, payable in unequal quarterly installments. That bonus is important, because otherwise his monthly salary would have amounted to just $1,100 for the season, which was $2,000 less than we was making as a member of the Elite Giants in the Negro League the year prior. 

The following year, 1947, he was granted a monthly raise to $250.00.  BTW, the 1947 contract sold for $7,170 through Heritage Auctions last year.

(Auction Link)

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Blog Kiosk: 12/1/2014 - Dodger Links - A Scharfman Photo of Some Brooklyn Dodgers and Scully's Greatest Calls

Above is another fantastic vintage press photo that I ran into on eBay.  Go here to check out that auction.  It is an International News Photo taken by noted photographer Herb Scharfman, dated 8/12/1956.

Scharfman is considered one of the greats in sports photojournalism.  He started out with International News Photo then moved on to Sports Illustrated.  His photograph of Rocky Marciano's knock-out punch of Joe Wolcott in 1952 is considered one of the most iconic photos ever taken (see it here), and he is noted for chronicling Roger Maris' pursuit of Babe Ruth's home run record in 1961.  Strangely, he may be more famous today for a photo he did not take, but is instead in the middle of.  He is the photographer seen between Muhammad Ali's leg when he stands over a knocked-out Sonny Liston in a 1964 rematch.  You can see that photo here.

As for the photo above it includes the following caption that was attached to the reverse:

Winning Combo

Brooklyn, NY... Winning Dodger combination that helped rout Robin Roberts and the Phillies, 7-3, today make a happy picture in Ebbets Field dressing room.  From left are Carl Furrillo who hit two homers, winning pitcher Roger Craig, and Pee Wee Reese and Randy Jackson, who hit a homer each as their share in the Philly Defeat.

This win kept the Dodgers 1.5 games behind the Milwaukee Braves.  Below are some links to check out:

• Via Mark Townsend at Big League Stew, he shares his favorite Vin Scully calls on his 87th birthday.  Then, Michael Clair at Cut4 shares his favorites, "Celebrate Vin Scully's 87th birthday with some of his greatest calls."
• So, Kershaw was at the LA Auto Show this past weekend.  Via David's Autograph Signings, he was there and shared a bunch of photos to prove it.
• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "The second biggest disappointing moment of 2014."

“That was a really tough play,” Kershaw said. “I think under normal circumstances that’s pretty close to a hit. [Corey] Dickerson’s really fast and Hanley did all he could, he made a great play and just throws a little wide, so there’s nothing you can do with that. It was a tough play.”

• Via Stacie Wheeler at Lasorda's Lair, "Dodgers Lose Two Minor League Catchers This Offseason."
• Via Oscar Martinez at Lasorda's Lair, "Remembering Hanley Ramirez Through Cardboard."
• You've no doubt heard about and seen the new Star Wars 'The Force Awakens' movie trailer, but have you seen the Lego version?  Watch it below.

Video Link:

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Newport Sports Museum Auction - Your Last Chance to Visit is Today and Tomorrow - Check out Some of my Photos of the Museum

Last night, I was invited to a little gala at the Newport Sports Museum.  As you know, the museum is closing its doors and had hired SCP Auctions to sell its wares.  This month is the first of 4 auctions that have been planned.  BTW, if you've never had an opportunity to visit this place you'll have a couple of last chances later today and tomorrow - I'll have more on that later.

I had previously featured numerous Dodger items last week on this blog.  You can check out those stories here and here.

The event was setup to show off the current auction, included numerous displays that had yet to be taken down and served as a social function for the area.  So, I had an opportunity to enjoy the sights one last time, and saw numerous VIP's in attendance; such as Peter Ueberroth and Magic Johhnson.

John Hamilton, the proprietor, opened the museum 20+ years ago in order to share his collection with the masses.  He also realized that it could provide an avenue for at-risk children to meet with their favorite athletes.  Stars, such as Magic, would welcome kids with a smile and a high-five, while also teaching them the importance of staying in school and not doing drugs.  Over the past 18-years, John figures they've catered to over 100,000 children, and have no doubt affected countless lives.

Thankfully, I was allowed to take photos as I walked around, so take your time and check them out below.  First, I take a look at the auction items that were on display.  Later on, I share photos from the museum that they have yet to take down, but are likely to be available for sale in the future.

As I promised earlier, the museum is officially closed to the public, but there remains two last opportunities for you to check it out.  They are opening the museum to the public later today and tomorrow as a showcase for the current auction and a final look at the museum.  It is free to the public, so if you can find the time I suggest getting your butt down here.  Below is the schedule and address.

Thursday: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Friday: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

100 Newport Center Drive – Suite A
Newport Beach, CA 92660

Now, on to the photos.  Click any pic to embiggen.  You can check out the auction online here.

I don't think these items need much of an introduction.  Here are the game-used jersey's of Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale.  To the right of the Drysdale jersey is a 1924 New York Yankees team sweater worn by Whitey Witt.

Unfortunately, my photo of the Jackie Robinson and Babe Ruth autographed Baseballs below came out fuzzy.  On the bottom right is an amazing letter written by Lou Gehrig to his doctor at the Mayo Clinic.  He had the will of a fighter; as he lets the doctor know how positive he feels about the current treatment.  At the same time he shares his gratitude for the doctors help.  It's an amazing read and worth your time to explore.  You can check it all out here.

Below are Dodger scout Don Gutteridge's championship rings.

Go Kings Go!  On the bottom left is a signed Wayne Gretzky Jersey, and on the right are Roger Craig's 1956 National League Championship Brooklyn Dodger cufflinks.

Here are a bunch of stuff in display shelves.  There are some game-used hockey uniforms, Satchel Paige's passport, a Babe Ruth watch and game-worn basketball shoes.

That's it for auction items.  Now, I share some photos from the museum.  Again, click any pic to embiggen.

Go Kins Go!!!

I absolutely loved the Kings room.  Wow!

There was a Ducks room, too.  In fact, there was a bunch of hockey stuff all over the place.

Here are some vintage football items.

Golf also had a prominent display.

There was even a little room devoted to some of the more modern sports. 

To the left (below) is a Paul Rodriguez board, and to the right is a Bob Burnquist board.  Both of these guys are legends.

Surf's up, bro...

Here are some miscellaneous dispalys - some game-used football uni's, Olympics and college sports.

Outside of the museum, at the entrance, were some statues of children playing.  I do not know who was the original artist, but I thought they were great looking.

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