Even More Dodger Goodies at SCP Auctions

Last week I highlighted an incredible Vin Scully artifact (link here) that is available through SCP Auctions. It's his very first employment contract and it's currently at $8,577 -- nearly double what it was just a few days ago. Today, I thought it's be fun to take a look at some of the other Dodger stuff... And there's a lot of it.

For instance, there are nearly 20 different listings featuring Dodgers' game-worn uniform pieces -- from jerseys to pants. But none of those are as cool as the above highlighted 1959 Don Drysdale gamer (Auction Link). As you know, the Dodgers won their very first World Series title on the West Coast that season. It's currently priced at $12,100, at the time of this posting.

Is This the Holy Grail of Vin Scully Memorabilia? His First Employment Contract

I never, in my wildest dreams, ever thought something like this would end up at an auction. Heck, it's a travesty that it's even available for sale. This piece of history, no doubt an important relic of Dodgers history, needs to be in a museum. How it ever ended up in private hands, I can only speculate (I've heard rumors of various Dodger artifacts being pilfered several decades back).

Featured here, at SCP's current Summer Premier Auction, is the very first employment contract between Hall of Fame Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully and the Brooklyn Dodgers -- countersigned and initialed by the esteemed Branch Rickey. (Auction Link) Per the auction description:

How does one land his dream job? For starters, one must know how to ask. When an aspiring 22-year-old broadcaster named Vin Scully typed up this two-page letter to Brooklyn Dodgers President, Branch Rickey, in December 1949, he never imagined in his wildest dreams that he’d spend the next 67 years of his life with the same organization doing what he loves – what he was born to do. Of course, it wasn’t just the polite and humble manner in which Vin applied that impressed Rickey; the ambitious young man came with rave reviews from his mentor and current Dodger play-by-play man, Red Barber, who had recently recruited Scully to cover college football on CBS Radio. As fate would have it, Rickey signed the letter, which apparently turned into the official contract to hire Scully. And the rest, as they say, is history. Within just a few years on the job, Scully would take Barber’s spot in the Dodgers’ booth for good. Presented here is this very contract that started it all.

Some Dodger Goodies at SCP's Fall Auction

Ongoing is SCP's Fall Premier Auction and featured here are just a handful of Dodgers related memorabilia treasures I wanted to point out. First up is a complete game ticket to Sandy Koufax's 1965 perfect game. (Auction Link) It is just the second full ticket ever graded by PSA.

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.

Charles Fazzino Painted Baseballs of Clayton Kershaw and Sandy Koufax

If you follow this blog then you know that I love Dodgers related artwork.  You probably also know that I have an special appreciation for painted Baseballs. After all, is there a better way to meld art and the game then to draw on the thing that everyone on the field and in the stands focus on?

In the past I've had the pleasure of interviewing sports artist Monty Sheldon (link here) and have highlighted numerous balls painted by noted American folk artist George Sosnak (link here).  Today, I focus on a painted Baseball by New York based pop artist Charles Fazzino that I ran into when recently checking out SCP's current auction.  (SCP Auction Link)  Check it out above and directly below.

As you can see, the subject of this Baseball is Clayton Kershaw and it has been beautifully painted on all six panels, and even includes a signature by our ace.  As with all of Fazzino's work, this ball includes plenty of sparkles, bright bold colors and a 3D effect (check out the Dodgers logo above Clayton's signature in the pic above). 

Dodgers Memorabilia at SCP Auctions

Considering all of the hoopla directed at Vin Scully and his retirement, I thought the above 1947 National League Championship ring was worth noting.  It is available at auction through SCP, and represents one of many different Dodger related collectibles that are currently available.  (Auction Link)  The ring above had formerly belonged to Scully mentor and legendary Dodger broadcast Red Barber.  As you know, it was Red who hired and showed Vin the ropes.  Per the auction description:

It's a ring that originates from one of the most significant seasons in history; the year Jackie Robinson shattered baseball's color barrier. Not one to rest on his laurels, Robinson also led his team to the N.L. pennant (94-60) and won the inaugural Rookie of the Year Award that season. Barber was there for it all.

Below are several other Dodger items that I thought worth mentioning.

Memorabilia from Walter Alston's Estate at SCP Auction - Some Random Awesomeness

Here is a final look at some collectibles within the Walter Alton Collection sale at SCP Auctions, and I thought I'd begin with the above game-used equipment once belonging to Hall of Fame catcher Roy Campanela.  As a part of the auction descriptions for both lots shown above (Auction Link here and Auction Link Here):

Of all the players Walter Alston’s granddaughter Kim Ogle got to know growing up in the Dodgers family, her strongest bond was formed with Roy Campanella. Stoutly built in her youth, Kim favored the catcher position as a player herself. Her physical traits, style of play, and affection for her Dodgers hero earned her the nickname “Little Campy”.  Big Campy, knowing Kim from his many visits to the Alston home in Oxford, Ohio as well as her presence in the dugout and on the field as Grandpa would allow, returned her affection. As a token of that affection Campanella presented his young admirer with his glove, offered here, and his full set of catchers gear, offered in the following lot.
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It was during a visit to spring training in 1959 that Kim was presented these items from Campanella directly. 

Memorabilia from Walter Alston's Estate at SCP Auction - Tour of Japan Memorabilia

Being skipper of the Dodger had its perks.  Not only did Walter Alston get to manage some of the more legendary players in the game, but he also had the privilege to represent the club and his country overseas.

During his tenure with the franchise Alston had the opportunity to go on two "Tours of Japan" during the offseason, and he apparently kept everything he received in tip top condition, as evidenced by the vintage pennant seen at the very top (Auction Link Here).  Above is a large pennant from the Dodgers tour in 1956.  It measures 36 3/4" and looks like it was made yesterday.  It is as pristine as you can get, and as the auction description states it must have been a favorite of Alston's.  Although, by the looks of all the other "Tour of Japan" memorabilia he took great care to preserve everything.

Memorabilia from Walter Alston's Estate at SCP Auction - The 1955 World Champion Dodgers

I ended last week sharing some of the early memorabilia from the managerial and playing career of Dodgers Hall of Famer Walter Alston (link here).  As you know, a large portion of Alston's personal memorabilia is currently for sale at SCP Auctions, and you can view it all now.  Everything you can imagine is there; including his own personal billiards cue (Walt was quite a shark on the felt).   There are 130 different lots, and bidding starts tomorrow.  In the meantime, I thought I would take the next few days to highlight some of his collection.

Memorabilia from Walter Alston's Estate at SCP Auction - The Early Years

Holy moly!

Last time around SCP featured a giant collection from the estate of Dodgers Hall of Famer Don Drysdale.  Now they bring along another collection from a Dodger great. Featured here are some of the memorabilia that once belonged to Hall of Fame manager Walter Alston. 

Over the next few days I'll highlight several of my favorites.  The items shown here all relate to his early years as a player and a young rookie manager in Brooklyn.

Walter Alston Memorabilia from his Estate will be at SCP Auctions

After a hugely successful auction that featured collectibles from the estate of Don Drysdale, SCP now lets us know about their next auction.  They will be hosting memorabilia from the career of Hall of Fame Dodger manager Walter Alston.  Per SCP:

A single at-bat, which resulted in a strikeout, comprised the playing career of the late Walter Alston. But four World Series titles, seven National League pennants, and 2,040 regular-season triumphs later – all realized in a managerial capacity at the helm of the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers – cobbled his path to Cooperstown.

A native Ohioan, Alston earned the nickname “Smokey” in high school because of his blazing fastball. He attended Miami of Ohio University where he lettered in baseball and basketball before signing with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1935. In 1940, when it became apparent he wasn't in the Cardinals’ future plans as a player, Alston was given the opportunity to play and manage in their farm system. He was released by St. Louis in 1944, but was spotted by the keen eye of former Cardinals General Manager and then-Brooklyn President Branch Rickey who signed him to play and manage in the Dodgers minor league system. Following the ‘53 season, Brooklyn Skipper Charlie Dressen insisted on a multi-year contract to continue as Dodgers’ skipper. Brooklyn Owner Walter O'Malley balked at the demand and to everyone's surprise chose the little known Alston to pilot the club.

Don Drysdale Collection at SCP - Part V - Some Oddball Stuff

Here's a final look at some of the Don Drysdale items available at SCP Auctions.  Over the past couple of weeks I've written numerous post featuring this collection, and thought I'd wrap things up with a peek at some of the oddball Drysdale collectibles.  Check out my previous write-ups here, here, here, here and here.

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Following the 1956 season the Dodgers spent some time in Japan.  Having been invited by Matsutaro Shoriki, the "Father of Japanese Baseball", they played several exhibition games on the island.  Featured below is a Dodger themed kimono.  Each Dodger player in attendance received one, and they are personalized with each players name spelled out on the lapel in Japanese.  (Auction Link Here)  BTW, these games mark the last games played by Jackie Robinson in a Dodger uniform.

Don Drysdale Collection at SCP - Part IV - The Awards

No auction featuring personal items from an marque ballplayer like Don Drysdale would be complete without a peek at all of his awards, and as you can imagine he has plenty of great hardware.  Take a look at some of his best trophies below.

Directly below is Drysdale's 1962 Cy young Award.  (Auction Link)  This one piece alone has been the subject of some controversy.  As you may know, the Don Drysdale Collection is being sold by his widow, Ann Meyers Drysdale, over the public objections of his oldest daughter Kelly (from his first wife).  Per an AP story at ESPN:

"She has the legal right, but moral and decent right? Absolutely not," Kelly Drysdale said through tears by phone from her home in Hawaii. "It's not a very nice thing for someone to do. This is something that has caught me by surprise and is heartbreaking."
...
Now 56, the same age as her father when he died, Kelly Drysdale particularly wanted his 1962 Cy Young Award, which has a minimum bid of $15,000.

"That was the one thing that was proudly and prominently displayed in every house in which I ever lived," she said. "That was the first thing I asked if I could have and there was never a reply. These are things that have been in my family long before she ever met my father."

Whatever happens it is clear that this award will soon find a new home.  Hopefully, it'll be in a place we all can visit - like a museum, somewhere.

(Auction Link)

Don Drysdale Collection at SCP - Part III - The Streak

If there is one defining event that marks the greatness of Don Drysdale then it has to be "The Streak."  During the summer of 1968 Drysdale recorded a scoreless pitching streak that lasted 58 2/3 innings - a record that lasted 20 years.

Featured as part of the Don Drysdale Collection currently on auction at SCP are numerous artifacts that celebrate the accomplishment.  Directly below is the game ball from shutout #6 against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 4, 1968.  (Auction Link Here)  At this point he had recorded 54 scoreless innings by games end.

(Auction Link)

Don Drysdale Collection at SCP - Part II - In the Army Now

Following up on Friday's post featuring several Don Drysdale prep and minor league memorabilia items available for sale at SCP, I now look at some military-related collectibles.

(Auction Link)

It's easy to forget that even in the late-50's the country had a military draft in place.  The Reserve Forces Act of 1955 sought to improve National Guard and federal Reserve Component readiness, and ballplayers were not immune from conscription.  Per an auction description for the Drysdale US Army worn field jacket on the right:

In the fall of 1957, then-Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Don Drysdale, 20, found out via an early morning phone call from team General Manager Buzzie Bavasi that he had to enter into a six-month program with the U.S. Army Reserves or else he would be drafted into military service. Drysdale, along with Dodgers teammate Sandy Koufax, was destined to spend the next half a year in the U.S. Army Reserves at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

The Don Drysdale Collection at SCP - Part I - The Prep and Minor League Years

The 2016 Baseball auction season is about to start with a bang.  Officially opening up this coming Wednesday, April 6th is SCP's Spring Premier Auction, and as I mentioned in a post yesterday it includes over 160 different lots from the estate of Don Drysdale.  Everything you can imagine is there to look at.  In fact, there is so much stuff I'm planning on writing several different post to share my favorites.  Per a press release provided by SCP this morning:

According to Ann Meyers-Drysdale, Don’s widow, a portion of the proceeds from the auction will go to various Drysdale-supported charities. “We thought this through as a family and decided it was time to share Don’s most prestigious awards and memorabilia with the fans and the collecting community,” she said. “Plus, it provides us with a great opportunity to give back to many of the causes that were near and dear to Don’s heart.”

To start things off here are some items from his prep and minor league years.

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(Auction Link)

As you may know, Don Drysdale was a Southern California kid.  He graduated from Van Nuys High School and recorded a 6-1 record as a senior.  At right is his Senior Letterman Sweater from Van Nuys High School.  (See the auction link here) By many accounts, Drysdale was a known commodity and highly scouted.  Branch Rickey, who was working for the Pittsburgh Pirates at the time, knew all about the tall right-hander.  In a scouting report filed in June of 1954 he wrote:

A lot of artistry about this boy.  Way above average fastball.  It is really good.  Direction of the spin and the speed of rotation the same on all fastball pitches, - angle of delivery the same, stride is wide, and his body is in all pitches.  Fine pitching hand, and placement on fast and curve ball needs no coaching.  Let him along on all his fingering.  He is good.

Vintage Dodgers' Gamers and a Championship Ring at SCP Auctions

For Dodgers fans and collectors the upcoming SCP Auction is everything you could have hoped for.  It's filled with well over a hundred different items; including a massive collection of personal items from the estate of Don Drysdale.  Heck, it's almost breathtaking in its scale.  There's just so much to stare at.

Since I suspect I'll be putting up several different post focused on just the Drysdale stuff, I thought I would begin an cavalcade of posts by focusing on a few of the non-Drysdale items that caught my eye.  I promise to begin in earnest with the Drysdale goodies in a post tomorrow.

What could possibly be the best way to introduce an auction featuring Don Drysdale then to begin with a real honest-to-goodness game-used jersey of his left-handed teammate Sandy Koufax.  Below is a 1956 gamer signed by the "Left Hand of God."  (Auction Link)  I should add that Koufax gamers are impossible to find, and when they do come to auction they sell in the hundreds of thousands.  This particular jersey originates from the warehouse of Chuck Poehler, owner of Los Angeles based sporting goods manufacturer Goodman & Sons.

Blog Kiosk: 3/16/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kazmir, Piazza and Tacos!

Adrian Gonzalez declared "Taco Tuesday" yesterday afternoon.

With his eventually departure later that day for the WBC qualifying tournament in Mexicali for Team Mexico, AGon treated his teammates and Dodgers staff to tacos.  Check out part of the spread in the above photo tweeted out by the Dodgers.  Go here to check out Kiké's plate.  Via Matthew Moreno at Dodger Blue:

“He brought in tacos and they were really good, so that was nice,” Kiké Hernandez said of his day’s lunch.

Below are more links to check out:

• Scott Kazmir talk was all the rage yesterday.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers not yet concerned with Kazmir's velocity."

"He feels good," said Friedman. "I'd prefer a pitcher use Spring Training to build up. It's almost frightening when a guy is throwing harder as opposed to not as hard. He says he's fine, and I think he would say something if he wasn't. I'd prefer six weeks of building and getting ready instead of coming in on Day 1 and blowing."

• This is a fantastic story about a youthful Mike Piazza meeting the great Ted Williams.  Via Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily, "Card Show Trip Led to Piazza Meeting Ted Williams."  There's a video at the above link as well.

“I don’t remember much, just that intense feeling of panic,” Piazza laughed.

Piazza had a copy of Williams’ famous book ‘The Science of Hitting’ and had the last man to bat .400 sign it for him.

After watching a few swings in that cage, Williams paid the young Piazza quite a compliment.

“He said ‘this kid’s gonna hit in the big leagues’.  And I was like ‘really?’  He said ‘oh yeah’.  It was euphoric. You can’t even describe a moment like that.”

• This has been making the rounds with vintage collectors and Baseball historians of late.  The veritable "Magna Carta" of Baseball is going to auction soon at SCP.  Check out some info about it at SCP, here.  Also, the official Baseball historian John Thorn wrote about the documents here.  Needless to say, this is one of the more important finds to come along in a long time.
• Audio: Listen to former Dodgers Head Athletic Trainer Dr. Sue Falsone talk a bit about her time with the Dodgers and what she is doing now.  (Link Here)
• There appears to be some good news on the Time Warner/Charter Communication merger front.  Via Shalini Ramachandran and John D. McKinnon at the Wall Street Journal, "FCC Likely to Circulate Draft Order Approving Charter-Time Warner Cable Deal."  As I've indicated in the past, I do not believe there can be any movement in the Dodgers SportsNet LA coverage issue until this merger is completed.  Once that is done, I suspect coverage comes along soon thereafter.  Of course, the timing is all relative.  Soon might mean a few more months.
• So cool!

My cast is cooler than yours. : )#TeamRehab pic.twitter.com/XR387GYlBR

— Josh Ravin™ (@FreshSqueezed22) March 15, 2016

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The Don Drysdale Estate Collection is Coming to Auction in April

Several months back I was told by the folks at SCP Auctions that Dodgers collectors should expect to see something fantastic soon.  When I queried excitedly, they said the Don Drysdale Collection is coming.

I was shocked.

"Really?"

"Holy Moly," I exclaimed.

Next to the Kirk Gibson collection SCP sold several years back, this might be the greatest hoard of player memorabilia from a former Dodger player to come to the market in well over a decade.  Based on a handful of preview images provided so far, it looks like it'll include many of his best items.  Below is a small dose of what you should expect to see in a couple of months.

• Don Drysdale's 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers Game Worn Home Uniform from His Rookie Season

Vintage Dodgers' Minor League Championship Ring at SCP - Great Falls Electrics

Have you ever heard of the Great Falls Electrics?

Neither had I.

If your a student of the franchise then it's likely you've heard of the Great Falls Dodgers; who were an advanced rookie league club for the franchise in the Pioneer League for nearly twenty years starting in 1984.  What you probably didn't realize is that the Dodgers were previously affiliated with this farm team in the 50's, and that they were largely known as the Great Falls Electrics during that period.  BTW, for one season (1957) they were briefly known as the Great Falls Dodgers.

Featured in this post is an original 1954 Great Falls Electric Pioneer League Championship ring that is currently available on auction at SCP.  Check out the listing here.  That season the Electrics went 70-62 and included only two future Major Leaguers: Lou Rochelli and the very effective right-handed Dodger reliever Larry Sherry.  Although, Sherry did not pitch well for the Electrics in his four pitching appearances for the farm club.  He went 0-3, gave up eleven earned runs in 12.2 innings of work. 

The ring once belonged to longtime Baseball man Leonard "Len" Monheimer.  His affiliation with the Electrics isn't exactly spelled out in the auction description, but it appears likely that he worked in the front office for the club.  Per the auction description:

Monheimer got his start in baseball when he was hired by the New York Yankees first basemen, Babe Dahlgren, to manage his Ontario, California, team. As his career progressed, Len became the General Manager and/or Owner of many minor league baseball teams nationwide: he was Manager of the Stockton, California, and Douglas, Arizona, teams to start. He then became the General Manager and/or owner of the Portland Beavers, Charleston Charlies, Arkansas Travelers, Bakersfield Bears, Las Vegas Wranglers, Salem Dodgers, Davenport Browns, Peoria White Sox, Amarillo Gold Sox and the Augusta Pirates. He also worked as the Promotional Manager for the ill-fated Seattle Pilots, now known as the Milwaukee Brewers. Additionally, he had brief stints working in professional basketball with the San Diego Clippers and in professional soccer with the Portland Timbers.

That's quite a resume.  BTW, he was also an event staff supervisor at the LA Coliseum in 1959.  Len passed away in 2011.  Per an obituary found at Legacy.com:

Anyone who met Len rarely forgot him. He was not only tall in stature, but had a superb mastery of baseball facts and stories. He loved discussing baseball with everyone.

I bet I would have enjoyed sitting with him hearing his stories about the game.

On a side note, I came across an replica jacket and uniform jersey from the old Great Falls Electrics team, and thought they were too fantastic not to share.  Check them out below.  I found them through the Ebbets.com website.  On the left below is a 1954 (same year as the ring) wool jacket, and on the right is 1961 jersey.  As you can see, the general style of the emblem is very similar to the Dodgers. 

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