Blog Kiosk: 1/4/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out Sal "The Barber" Maglie getting a big smooch from his catcher, Roy Campanella, in the above September 25, 1956 United Press photo. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

MAGLIE NO-HITS PHILS, 5-0, Brooklyn, N.Y.: Brooklyn Dodgers catcher Roy Campanella plants a big kiss on the cheek of pitcher Sal Maglie in the dressing room here Sept. 25, after the 39-year-old Giant cast-off hurled a no-hit, no-run game against the Phils to move the Brooks to within a half game of the league-leading Milwaukee Braves.  The 5-0 win was the first no-hitter in Sal's long career, and he is the oldest hurler since Cy Young to pitch a hitless game."

Photo above via eBay (link here). Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1957 the Dodgers, Walter O'Malley, purchased a 44-passenger twin engine airplane for $775,000. They would be the first team to own their own plane. In 2001 the Dodgers signed free agent reliever Giovanni Carrara. In 2006 the Dodgers received Tim Hamulack and Jae Weong Seo from the Mets in exchange for Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll.
• Happy Birthday, Eddie Zimmerman, Herman Franks, Tommy Corcoran, Bart Shirley, Charlie Manuel & Ted Lilly!

Voodoo Doll to Hex Brooklyn Dodger Pitcher Sal Maglie

Spooky!

Fans will do anything to guarantee a victory. Heck, as evidenced by this thing found on eBay (eBay link), folks will even dabble in the dark arts. 

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.

Blog Kiosk: 11/22/2014 - Dodger Links - Jackie Robinson, Kershaw's New Home and a Bob Miller Documentary

UCLA honored Alum Jackie Robinson yesterday afternoon by naming their athletics facilities the Jackie Robinson Athletics and Recreation Complex.  Jackie's wife, Rachel who was also a graduate in nursing at UCLA, was on hand to celebrate the event.  In the photo above she is standing with Chancellor Gene Block, pic via @UCLAAthletics on twitter.  Via Jason Dratch at the Daily Bruin:

“UCLA was the place where our lives together began and where many of our values and goals were established,” Rachel Robinson said. “Jack was very proud to be Bruin. We thrived in this university that supported our goals and achievements.”

During his speech, Block focused on the influence that Robinson still has on the UCLA community today.

“This is a place about people and people’s impact on the world,” Block said. “Over the course of the last century, UCLA students and facility have distinguished themselves as barrier breakers, transforming our world through discoveries and actions that pushed past previously established limits of knowledge and societal conventions.”

Below are some more links to check out:

• Newest Dodger Adam Liberatore is on twitter.  You can follow him here: @adamlib21.
• Via Jennifer Karmon at Spaces on Yahoo, "Clayton Kershaw buys family-ready home base in Los Angeles."  Wow!  He's got quite a nice place in Studio City now.

Clayton Kershaw and his wife, Ellen, purchased a house in the Valley for $4 million, scarcely 10 miles from Dodger Stadium. The high school sweethearts (dating back to ninth grade!) are expecting their first child, a daughter, in January.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Joc Pederson done with winter ball."
• Via Mark Langill at Dodger Insider, "1956: Don Newcombe, Sal Maglie and Brooklyn’s last hurrah."
• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, Clayton Kershaw on collectors’ Mount Rushmore."  Kershaw cards have taken off in value of late.  

“He has been so spectacular that you realize this is a guy who’s going to be around for a long time,” (Rich) Mueller said. “You look at Sandy Koufax, who retired in 1966, what he accomplished in his short period of time. Kershaw, if he stays healthy, is going to surpass some what Koufax did, which is unconscionable.”

• In early December a documentary about LA Kings announcer Bob Miller will open at Regal Cinema L.A. LIVE (across the street from STAPLES Center).  It'll begin on December 5th and will run for a minimum of one week.  All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Kings Care Foundation.  The documentary is called "Voice of the King."  Below is a trailer.  Go here for the website.

Video Link:

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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 2/18/2013

It was photo day for the Dodgers yesterday.  Check out a bunch of pics at Zimbio.  The above pic is of Zack Greinke: Source: Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America.

• Josh at '9 Inning Know It All' shares a 2 part interview he conducted with Carl Erskine.  Part 1 and Part 2.

I’m going to name a few players, please describe them for us.
1. Pee Wee Reese- A solid professional, our Capt. He was an extension of the manager on the field. A little older than some of us and had already been in the league before us. We were freshman, he the senior. When Pee Wee died at age 81 a New York paper headlines read “this Pee Wee was a giant”

• Check out Jon SooHoo's pics from yesterday, here.
• I hate to write his name here again, but Frank McCourt just gave a sizable political donation to LA Mayoral candidate Wendy Greuel, via Kevin Roderick at LA Observed. 
• Via Dave Anderson at the New York Times, 'Can Rivals' Hatred Become Teamates' Amity?  It's Happened.'

Of all the Dodgers, Furillo, in particular, didn’t like the Giants. He didn’t like Leo Durocher, their manager. He didn’t like Maglie, the Giants ace known as Sal the Barber for how his pitches shaved opposing batters’ chins.

• Clayton Kershaw's wife, Ellen, is organizing a Dodgers Spring Training ping pong tournament.  As Clayton says, "Best Wife Ever!"

(twitter link)

• RIP, Jerry Buss.  You were a Champion!  Craig Minami at True Blue LA gathers up some Dodger reactions to his passing.
• JP Hoornstra with the LA News Group shares a schematic on twitter of the new Dodgers clubhouse.  

Schematics of (top) old Dodgers clubhouse, (middle) new Dodgers clubhouse, (bottom) overlay of the two.

(twitter link: JP Hoornstra)

• Sandy Koufax arrives at Spring Training, and discusses the Dodgers' pitching staff and the art of pitching in the video below, via Dodgers.com.

Video Link:

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eBay: A Kiss and Some Awards

There really is nothing better than vintage press photos. Here are a couple on eBay I thought worthy of highlighting.

Here is pitcher, Sal Maglie getting a wet one from Roy Campanella. This is written on the reverse.

"MAGLIE NO-HITS PHILS, 5-0, Brooklyn, N.Y.: Brooklyn Dodgers catcher Roy Campanella plants a big kiss on the cheek of pitcher Sal Maglie in the dressing room here Sept. 25, 1956 after the 39-year-old Giant cast-off hurled a no-hit, no-run game against the Phils to move the Brooks to within a half game of the league-leading Milwaukee Braves. The 5-0 win was the first no-hitter in Sal's long career, and he is the oldest hurler since Cy Young to pitch a hitless game."

(Auction Link)

After the flurry of recent Dodger awards this photo seems very appropriate.

"DODGERS' AWARD WINNERS-----Brooklyn, N.Y........ Brooklyn Dodger pitchers Don Drysdale, (left) and Don Newcombe display awards they received before today's opener at Ebbets Field. Drysdale received the "Harold C. Burr Award" as the outstanding Dodger rookie of 1956. Newcombe received the "Cy Young Award", as baseball's best pitcher last season and the "Most Valuable Player Award" of the National League."

(Auction Link)

eBay: Dodgers Preparing for the World Series

Here is a great 1956 New York Times press photo, dated October 2. From the press clipping on the reverse:

Dodger preparations for the World Series. The Dodger starting lineup. Left to right: Roy Campanella, Carl Furillo, Gil Hodges, Sandy Amoros, Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, Pee Wee Reese, Junior Gilliam, Sal Maglie and Walter Alston.

(eBay Auction Link)

Baseball by the Letters

Writing a letter is a lost art. When was the last time you sent a letter to a close friend or distant relative? Anyone have a pen-pal you correspond with regularly? I don't mean those folks you have friended on facebook. I mean actually sending a note, written in your own hand, through the mail.

I realize that this is foreign to most kids today. After all, in todays' world why bother putting it down from pen to paper when you can just send a quick email with all of the shorthanded jive and immediate response it brings?

I'll tell you this, though, when you send a nicely written letter to an old-time Baseball player you might be surprised at the response you get. Last year, I wrote a large number of post focused on fan letters written to former Dodger players. Check out my Dodger Correspondence label to check them out. Another, even better resource, is a new blog called "Baseball by the Letters" written by Tom Owens which focuses almost exclusively on the art of the fan letter. Check it out here.

In fact, for the Dodger fan you should check out Tom's series of post focused on a lengthy letter he recently received from former Los Angeles Dodger hurler Stan Williams. When asked about his favorite home run (Williams hit 5 as a Dodger which is pretty good for a pitcher) he responds with a great story about hitting one off of Sal "The Barber" Maglie. Let your imagine run wild as to why they called him "The Barber." Read it here. Here is a teaser,

"Now at the plate, Maglie threw 2 curves, both strikes, then facing home plate, both hands in air, he called 'time out.' "

Be sure to read it all, it had me laughing real good. There is also a part 1 to Stan Williams letter, here, that is a bit enlightening considering the Kershaw fiasco the other day.

"If someone needed to be hit, you got him in the ribs or butt."

Tom promises more from the pitcher in the near future.

Dodger Correspondence: Our Congratulations

The more I find out about the Brooklyn borough and their affection for the Dodgers the more amazed I become. They really loved their team and their players.

On September 25, 1956, Sal Maglie, known as Sal the Barber for his propensity to throw inside, threw a no-hitter. As soon as the hometown faithful found out they went to all lengths to congratulate the hurler.

Recently on eBay examples of this came up for bid. Below are a series of congratulatory telegrams sent to Maglie.

eBay Auction Link: Maglie Telegram:

There never was a better one pitched, either, because nobody really got his bat on the ball and there wasn't a hard chance. -Carry Schumacher

Sal was very dominant that evening. He walked two and hit one batter.

eBay Auction Link: Maglie Telegram:

The below telegram gets right to the point.

Congratulations Sal on your no hitter, now do it to the Yankees in the World Series. -Al St. Onge

eBay Auction Link: Maglie Telegram:

The series of 3 videos below are really special. It includes audio from the last inning of Maglie's no-hitter and features the voices of Jerry Doggett and Vin Scully.

YouTube Link: FloralParkKid Part 1:
Part 2.

YouTube Link: FloralParkKid Part 2:
Part 3.

YouTube Link: FloralParkKid Part 3:

Too Many eBay Finds

eBay is once again is filled with some treasures.

I had to start off this post with this 5x7 photo of Nate Oliver. Not because of its rarity (It's not, I don't think), but because of those glasses. Wow. If anyone knows were this pic comes from please let me know. I suspect it came from a picture pack sold at the stadium souvenir stands.

eBay Auction Link: Nate Oliver Pic:

Below is probably a fan-made period photo on cardboard memorabilia item of Zach Wheat celebrating his 3rd place finish for the batting title (he batted .359) during the 1925 season. It measures 6"x8" and is currently priced at $10.99.

eBay Auction Link: Zach Wheat Photo:

For much of the 50's (and possibly the 60's, as well) fans were mailed facsimile autograph sheets of the entire team upon request. They were fairly popular and can be found today at very affordable prices. This one is bidless at a very affordable opening price of $1.99.

eBay Auction Link: 1956 Autograph Sheet:

This silver plated bowl came originally from the estate of Sal Maglie. It commemorates his no-hitter on September 25, 1956 against the Phillies. It has an opening price of $899.00.

eBay Auction Link: Sal Maglie 1956 No Hitter Silver Bowl:

This is something you don't see everyday, and considering its bid prices right now I think the market agrees. Below is a 1938 Brooklyn Dodgers game ticket from game #3 celebrating a oddity called "Night Baseball." As of this writing it is already up to $330.00.

eBay Auction Link: 1938 Brooklyn Dodgers Night Game Ticket:

It's amazing what people collect. Here is a 1954 college yearbook from the University of Cincinnati that has a famous alum named Sandy Koufax. (I shouldn't be talking, I have a couple of college yearbooks featuring Jackie Robinson) The seller is asking $100.00.

eBay Auction Link: 1954 U. of Cincinnati Yearbook with Koufax:

This, by far, the rarest item featured in this post. Below are several advertising posters, measuring approximately 36" x 24", of the 1958 Bell Brand Chips Baseball card set. The seller is asking a very healthy $13,000.00 for the group.

eBay Auction Link: 1958 Bell Brand Advertising Posters:

Videos: If You've Got Time to Waste

Here are 2 videos of the recently unveiled Sports Museum of Los Angeles.

YouTube Videos: SoCalShooter:


YouTube Videos: losangelestimes:

Watch Snider and Maglie fool the guessers on "What's My Line."

YouTube Video: crepehanger47:

Meet Sue Falsone. She is a Dodger physical therapist and first woman in Baseball with that job.

SUE FALSONE, DODGER'S PT first female physical therapist in ML baseball @ Yahoo! Video

YahooVideo Link: cobrandit:

eBay: 1950's Era Fan Photos of a Dodger Spring Training

I thought that this particular eBay auction deserved its' own post. It features some incredible photos taken by a fan in the late 1950's. They are black & white and feature some of the greatest Dodgers to ever put on the uniform. Heck, even our red headed broadcaster is featured.I love these kind of photos. They hardly resemble a professional feel, but instead captures the innocence a fan experiences in the stands. In this case, a fan has taken photos at both Vero Beach, Dodgertown, and Ebbetts Field in Brooklyn.

This has been a growing segment of the hobby. Many collectors have chosen to chase after these gems since they are often one-of-a-kind.

Above are photos of Vin Scully, Pee Wee Reese, Sal Maglie and Johnny Podres. Below are Roy Campanella, Duke Snider and Carl Furillo.I had made several bids to win this item, but I grossly underestimated the demand. The group of 7 pics sold for $58.89.

HYee Auctions: Photos Galore

HYee had another great treasure trove of vintage photographs on eBay. There were so many great items to pick through I just could not showcase a couple.

Below is a October 10, 1916 George Bain photo of the Brooklyn Robins (Dodger) dugout during the Dodgers first World Series against the Boston Red Sox. Skipper Wilbert Robinson, Hi Myers and the team mascot watch the game. It closed at $291.86.

Auction Link: Myers, Robinson & Mascot:

Here is a team photograph of the 1916 National League Pennant winning Brooklyn Robins. It sold for $214.50.

Hall of Famers include Robinson, Zack Wheat, Rube Marquard and a young Casey Stengel. The Dodgers (called the Robins after their manager) would drop their World Series debut to Babe Ruth and the Boston Red Sox in 1916. They would return to the Series six more times and come up as losers every time, earning them their ‘bum’ moniker. In 1955, they would exercise their demons and capture their lone World Championship.

Auction Link: 1916 Brooklyn Dodgers:

You can't go wrong with Jackie Robinson playing tennis. He is teamed with Indoor Tennis Champion Don McNeil during a benefit match for the American National Theater and Academy in February 1951.

Auction Link: Jackie Playing Tennis:

In the clubhouse the boys will play. Below is Jackie with Sal Maglie and Al Walker as he faces playful congratulations for belting 2 homers against the Pirates on June 26, 1956. It sold for $72.00.

Auction Link: Jackie Robinson:

Happy Birthday Pee Wee. He is celebrating his 30th birthday in the photo below with cakes given to him by the Brooklyn faithful. It is hard to imagine today's fans doing the same. Of course, maybe it does happen and I'm just totally oblivious. Manager Burt Shotton stands at his right.

Auction Link: Pee Wee Reese BDay:

Here is a close up photo from October 7, 1920 of Hall of Famer Dodger Zach Wheat. It sold for $429.00.

Auction Link: Zach Wheat:

Babe Ruth was probably one of the most photogenic characters during the 1920's to 1930's. Below he is dressed as a clown for a

"CS & SCA event (the “Circus Saints and Sinners Club of America”, a charitable organization that got it's start back in the late 1920's. which provided financial assistance to old and down trodden circus performers)."

Auction Link: Ruth:

I had no idea Los Angeles had their own Negro League team. Below is a photo of the Los Angeles Hawks. It comes from the collection of Sy Pollack- former owner of the Indianapolis Clowns.

Auction Link: LA Hawks Negro League Team:

Below is Billie Thomas as Buckwheat from "Our Gang."

Auction Link: Buckwheat:

Do you want to know why I love Hockey? This is why I love hockey. "We supply everything but guts!" Below is Paul Newman in the timeless movie "Slap Shot."

Auction Link: Slap Shot: