1982 Union Oil Dodger Player Portraits - The Complete Set

It occurred to me recently that I had never bothered to scan and share this set on this blog - which kind of puzzles me.  After all, it's probably a set most Dodger fans in their late-30's or older remember the most, and in my opinion it is the one set all Dodger collectors should own.  Featured here (finally) are scans of the 1982 Union Oil Dodger Player Portraits featuring artwork by Nicholas Volpe.

As you may know, Volpe had lent his work to the Dodgers for several 1960's portrait photo sets, so this promotional item was meant to reintroduce the artist to the teams newest fans.  Check out my previous post on a couple of those sets here (1962 & 1969).  The set consist of 26 sheets and features a player portrait against a black background.  They measure 8.5" x 11", has a reverse filled with all kinds of biographical information (as seen below) and were distributed by Union 76 gas stations throughout the Southland.  If I remember right, you received a free portrait for every 8 gallon fill-up.  The set is very plentiful in the collectors market, so it shouldn't cost much to purchase.  My price guide indicates $15.00 for the set, but that's from over 10 years ago.  Still, I don't expect it to sell for much more than that today.

As you can see, the set I have has been autographed by every member of the team; including Vin Scully.  As you can imagine, this set is a favorite in my collection.

Below is the rest of the set. Click any pic to embiggen.  Go below the fold to check them all out.

A Look at the 1988 Dodgers Unocal Pin Set

Following up on Wednesday's post featuring all 6 pins from the 1987 Dodgers Unocal pin set, I now share with you the pins from the 1988 set.

Unocal decided to go with a theme for the 1988 set.  All 6 pins feature LA Dodgers award winners.  Check them all out below.

Pin #1 - Move Valuable Players - In 1962 and 1963, the Dodgers had back-to-back National League MVP's in Maury Wills and Sandy Koufax.  Om 1974, Steve Garvey became the third Los Angeles Dodger to be honored with the league's most prestigious award.

Pin #2 - Stolen Base Champions - The LA Dodgers have two players lead the National League in stolen bases.  Maury Wills captured the stolen base championship six times from 1960-1965, including a record setting 104 in 1962.  Davey Lopes won the title in 1974 and 1976.  Lopes stole a career-high 77 bases in 1975.

Pin #3 - World Series MVP's - In 1959, Larry Sherry became the first World Series MVP the Dodgers had in LA.  Sandy Koufax led the World Champion Dodgers in the 1963 and 1965 World Series and he earned MVP honors in both series.  In 1981, Pedro Guerrero, Ron Cey and Steve Yeager were the sparks for the Dodgers, earning tri-MVP honors.

Pin #4 - CY Young Award Winners - The Los Angeles Dodgers have had four players earn the top honor for pitchers in the National League:  Don Drysdale (1962), Sandy Koufax (1963, 1965, 1966). Mike Marshall (1974), and Fernando Valenzuela (1981).

Pin #5 - Batting Champions - Tommy Davis collected two hits on Sept. 28, 1963, to finish with a .326 average and become the second youngest player in history ever to win two consecutive batting crowns.  In 1962, Tommy led the league with a .346 average.

Pin #6 - Rookies of the Year - The LA Dodgers have produced seven Rookies of the Year, including four consecutive winners from 1979-1982.  Frank Howard (1960), Jim Lefebvre (1965), Ted Sizemore (1969), Rick Sutcliffe (1979), Steve Howe (1980), Fernando Valenzuela (1981), and Steve Sax (1982.

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Take a Look at the 1983 Dodgers Postcard Set

I recently purchased another decent sized lot of Dodgers postcards and found a complete 1983 Dodgers postcard set within it.  What luck, eh?

Check them all out in this post.  Click any pic to embiggen.

The 1983 Dodgers Postcard set features 12 postcards.  They were produced by Mike Roberts Color Productions out of Oakland, California.  They are numbered from #C35508 to #C35519.  A complete checklist is at the very bottom.

Below is an example of what the reverse of the postcards look like.  As you can see, the card number can be found on the lower left side.  Here is a complete checklist of the 1983 postcard set:

#C35508 Dusty Baker
#C35509 Burt Hooton
#C35510 Steve Howe
#C35511 Dave Stewart
#C35512 Mike Marshall
#C35513 Bob Welch
#C35514 Bill Russell
#C35515 Fernando Valenzuela
#C35516 Mike Scioscia
#C35517 SteveSax
#C35518 Steve Yeager
#C35519 Greg Brock

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Some Vintage Dodgers Postcards for My Collection

I came across a good sized lot of older Dodgers postcards on eBay and decided to place a bid.  I've been wanting to put together a complete run of Dodgers postcards, but hadn't set out to really do it.  I guess I have no excuse now. 

The LA Dodgers issued postcards from 1959 to 1983.  They can range in prices and feature some of the greatest stars to ever put on the uniform.  If you are patient and willing to bargain hunt, you can complete a set from most years at very inexpensive prices.  I think the lone exception would be the older postcards; 1959 and 1960.  These two sets feature the LA Coliseum as a backdrop, and can often sell for a premium.  More modern postcards can be purchased for as little as a buck.  As you'll see, I did a bit better than that.

To my surprise, I won this auction with a total price of $9.00, delivered.  The total lot had 25 Dodgers postcards, of which 19 were unique.  Overall, I paid about $0.36 each.  What a bargain, eh?

Check out my bounty below.

I think my favorite postcard of the bunch is the one at the very top.  It shows Fernando Valenzuela at the White House. Nancy Reagan is in the foreground, and Ronald Reagan is in the background.  Strangely, this postcard (along with a Davey Lopes postcard w/o signature) does not appear to be a part of the postcards issued and sold by the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.  At least, the checklist I have doesn't list them.  It's likely, though, that they were sold at other retail establishments since they were produced by the same company that made the postcards for the Dodgers in 1983.

BTW, if you have some postcards to trade please let me know.  Maybe we can work out a trade.

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Dodgers Police: 1981 Set - Part 4

I am back with the final installment of cards from the Dodgers 1981 Police set. Check out Part 1, Part 2, or Part 3.
I don't remember Pepe at all, but your afro is awesome! Plus, your helpful tip on the reverse of this card is surprisingly simple and needs to be taught to every kid out there.
Hey, Bobby. 1981 was Castillo's last year with the Dodgers.
Skateboarding is not a crime!
I love Mickey Hatcher, and I will never forget his incredible performance during the 1988 World Series run. Unfortunately, Mickey was traded to the Twins for Kenny Landreaux just before the start of the 1981 season. So, this card is a bit prematures and we would have to wait a few more years before experiencing the magic from the man who would lead "The Stuntmen."
RIP Steve.

The Steve Howe Follow-up

Not to long ago I was chatting with a buddy of mine when he asked the question, "did you hear anything about Howe and what happened?" At the time I said no. Well, now we know. A toxicology report indicates that Steve Howe had methamphetamine in his system. The scourge of the nation has taken one of our beloved Dodger Blue friends.

I, unfortunately, have seen the horrors this drug can bring- not as a user but as a witness. In my more youthful days, when I was more care free and able to party til dawn, I saw really good people get screwed up on that stuff. I mean really good folk who became something different because of that drug. I saw friends become strangers. The intelligent become useless. The responsible became thieves. The trustworthy became dead to me. Its the one drug where I have never seen a full recovery. There is always something there- left over. Speed screws with you for the long term, even long after you've stopped using it.

I sincerely hope that those with this addiction seek help and guidance.

For info on methamphetamine check here:

For Narcotics Anonymous check here:

Steve Howe RIP

Today, we all woke up either knowing or hearing that the enigmatic Steve Howe died in a car crash yesterday. He was a player both loved and respected, but he also was ripped and scorned throughout his career. His life and baseball career was cut short and destroyed by the ravages of addiction. Numerous times he was suspended for cocaine use. Substance abuse became the curve ball he could neither pitch or control throughout his life. I wish to extend my condolences to his family and friends. And I am hopeful that in light of this tragedy, we can all take a step back and remember how great he was on the mound, while at the same time encourage our own friends and family to seek help when they need it. RIP