Dodger Correspondence: 1934 Wilbert Robinson Handwritten Letter to Casey Stengel

Check out this fantastic hand-written letter by retired Brooklyn Robins/Dodgers manager Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson to old friend Casey Stengel that is currently on auction at Heritage (link here). Dated March 6, 1934, the letter expresses great fondness and admiration for Stengel -- adding that he's happy to know that he will be managing his old club.

As you may know, Uncle Robbie headed the Brooklyn ballclub from 1914 to 1931, and coached Casey when he was just a lad with the team from Flatbush. Below is an what's written (unfortunately, Robinson's handwriting is a little difficult to decipher, so it might not be entirely accurate). It says:

Dear Friend Casey: 

I am sure pleased you have the position as Manager of The Brooklyn Club. I know you will do well in fact better than any one I know of with the material you have. Mrs. Robinson joins me in wishing you success and good luck. 

I am glad you kept Otto. He is one hundred percent man at all times. I owe him a letter and will write him soon. 

I expect to drive down to some of the training camps the last of this month and if I do I will stop and see you in Orlando.  

Give them hell old boy and make a good showing.

Yours As Ever, 

Wilbert Robinson 

I believe Otto is in reference to Otto Miller -- who caught for Robinson for much of his time in Brooklyn and would later on become a coach.

BTW, Uncle Robbie would not survive the year. In August of 1934 he would fall and hit his head, while also breaking his arm in a hotel accident. He would soon utter these words,

"Don't worry about it, fellas. I'm an old Oriole. I'm too tough to die."

A few days later he would die of a brain hemorrhage -- just months after a Baltimore Orioles teammate and fellow legendary manager John McGraw passed away.

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Memorabilia from the 1916 World Series - Dodgers vs. Red Sox

It's been 102 year since these two teams squared off in the Fall Classic, so naturally this memorabilia centered blog had to search around for some souvenir goodies from those games to share. BTW, if you want a great rundown on the play during the 1916 World Series I would suggest checking out John Thorn's piece at Our Game.

As you can imagine, there isn't a whole bunch of memorabilia out there to gawk out -- not only due to the passage of time, but also because the fan souvenir market had not yet been fully realized. Heck, it wasn't until Danny Goodman, the Vice President and Director of Advertising and Promotion for the Dodgers in Los Angeles, arrived in the late 50's did clubs understand that there were other ways to line their pocketbooks.

Fortunately, there are some things for us to look at. Featured at the very top is the Ebbets Field program for the series, and it features beloved Dodgers manager Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson on the cover. It says at the very bottom, (under "Robbie") "A regular manager, a regular fellow and a credit to the national game."

Uncle Robbie's Letter to Scoops at Christie's Auction

The often venerated Christie's auction house is currently running their "Golden Age of Baseball" auction, and it includes numerous historical artifacts; including this fantastic vintage original letter featured here.

Dated February 9th, 1930, Dodger manager Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson writes to friend and ex-Dodger Max Carey. (auction link)

As you may know, future Hall of Famer Max Carey had just retired from the game after having spent 17 years with the Pirates and the past four seasons in Brooklyn. So now he was looking towards life after playing, and naturally wanted to stay in the game. After all, he was a captain and a leader throughout his time as a player, and many believed he would eventually make a fine manager.

Blog Kiosk: 6/29/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw, Pederson and Julio Urias

Wouldn't you know it.  On his seventh try as a starter, while wearing his favorite number seven on his uniform, Julio Urias earned his first Major League victory.  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“It’s beautiful, incredible; it’s one of the best days of my life,” Urias said through an interpreter. “What more can I say?”

Not only that, he recorded his first Major League hit that happened to score Joc Pederson for the fifth run of the game.  As for what he did on the mound, I think it's best to characterize it as being effectively wild.  In six innings he gave up two hits, two earned runs, six strike outs, picked off one and walked a whopping six batters.

“You know what, he made pitches when he needed to,” Roberts said. “That’s one of the things with Julio is that as he continues to make major league starts and continues to try to be efficient; the walks tonight are something he needs to get better at, but when he needed to make pitches and throw strikes, he did that. The fastball had life, the breaking ball; he threw some really good changeups tonight.”

As relieved as he was afterward to be in possession of not one game ball for the victory but also a second one for his first career hit, Urias also knows he was fortunate.

“I struggled with some pitches, and obviously the walks were too many for any starter, but the good thing was that we could get the win and we could get the results we needed,” Urias said.

Watch Julio Urias speak about his evening with Alanna Rizzo here.

Pic above via SportsNet LA on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1990 Fernando Valenzuela no-hit the Cardinals, 6-0, at Dodger Stadium.  With 119 pitches he struck out seven and walked three.  Also, on this same night, former Dodgers starter Dave Stewart threw a no-hitter against the Blue Jays; thereby marking the first time in modern Baseball history that two no-hitters were thrown on the same day.  Via Tommy Lasorda, at the time: 

"And it couldn't have happened to a tougher, more competitive guy," Lasorda said. "You look at Fernando and he has done everything in his career except a no-hitter. And now . . . this."

In 1995 Hideo Nomo struck out thirteen Rockies to give him a then team record of 50 strike outs in four consecutive starts.  In 1996 Mike Piazza hit three home runs against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.  He is the fifth Dodger to hit three homers in a game.

• Happy Birthday, Pedro Guerrero, Rick Honeycutt and Wilbert "Robbie" Robinson!

Blog Kiosk: 10/22/2015 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Is it wrong for me to yearn for Spring?  The 2015 Baseball isn't even done yet.  Still, I can't wait for those gates at Camelback Ranch to open up again.  2016 figures on being something entirely new, and potentially exciting.  The Dodgers will be ushering in a new era - complete with a new manager - to go along with its new front office.  I'll have more on Mattingly's departure later on.

In the meantime, check out the above fantastic 1928 ACME press photo from an Brooklyn Dodgers/Robins Spring training camp in Clearwater, Florida.  Featured are Hall of Famers Wilbert Robinson and Dazzy Vance hashing out their plan for the upcoming season.  It is currently available for sale through RMY Auctions.  Check it out here.

Below are more links to check out:

• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Turner’s postseason one of the best in Dodger history."

Turner is just one of four Dodger players to OPS 1.300 or higher with a minimum of 15 plate appearances in a series.

• ICYMI:  The Dodgers pick up some scraps in hopes of finding gold.  They claimed right-handed pitcher Lisalverto Bonilla from the Texas Rangers and placed the 25-year-old on the 60-day disabled list (recovery from April Tommy John surgery).  Per a Dodger press release:
  

  Bonilla missed the entire 2015 season due to injury after making his Major League debut in 2014 and going 3-0 with a 3.05 ERA in five games (three starts) with the Rangers. In 170 minor league games (43 starts) in six minor league seasons, Bonilla has posted a 27-20 record with 15 saves and a 3.17 ERA, while limiting opponents to a .232 batting average with 489 strikeouts in 429.0 innings. Bonilla, who was honored with a 2012 selection to the Futures Game, was originally signed by the Phillies in 2008 as a free agent out of the Dominican Republic and then traded to Texas in 2012.

• Now that the minor league season is over, Baseball America takes a look at best and brightest of the 2015 Baseball draft by sharing their "Best Of" list that includes several Dodgers.  Check it out here.  38th Round pick Edwin Drexler was named the second best fastest runner, 11th round pick Imani Abdullah was named the third best late-round pick and 1st rounder Kyle Funkhauser was named the top draftee to get away.
• Could Baseball return as an Olympic sport?  Via the Australian Baseball Digest, "BASEBALL/SOFTBALL SHORTLISTED FOR TOKYO 2020 OLYMPIC GAMES."

“Reinstatement back into the Olympic Games is an extensive process for the sport, so it is encouraging this evening to receive the news that Baseball/Softball has made it to the next step, and it is credit to the sports global movement”, said Baseball Australia President, David Hynes.

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Lobbying Zach Wheat in a Letter from Uncle Robbie at REA

In case you don't already know, I absolutely love running into old letters written by former Dodgers'.  Oftentimes, they provide a little glimpse at their personalities, and insight into their character.  Other times, we get a look at what's going on behind the scenes.  Go here to check out all of my previous post on Dodgers' Correspondence.

Above, is a letter currently on auction at REA that I wanted to pass along.  It is written the day after Christmas 1917.  Hall of Fame manager Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson reaches out to fellow Hall of Famer Zach Wheat about the upcoming season.  Check out the auction here.

In the midst of World War I in Europe and a difficult past year at the turnstiles throughout the league, Robbie does a little bit of contract negotiating on behalf of Charles Ebbets.  After all, of all the players on that club Wheat was the one guy they had to make sure stayed on.  Check it out in full below:

Dear Buck [Wheat's nickname]:

In talking various matters over with Mr. Ebbets a few days ago, he informed me that the club would exercise their options upon the services of all the players on our list and then he would write you asking what salary you expected or should like to have for season of 1918, which will be from April 16th to Sept. 30th, exactly 5 1/2 months: he wants to agree with the players upon a salary which will be fair to the player and to the club. I hope you will be fair in your answer to Mr. Ebbets. You know he was the first who said base ball must continue when others were talking of quitting; neither he nor his partners have hollered "calamity"; but for all that you and I know that base ball conditions were bad all over the country and not likely to be any better in 1918 unless we should get better weather conditions; the weather of 1917 could not be much worse. Mr. E. told me that they would try and meet near as possible the conditions of 1913, which was, he said, the last normal year they had had; the years 1914, 1915, 1916, being covered with high Federal League contracts and 1917 suffering by reason of the World War.

I hope you will carefully consider all this and too the conditions that confront us in 1918; almost fifty thousand men have been taken by the government out of Brooklyn and more will be drafted in the next few months; so be fair when you write Mr. Ebbets. I am sure he will be fair with you, everything considered.

I want you when you have finally signed your contract to come to me satisfied and work your head off; you know next year all clubs will get a piece of the World's Series; that is, all but the last club; besides, when the war is over and Cadore, Pfeffer and Smith come back to us we will be in a good position to improve our position and with better times get better money.

Contract will be for 5 1/2 months; training about three weeks; this will give you more time at home, but you must do some preliminary training prior to March 19th. 

I find it interesting that during an era when players were roundly beaten up by the owners, Zach Wheat appears to have significant leverage.  He was their top player; therefore their top draw.  Considering, as Robbie mentions above, that a large swath of fans were off to war the Dodgers needed to make sure there was someone on the field the populace would enjoy watching.  Clearly, Wheat was that man, and as the stats tell us he definitely proved to be a keeper.  In 1918 he hit a league leading .335.  Unfortunately, the Robins, as they were known back then, finished the season in 5th place in the National League.

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Blog Kiosk: 7/11/2015 - Dodger Links - Kershaw, Guilmet and Beachy

Check out this fantastic colorized attempt of a legendary photograph taken by George Bain of the Dodger dugout during the 1916 World Series.  It was shared by r/IckyChris on r/colorization Reddit.  From left to right: centerfielder Hi Myers, manager Wilbert Robinson, and an unknown mascot/bat boy.

Below are some links to check out:

• You're welcome, Clayton!  Via his twitter:

Ending Twitter hibernation to thank everyone who voted for me! Very cool to see the turn out regardless of the results!

— Clayton Kershaw (@ClaytonKersh22) July 10, 2015

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider thinks he still might make it to the All-Star - as the first alternate should any pitcher be unable to attend.
• The Dodgers make another roster move by picking up Preston Guilmet off waivers, via a tweet from Ken Rosenthal.

#Dodgers claim RHP Preston Guilmet on waivers from #Rays.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 10, 2015

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Dodgers claim Preston Guilmet, designate Chris Reed for assignment."

Guilmet, 27, has 21 innings of Major League experience with a 6.43 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 7.7 K/9. In Triple-A this year, he has a 1.84 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 8.6 K/9. The Dodgers are his third organization this year, after the Rays claimed him from the Blue Jays on May 13.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue, "Brandon Beachy will start Saturday for Dodgers."  He last pitched almost two years ago, and this will be his first start as a Dodger.

"Yesterday when we talked I didn't think he would be the starter today. We knew phyiscally he was ready, just through the trainers and how he's been doing and bouncing back," Mattingly said. "He's had some conversations with Farhan [Zaidi, general manager] and some of the guys, and absolutely feels like he's ready to go. That's what we needed to hear. We weren't worried about the physical part, it was more the mental side, and he sounds ready to go."

• Via Bernie Pleskoff at MLB.com, "Scouting profile: Cody Bellinger."

Bellinger can hit. Not at all flashy, he has a very uncomplicated, easy swing. Bellinger makes good contact, using the barrel of the bat to consistently hit line drives to the right-center-field gap or down the right-field line. He gets out in front of the ball with quick wrists and above-average, but not elite, bat speed. A disciplined hitter with very good mechanics, it will be very surprising if Bellinger doesn't hit for a high batting average throughout his career.

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Scans of the 1950 Jackie Robinson Comic #2 - In Full

I hope you've been enjoying a look back at these vintage Jackie Robinson comics.  I had recently scanned all of the pages from the Comic #1 (first half here, second half here).  Now, you can enjoy Comic #2 in full below.  I figured why cut it up into halves when you surely want to read the whole thing now. 

As you'll notice these next pages focus on specific highlights from his career, and even includes a side story about former manager Wilbert Robinson - who lead the team from 1914 to 1931.

UPDATE:  Directly below are links to the other Jackie Robinson vintage comics I've scanned and shared:

• 1950 JR Comic #1 (the first half) - Link
• 1950 JR Comic #1 (the second half) - Link
• 1950 JR Comic #2 (complete scans) - Link
• 1950 JR Comic #3 (complete scans) - Link 
• 1950 JR Comic #4 (complete scans) -Link
• 1951 JR Comic #5 (complete scans) - Link 
• 1951 JR Comic #6 (complete scans) - Link

Click on any pic to embiggen.

Vintage Dodger Pics at RMY Auctions - Ebbets Field, A Cuban Ballfield and Uncle Robbie

Vintage photographs are all the rage.  They have become widely collected over the past several years; with some examples selling for thousands of dollars.  Of course, most photographs do not usually sell for those kind of lofty numbers, so it really has become a perfect avenue for a collector to travel if they are budget conscious.  After all, you can pick up an period old-tyme Hall of Famer for a fraction of what a Baseball card would sell for.  And when you consider the uniqueness and scarcity of most examples you realize that they are true steals. 

On a side note, vintage photo collecting is not just relegated to the sports nut.  As evidenced by the recently closed Disneyland auction at Van Eaton Galleries, both professional and visitor taken photographs sold for huge dollars.  Like, an unbelievable amount of money.  A buddy of mine, who's a huge Disney freak, laid down some serious dough for a group of visitor taken photographs that has me shocked.  BTW, my favorite item at this auction was an original Tiki Room "Tiki Bird" that sold for over $150k.  Check out a story about that closed sale here.  You can also take a look at the original catalog here.

Now back to the Dodgers.  RMY Auctions has a current auction up and running that includes several great vintage Dodger photographs.  Check out my favorites below.  Go the RMY's auction here to see what else is available.

This photo isn't necessarily about Baseball or the Dodgers.  Instead, it features a strange ritual being performed on the Ebbets Field diamond in 1927.  Per the auction description, the large group being shown are participating in an college "Rush" activity for Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute.  What I find fascinating about the photo is the placement of the goal post.  As you may now, the stadium hosted the Brooklyn Dodger football club.

Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute

Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute

(Auction Link)

With Spring Training currently in full swing this next photo was a must to share.  Shown below is a 1942 ACME press photo of the Brooklyn Dodgers practicing on an Havana, Cuba ballfield.

(Auction Link)

This next photograph is fantastic.  Here is a 1927 ACME press photo of the boys wishing the beloved manager Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson a happy birthday.  Per the caption attached to the reverse:

As luck would have it, the Brooklyn Dodgers had to be out of town when "Uncle Robbie's" birthday came round on the calendar, but that did not prevent them from pulling a fast one, nearly mobbing "Uncle Robbie" in their frantic attempts to give him sixty three wallops on the back in honor of his birthday.

(Auction Link)

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Blog Kiosk: 3/12/2014 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

What a great photo of a broken bat in the hands of Juan Uribe.  Pic taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

• I'd like to extend my condolences to Don Mattingly and his family.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, he will be absent the next couple of days to attend a family funeral.
• Mark Langill at Dodger Insider shares a great story about the day Dodger manager Wilbert Robinson tried to catch a Baseball dropped from a plane.  It's tales like this that make Baseball so great.
• FYI, the Dodgers reassigned relief pitcher Red Patterson to the minor leagues yesterday. 
• Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com writes, "Exploring the Australia Effect on 2014".

On the 2004 games the Yankees played in Japan: “We came back with four spring training games and that was miserable and we started bad,” Mattingly said. “Those are the things I worry about. The bell rings, those two games count, then you come back and say, ‘Don’t matter.’ I worry about bad habits.” 

• Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest writes, "What it would take for Joc Pederson to make the Dodgers".
• Chris St. John at Beyond the Boxscore takes a look at the, "2014 Los Angeles Dodgers Consensus Top 65 Prospects".
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dan Haren 'tired,' not going to Australia a possibility".

"They would like to try to help me stay back, because it's a lot of travel to go over there just to be insurance," Haren said. "If I have to do it, I would do it. I told them I would have no problem doing it. But if I'm not going to throw there and I could stay back, that's better for everybody."

• Check out some preview picks from 2014 Allen & Ginter, via Larry Pauley at Sports Collectors Daily.  Check out the Puig and Ebbets Field cards below.

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REA: A Couple of Rare Brooklyn Dodgers Programs

Robert Edwards Auctions, known for its once-a-year sports cards and memorabilia auction gala, is holding (to my surprise) their 2nd auction of the year right now, and as always it is incredible.  Although not exactly comparable to its big summer auction, it does include numerous vintage items worth taking note.

For instance, take a look at this 1919 "Peace Souvenir" program issued by the Brooklyn Dodgers, below.

(auction link)

Per the auction description:

The special eight-page program was specially produced to honor all of the members of the Brooklyn Dodgers organization, both players and executives, who served in the military during World War I. All of the members are pictured (many in their respective military uniforms), and the rear cover unfolds to reveal a large team photo of the 1919 Brooklyn club. Included among the individual portrait images are Burleigh Grimes (pictured in his sailor's uniform), Zack Wheat, Wilbert Robinson, and Rube Marquard (pictured in his sailor's uniform).

Click on any pic to embiggen.

(auction link)

(auction link)

Since we are in the midst of the 2013 Baseball postseason, I though it would be fun to take a look at this 1920 World Series program issued at Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field. Dodgers manager Wilbert Robinson is on the cover.  BTW, the Brooklyn team was nicknamed the Robins due to their love of their portly skipper.  Unfortunately, the Indians defeated the Robins five games to two in the 1920 World Series (it was a best-of-nine affair). 

Per the auction description:

Today, the Series is best known for two famous firsts, each of which occurred in Game 5. In the first inning Indians outfielder Elmer Smith hit the first grand slam in Series play. Four innings later teammate Bill Wambsganss did him one better by completing the first and only unassisted triple play in the history of the fall classic.

(Auction Link)

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The Best Ever!

This team has been unbelievable. So unbelievable that they set a new franchise record for wins over a 46-game stretch last night.

At 38-8, you have witnessed the #Dodgers best 46-game run in the modern era (since 1900).
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 13, 2013

This club has outperformed every Dodger team known as the "Boys of Summer" - with the likes of Duke, Jackie, Pee Wee and Campy on the roster.  They are better than the team lead by Uncle Robbie in the '20's, who had Hall of Famers like Zach Wheat and Burleigh Grimes.  Heck, Hall of Famer Jaime Jarrin thinks this may be the best Dodger team he has ever seen, per Tony Jackson at Dodger Scribe.

I think the specter of the McCourt/Fox years has finally past, and I couldn't be happier.

Dodger Baseball is exciting again. 

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Lelands Auctions: Erskine No-Hitter Memorabilia & the Brooklyn Bum

Auction season just never ends.  Right now, Lelands is running their current offering and it includes some great vintage Dodgers memorabilia.  Heck, there's a large grouping from the Carl Erskine Collection and items from famed Dodger collector Sal LaRocca.  Check out some of the items that really shined below.

Carl Erskine threw 2 no-hitters in his career, and this auction includes unique memorabilia from both of them.  Below is from his first no-no, June 19, 1952.  It is his personal "Last Out" game used ball.  It has written on the side:

"6/19/52-Ebbets Field, Brooklyn vs. Cubs, Brooklyn 5-Cubs-0, No hit-no runs-time 1 hr 45 mins, 103 pitches."

The ball even has been signed by 11 of his teammates: Campanella, Robinson, Hodges, Furillo, Dressen, Snider, Reese, Pafko, Pitler, Cox, and Morgan.

(Auction Link)

This next item is as unique as it gets.  Below is the pitch chart drafted by Hall of Famer Don Drysdale during Erskine's 2nd no-hitter, May 12, 1956.  Per the auction description:

This is especially rare because manager Walter Alston was one of the first to have one of his off-day starters track another one's pitches.

(Auction Link)

I just can't stop myself from posting up original Willard Mullin artwork.  This drawing of the Brooklyn Dodger Bum was drawn in 1947 and is dedicated at the bottom to longtime Chicago Cubs broadcaster Jack Brickhouse.  Via the auction description:

Not only did the Cubs stop the Dodgers' win streak at 13 on August 1 of that year, Chicago swept the three-game set at Wrigley Field. Brooklyn would have the last laugh, however, winning the pennant a month later while the Cubs finished second with a record of 69-85.

(Auction Link)

Shown below is an original drawing that was used for one of my all time favorite Fall of Fame focused Baseball card sets.  The Callahan Hall of Fame set was produced from 1950 to 1956 and were originally sold at Cooperstown and various other Major League ballparks.  Featured here is the drawing for Hall of Fame Dodger coach Wilbert Robinson.  This item comes from the Sal LaRocca Collection.

(Auction Link)

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Dodgers Goodies at Robert Edwards Auctions

Robert Edwards Auctions or REA has just put up their once-a-year auction extravaganza, and as you might suspect, it's filled with more memorabilia than you can imagine.  There's vintage cards, autographs and rare artifacts worthy of inclusion into the Hall of Fame.  And, there's a bunch of Dodgers collectibles that I've gathered together to show you in this post.  Check them out below.

BTW, if you don't already know, this firm is by far my favorite sports memorabilia auction house.  They seem to always have the best quality stuff, and have shown that the use of proper ethics within the hobby can reap huge rewards.

The first item is probably the best Dodgers related collectible in their whole catalog.  Here is a 1963 game-worn road jersey of Sandy Koufax.  As you know, Sandy won both the MVP and Cy Young awards this season, so it is certainly a key Koufax collectible.  Heck, it's a rarity, as well.  As the auction description says, this is one of only 8 known real game-used Koufax jersey's known to exist, and 1 of only 3 graded by MEARS (a premier game-worn authenticity firm).  At the time of this post it is already at $100,000.00, and I suspect it will go for much more.

(Auction Link)

Here is a great oddball Jackie Robinson item.  It is a 1952 Wheaties Tin Tray Proof of Jackie.  The Tin Trays were originally affixed to the back of Wheaties cereal boxes, and were beveled around the edges to made a frame.  In the below example, it has not been beveled and clearly appears to have been cut from a metal proof sheet by someone involved in the production of the set.  It currently sits at $500.00.

(Auction Link)

Here is another unusual Jackie Robinson collectible.  It is a 1957 "Time To Score For Civil Rights" poster featuring Jackie Robinson "going to bat" for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).  It originally came directly from Jackie's wife, Rachel Robinson for a 2006 auction, so it once resided within the estate of Jackie Robinson.  It is currently at $3,250.00.

(Auction Link)

Long since forgotten, Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson was a beloved Brooklyn manager at the start of the 20th Century.  From 1914 to 1931 he captained the team to the delight of fans, as Brooklynites reveled in the error-prone machinations of their hometown boys.  Soon, fans would call the team the "Robins" in his honor and delight at the wackiness of "Uncle Robbie's Daffiness Boys".  The Dodgers back then were bad, so bad they were good- good for some great laughs and some better times at the ballpark. 

Featured below is a 19th Century team cabinet card of the 1888 Philadelphia Athletics, and shown on the middle row, far left is a young Wilbert Robinson.  This cabinet card measure 4.25" x 6.5".  It is currently at $1,600.00.

(Auction Link)

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An "Uncle Robbie" Robinson Vintage Photo

I thought it would be fun to take a quick look at a long forgotten Dodger manager by the name of Wilbert Robinson.  He skippered the franchise during the early part of the 20th Century- from 1914 to 1931.  For 18 years he steered the ship through muddy waters.  For the most part, the team was not very good under his leadership, but he can stake claim to winning the only Brooklyn pennants from 1901 to 1940 - two of them.

The team was a hodgepodge of jokers and error prone idiots, if you will, but Brooklyn loved them anyway.  Heck, they would soon be called "The Daffiness Boys," and Wilbert would be affectionately be called "Uncle Robbie."  Per a Baseball-Reference biography:

Two incidents illustrate the club’s personality during this period. In one case, slugger Babe Herman hit what appeared to be a triple, only to be called out by the umpire for not touching second. Manager Robinson charged on to the field to challenge the umpire’s call, when his first base coach warned him, “Don’t worry about it, Skip. He missed first, too.” In another instance, outfielder Casey Stengel, who would later manage the great Yankee teams of the 1950s, once found an injured bird in the outfield grass. Planning to nurse it back to health, he placed the bird under his cap and resumed playing the game. By the time Stengel came to bat, he had totally forgotten the bird, but the crowd had not forgotten an error he had made the previous inning and began to boo him. In response to the crowd’s taunting, Stengel politely doffed his cap. The bird, which Stengel had forgotten, had been revived by his body heat and promptly flew away. The boos quickly turned into roaring laughter.

Anyway, I was thinking of Uncle Robbie because of a great auction Item I saw for sale through Lew Lipset's Old Judge auctions.  See it below.  It is an September 1908 vintage press photo featuring a team photograph of the Baltimore Orioles - a minor league club at the time.  Robbie is on the back row, 3rd on the right, and was well past his prime.  In a few short years he would join the Dodgers.

(auction link)

Of special note, Mark Langill reminded us of the blockbuster trade between the Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles in 1899 that didn't include Uncle Robbie, but was just as impactful to the Dodgers as the recent trade we made with the Red Sox. 

February 7, 1899 – A joint ownership agreement between the Brooklyn Bridegrooms and Baltimore Orioles shift several Baltimore players to Brooklyn, including manager Ned Hanlon and Willie Keeler. Two players remain in Baltimore and later become rival managers – Wilbert Robinson (Brooklyn) and John McGraw (N.Y. Giants). The new Brooklyn team is renamed the “Superbas,” which is coined from a Vaudeville group named Hanlon’s Superbas.

Basically, many of the Orioles all-stars would be sent to Brooklyn at an attempt at a championship.  It would eventually help the team win the pennant in 1899 and 1900.

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Blog Kiosk: 3/13/2013

Check out this great photo of Sandy Koufax pitching to Stan "The Man" Musial that was posted up on reddit the other day, via carver1976.  As noted by another poster, LetsGetRamblin:

9/17/63. Musial singling in the 7th. I noticed that the hit actually broke up a no-hitter, so I searched it, and found a description of the at bat in the book "Koufax" on Google Books. (Bottom of page 159.) Photo by Neil Leifer.

• Via Dodgers historian Mark Langill, we learn that today is the anniversary of the day former Dodgers skipper Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson attempted to catch a Baseball dropped from a plane.  As the story goes, instead of a ball a grapefruit was substituted, so when Uncle Robbie caught it, it exploded.
• FanGraphs shares their list of Top 100 Baseball prospects, and 4 Dodgers make the cut:  #91 Zach Lee #96 Chris Reed #97 Corey Seager #99 Yasiel Puig.
• Forbes wonders if the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffet, would have paid as much for the Dodgers.

Walter and company had the option of purchasing the Houston Astros, a lackluster franchise but one in the fourth-biggest market in America. But Kasten said he and Walter agreed, “If something comes up with the Dodgers, we have to look at that much more seriously.” They feared they might have to pay $900 million. They later realized if they could do the deal for $1.3 billion it would be a bargain. But the bidding passed $2 billion and they had not reached their choking point. Only time will tell if the price was a good one, but early results point in their favor.

• Thanks to Left Field Pavilion, I've been enjoying my time checking out a message board called Brooklyn Dodger Memories.
• Via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times, Josh Beckett is looking good.

“It seems like he’s even sharper now,” Manager Don Mattingly said after the Dodgers’ 6-2 defeat to the Cincinnati Reds Tuesday at Goodyear Ballpark.

Beckett had another solid outing, limiting the Reds to a run and two hits over 4 1/3 innings. Beckett has a 0.96 earned-run average in three starts.

• Listen to Dodger Talk with Kevin Kennedy and David Vasseg, here.  It's the March 12th edition.
• Don Mattingly speaks with Mike Lupica at ESPN radio to discuss the Dodgers.  Listen to it here.
• Just because I happen to be listening to their album as I write this.  Below is live footage of Joy Division playing She's Lost Control.

Video Link:

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Legendary Auctions: Wilber "Uncle Robbie" Robinson and Some Vintage Dodgers Cartoons

Legendary Auction is running their last auction of the year, and it (as always) includes some great vintage material. 

Check out this 1894 N142 Duke's Honest Tobacco Cabinet card of former Dodgers manager Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson as a player for the Baltimore Orioles of the National League.  You just gotta love that 'stache on him.  He was a hipster before there were hipsters.

Uncle Robbie was a beloved Brooklyn manager.  He was so loved, in fact, that fans started calling the team the "Robins" in his honor. 

The card measures 6" x 9" and starts with an opening bid of $1,500.00

(auction link)

Leo O'Mealia is a famous cartoonist known more for his artwork at Action Comics and Detective Comics in the 1930's.  He started out as a political cartoonist for the Rochester Herald in 1907.  Then transitioned to sports cartoons in 1912 for the New York Journal.  Soon, he started to draw for comic books in the 1930's, and then returned to sports editorial cartoons for the Daily News in 1943.  He was known as "Leo the Lion " since he signed his artwork with "By Leo" and drew a small lion by it.

In this auction item there are two pieces focused on the Brooklyn Dodgers.  The below cartoon has to do with the Brooklyn borough's love for Leo Durocher.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

(auction link)

I don't think this "Leo the Lion" drawing below needs much of a description.  I will note that a little lion is clearly present on the bottom right (near the base of the wine glass).

(auction link)

And of course, I couldn't go without showing a Willard Mulling drawing.  I'll let the auction description go from here:

Originally bellowed as a derisive term to describe the once-woeful Brooklyn Dodgers, the infamous "Bums" moniker was artfully brought to life for decades to follow by renowned cartoonist Willard Mullin. In this cartoon, the beloved "Bum" is depicted in a thoughtful mood as he prepares - by swinging hard and ostentatiously missing the ball - to get "in shape" for an upcoming season. The original 12" x 19", black-and-white drawing is complete with editorial markings and, of course, Mullin's patented linear signature.

(auction link)

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2012 Panini Cooperstown Baseball Card Set- Dodgers Inserts Including Vin Scully

This Panini Cooperstown set is looking really good.  Heck, when you look at the inserts checklist it gets even better.  There are 4 Dodgers autographed cards to chase after and a bunch of other Hall of Famer cards.  Check them all out below.

These are the cards worth salivating over.  Directly below are the autographed inserts card in the Cooperstown set.  It features a great card of Vin Scully, and all cards have been signed "on-card;" with exception of the Duke Snider (for obvious reasons).

Cooperstown Signatures

#25 Tommy Lasorda – Los Angeles Dodgers /149

#47 Don Sutton – Los Angeles Dodgers /788

#55 Duke Snider – Brooklyn Dodgers /25*

Unfortunately, a Duke Snider autograph card has yet to make an appearance online.  With only 25 copies available that really isn't a surprise.

#76 Vin Scully – Announcer /100

This insert card is made of wood.  It is called HOF Classes Induction Year.

#9 Jackie Robinson

Cooperstown Bronze history Inserts

#58 Rube Marquard

#64 Walter O'Malley

#73 Wilbert Robinson

Cooperstown Famous Moments Insert (#4 Roy Campanella & #9 Jackie Robinson)

Credentials Inserts (#4 Don Drysdale & #9 Don Sutton)

With Honors insert

#1 Jackie Robinson - US Army WWII

Field Generals Insert

#6 Roy Campanella

Voices of Summer inserts

#5 Red Barber

#9 Vin Scully

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