Blog Bat Around: My All Autograph Team

I used to lament the disappearance of these kind of group-blog posts that were once a mainstay within the card collecting/blogging community. Now that there's been a recent resurgence in the "Blog Bat Around's," I find myself being too lazy to participate.

Well, no more to that.

I'm going to get off my fat bum and put something together.

So, with out further delay here is my "All Autograph Team." This Blog Bat Around is brought to us by "Torren' Up Cards, " and as you can guess we are to put together the best possible team using only autographs from our own collection. Furthermore, I will take it a step further and include only Dodger players on my team.

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.

Blog Kiosk: 12/5/2016 - Dodgers Links - Honeycutt, Seager and Rich Hill has been Re-Signed

Check out legendary Dodgers scout Mike Brito scamper through the Dodgers "Pop-Up Museum" at Dodger Stadium.  The museum highlights Dodger history through memorabilia/artifacts from the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the collection of Gary Cypres and the Dodgers own archives.  Go here for more information. Go here to check out more pics by Jon SooHoo from the museum.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1933 Prohibition ended.  In 1973 the Dodgers traded trade outfielder Willie Davis to the Expos for relief pitcher Mike Marshall.  Dr. Marshall, as he is called now, went on to win the NL Cy Young Award that next season.  He pitched in 106 games, finished 83 of them and recorded a league high 21 saves as a reliever.
• Happy Birthday, Raleigh Aitchison, Billy Shindle & Ray Moss!

Blog Kiosk: 11/9/2016 - Dodgers Links - Alvarez, Jansen, Turner and Hendrick

I thought I would start the day by sharing this pic of a group of vintage Ebbets Field postcards that are currently on auction at Hunt's Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory auction (Auction Link Here).  Most of these are the standard fare, with an exception being the B&W real-photo-postcard seen on the bottom row.  According to the auction description it dates to 1927 and features a group of students who play high school football running around the infield in the shape of the letter "S".

Below are more links to check out:

• Video: Watch Dodgers prospect Willie Calhoun speak with Sande Charles of FanRag Sports. (Link Here)

1966 Union 76 Dodgers 45 RPM Record Set Featuring Vin Scully Interviews

With the off-season officially upon us I though I would take a moment to checklist a scarce set from  the mid-60's.  Featured below are the twelve different Union 76 Los Angeles Dodgers 45 RPM records featuring Vin Scully interviewing 24 different players and executives.

As you can see, it includes a colorful sleeve with drawings done by Nicholas Volpe -- known for the various player portraits handed out by Union 76 over the past several decades.  Furthermore, each sleeve includes a portrait drawing of Vin Scully.  Each record has a separate Scully interview on each side, and fans were able to purchase a single record at participating gas stations for $0.49 each with a minimum purchase of gas.

On the right is a advertising poster for the records that had been previously shared by Mark Langill at Dodger Insider (link here).  Apparently, the poster is thought to be the only copy in existence today.

As for the records, I don't have any recordings to share.  If you happen to know where I could listen to any of them please pass that along to me. 

1966

Union 76 - 7” 33RPM Record EP Set - 12 Record Set

Record One

Sandy Koufax/John Kennedy

Blog Kiosk: 10/11/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Scully and Kershaw to Pitch Game 4

It just wasn't Kenta's day.  Per Ken Gurnick and Jamal Collier at MLB.com:

"I felt fine physically. I thought I had my stuff today, but again, they executed, they really executed today," said Maeda. "It was very regrettable that it didn't turn out to be a good outing. I understand it was a big situation, I went in there as a must-win situation in terms of preparing for this. I wasn't nervous at all, it just wasn't my day today."

Heck, even our ace closer had it tough.  Kenley Jansen gave up four runs in the ninth inning:

 "I was fighting with myself a lot today," said Jansen. "Just clearly was trying to fight and get out of the inning. It definitely was tough to get a rhythm."

The Dodgers got embarrassed, 8-3, and now are on the brink of elimination. 

BTW, tonight's Game 4 match-up with the Washington Nationals will be at 2:05 PM.  The photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon and Jill Weisleder from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1965 Willie Davis became just the second player to steal three bases in a World Series game.  He did it against the Twins in Game 5 of the '65 series.  The other person to do it was Honus Wagner on this exact same day in 1909.  In 1978 Bob Welch struck out Reggie Jackson on a full count with two outs in the ninth in Game 2 of the World Series to dramatically preserving a 4-3 Dodger victory over the Yankees.  In 1981 Jerry Reuss threw a five shutout against the Astros to win the best-of-five divisional series and advance to the National League Championship Series against the Montreal Expos.

Blog Kiosk: 9/4/2016 - Dodgers Links - De Leon, Kershaw, Puig, Bellinger and Josh Reddick

It's great to see Josh Reddick turn on the heat.  Last night he recorded his first three hit game for the Dodgers - knocking out two singles and his first home run in Blue.  Per AJ Cassavell and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"Took long enough," Reddick said of his home run. "I finally got it out of the way. Just to contribute, that's something I've wanted to do for a month now. I hope I'll be able to do it the rest of the year."

Reddick is on a little four game hitting streak.  Over that period he has recorded seven hits in thirteen at-bats, but only one extra base hit (yesterdays home run).  During his first 23 games as a Dodger he was slashing a woeful .139/.200/.152/.352, with just eleven hits in 79 at-bats.  Although we certainly have yet to see the best Reddick has to offer you've got to like that he's starting to perform.  Via Rich Hill when speaking about Reddick's evening:

"That was awesome. Get used to seeing it here. It's exciting."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics taken by Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1924 the Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) sweep their fourth consecutive doubleheader on four consecutive days.  I kid you not!  In 1966 the Dodgers become the first team in Major League history to draw two million fans both at home and on the road.  In 1969 Willie Davis' 31 consecutive game hitting streak streak ends at the hands of Padres. 

Blog Kiosk: 9/1/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Scully, Utley's Losing Bet with Seager and Andrew Toles

Wow!

Andrew Toles impresses me at every turn.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com: 

"Andrew is a beautiful human," said Dave Roberts. "The guys have really taken to him. He's a heck of a ballplayer. His story and trek to the big leagues is amazing. Just as a baseball player, he's so calm and cool. A little bit of the naivete and not knowing how good the ballplayers are and the ballparks are and just going out there and playing like it's his backyard."

Last night Toles came up to the plate with two outs in the ninth inning and the bases loaded.  The Dodgers had been embarrassingly shutout, 7-0, by the Rockies just hours before, and were aching for something good to happen.  With the team down by two, Andrew Toles did his best to oblige.  He peered intently at Colorado reliever Adam Ottavino in that last at-bat and took a mighty swing at the second pitch of the exchange.  The ball floated and drifted towards deep left field, and despite initial impressions it did not land on safe ground.  Instead, it landed with a roar in the seats for a grand slam - Andrew's first of his career.

"I thought it was an out, but it went over the fence and we won," said Toles, who admitted he didn't expect to make such an immediate impact. "I just go up there, not try to think too much and make things happen."

It goes to show you that the old saying- "ignorance is bliss" - has its advantages.  You can listen to Toles talk about his evening here.  Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1890 the Bridegrooms (Dodgers) and Pittsburgh played the first ever triple-header at Brooklyn's Washington Park.  To the joy of those on hand the Bridegrooms swept Alleghenys.  In 1941 Dodger infielder Dolph Camilli hit his 200th career home run.  In 1969 Willie Davis tied a Dodgers franchise record by recording his 29th consecutive hit.  The record was originally set by Zach Wheat in 1916.

Blog Kiosk: 6/11/2016 - Dodgers Links - Smeltzer, Montas and Trayce Thompson

Justin Turner came up clutch in the ninth inning of last nights game against the Giants.  He belted a home run to win the game for the Dodgers.  Via Rick Eymer and Chris Haft at MLB.com:

"Just trying to get on base," said Turner, whose fifth homer of the season gave the Dodgers their 12th victory in 18 games. "Sometimes when you simplify things, bigger things happen."

For his part in the victory, Clayton was magnificent.  He went eight innings, walked none, allowed five hits, two runs and struck out thirteen to win his ninth game of the season.

"We got big plays all the way around," Kershaw said. "It was a fun game to play in. You know it's a big game but that shouldn't affect you one way or another. You try to pitch the same no matter what."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1957 Roy Campanella hit his 237th career home run as a catcher to set a new NL record.  In 1972 both Willie Davis and Manny Mota would hit inside-the-park home runs against the Pirates at Dodger Stadium.
• Happy Birthday, Mike Davis and Odalis Perez!

Blog Kiosk: 5/24/2016 - Dodgers Links - Urias, Calhoun and Clayton Kershaw

This is a tradition that I'm sure many are going to miss.  Featured above, via a pic by Jon SooHoo, are the umpires from last nights game tipping their caps to the Vin Scully.

For years umpires from throughout the league have honored the man behind the mic with this symbolic gesture before the start of a game, and it'll be strange to not see this ritual once he's gone.

As for the game... Well, Clayton Kershaw is the best.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"It speaks to Clayton. He knows where we're at, where our bullpen is at, how taxed they've been," said A.J. Ellis, who caught all 17 innings Sunday and was back in there Monday with Yasmani Grandal nursing a bruised foot. "For Clayton to meet that challenge and expectations every night, it seems like every time he's pitching it's coming off a tired bullpen. What he's done so far, giving those guys a blow, you should have seen the reception he got coming in from those guys. Expectations are off the charts, they seem unmeetable and he keeps meeting them. His consistency is mindblowing. Our expectations are unfair, what we expect him to do. Yet, he meets them.

"We all know how fortunate we are. I hope all of baseball realizes what they're watching right now. I know Los Angeles, with the ovation he gets going out there for the ninth inning, appreciates his work and completing his job. We don't take it for granted. We see what he puts into it. We are in awe with the consistency, and it's fair to say we all raise our game on the day he pitches."

Dodgers defeated the Reds 1-0.  The only run in the game scored on a double-play ball in the sixth inning.  Go here to check out some pics from the game via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1973 Willie Davis recorded six hits in an 19 inning loss to the Mets.  BTW, both teams established a NL record for hitting into an combined nine double plays.
• Happy Birthday, Brad Penny!

Game-Used Dodger Wears at Goldin Auctions

Are you looking for some previously worn Dodger baseball uniforms?  How about a game bat, cap or batting helmet?  All of this and more is currently available at Goldin's October Legends sports collector auction.  Check out some of favorites below:

The Toy Cannon, Jimmy Wynn, once wore this 1975 game-used Dodger jersey.  He had joined the team in 1974 and helped the club towards a National League pennant.  Wynn slashed .271/.387/.497/.884 and was named the Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year.  In '75 he was hampered by a shoulder injury.  After that season he was traded to Atlanta for Dusty Baker.

(Auction Link)

Below is a Clayton Kershaw game jersey from the year he should have won a Cy Young - 2012.  This specific jersey was worn on October 3, 2012 - his last regular season game of the season.  Kershaw went eight innings, gave up one run, three hits and earned his 14th victory of the year.

(Auction Link)

This next shirt is a camo jersey worn on Memorial Day by Adrian Gonzalez in 2013.  Adrian went 4 for 4 that afternoon with two doubles, four runs and an RBI.

(Auction Link)

You don't see too many of these.  Below is Gary Sheffield's 1998 Dodgers jacket.

(Auction Link)

Check out this game bat from Willie Davis below.

(Auction Link)

Or how about a couple of game-used caps from Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig.

(Auction Link)

Best yet, below is Kershaw's NLCS batting helmet from 2013.  It is from Game 6.  Unfortunately, the day this helmet was worn is not a bright spot for the Dodgers or Kershaw.  This was the afternoon Clayton got shelled for seven earned runs against the Cardinals.

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Some Singing Dodgers and Jackie Robinson Rarities at SCP Auctions

Following up on my post from Monday featuring a unique personal note from Jackie Robinson to a fan, I though I'd share more Dodger goodies available on auction at SCP.

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Check out this signed and personalized laminated photo of six members of the 1963 World Championship Dodgers signing a tune.  From left to right: Frank Howard, Tommy Davis, Ron Perranoski, Willie Davis, Don Drysdale and Moose Skowron.  I am unsure what event this photograph was taken at, but don't they all look rather dashing?  I wonder what they are singing.  Maybe a showtune; which were popular in those days.  Do you think they took their act to Broadway, or Las Vegas?

This photo originates from the family of Moose Skowron.  BTW, this identical group got together on national television to sing a song.  A video of that appearance is below.

(Auction Link)

As I promised above, here is a video of the troupe singing together during an 1963 taping of the Joey Bishop Show.

Video Link:

Here is something you do not see everyday.  Below is a game-used bat that was once held by Jackie Robinson.  It has been documented as being from the 1949 season, an MVP year for him, and is thought to be one of only two known bats from this season to still exist.  I suspect this will sell for a bunch.

(Auction Link)

I know this last item will sell for a whole truckload of greenbacks.  Featured below is Jackie Robinson's personal presentation Hall of Fame plaque given to him during his induction into the Hall of Fame in 1962.  This item originates from the Jackie Robinson estate.

Unfortunately, the Hall didn't give inductees bronze-like plaques to keep in their homes.  Instead, this presentation plaque is an illustration (photograph) that was been mated and placed within a brown leather frame.  From the auction description:

It should be noted that the original (1962) plaque made no mention of the fact that Robinson broke baseball’s color-barrier and differs from that which resides in Cooperstown today. The current plaque was re-cast in 2008 with text added in the final line that reads: “Displayed tremendous courage and poise in 1947 when he integrated the modern major leagues in the face of intense adversity”.

(Auction Link)

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Blog Kiosk: 10/21/2014 - Dodger Links - Kershaw Named Player of the Year by Baseball America

Andrew McCutchen, Joey Porter and Matt Kemp were at Heinz Field last night to enojoy some pregame banter at last night's Monday Night Football game in Pittsburgh, pic above via @steelers on twitter.  The Steelers defeated the Texans, 30 - 23, largely due to a huge offensive explosion in the second quarter of the game; they scored 24 of their 30 points then.

Below are some links to check out:

• Continuity, baby!  Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Source: Scouts returning for 2015."
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Davises, Strawberry to enter L.A. City Section Hall of Fame."
• Via TMZ, "Dodgers Star Hanley Ramirez My Lambo Spits FIRE!"  Check out the TMZ article to see it breath fire.

(pic via Hanley in instagram)

TMZ Sports has learned ... Hanley dropped around $550k for a white 2014 Lamborghini Aventador -- but wanted to make it stand out ... so he went to The Auto Firm in Miami and upgraded the exhaust to one that spits flames. 

• Dodger collector Night Owl Cards writes a wonderful piece entitled, "That Year Was Next Year."  

My attachment to the Kansas City Royals doesn't come from living in the Midwest or because their colors are similar to the Dodgers or because I want the Giants to lose when the World Series starts. It's not even because I remember the Royals' victory in the '85 Series. No, my attachment began in 1976 when the Royals took on the Yankees and were demoralized by Chris Chambliss' home run off of Mark Littell.

• Via Scott Andes at Lasorda Lair, "Schebler, Sweeney Heating Up, Seager Off to Slow Start in Arizona Fall League."
• The Awards for Clayton Kershaw are only beginning to start.  Via Bill Shaikin at Baseball America he was named the PLayer of the Year: "Major League Player Of The Year: Baseball’s Best Pitcher Keeps Looking Ahead."

(cover via @BenBadler on twitter)

• BTW, for the fourth season in a row Atlanta Braves closer Craig Kimbrel and newcomer Yankees reliever Dellin Betances were named the 2014 Goose Gosage Award winners yesterday by the Baseball Bloggers Alliance.  The Goose Gosage Award recognizes the best reliever in each league. I had picked Kimbrel on my National League ballot.  Furthermore, late last week, White Sox Jose Abreau and NY Met Jacob deGrom were named the Willie Mays Award winners for their respective league.  This award recognizes this past season rookie of the year.  Go here to see who were my picks for the BBA (Baseball Bloggers Alliance) Post Season Awards.

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The 1962 Union Oil Dodgers Player Portrait Set - A Newly Completed Set for My Collection

WooHoo!  There's nothing like the joy of a completed set.

Last week, I was able to finally finish off another Dodgers Union Oil Player Portrait set.  This time I was able to complete the 1962 Union Oil Dodgers Player Portraits set, and I have scanned it in its entirety in order to share.  Earlier in the year, I snagged a 1969 Union Oil set for a bargain of a price.  This time, I had to build this set from several large lots I was able to find on eBay. 

As you know, these portraits feature drawings by noted artist Nicholas Volpe. The 1962 set consist of 24 different sheets, and measure 8 1/2" x 11".  I am not entirely sure if these were given out by select Union Oil gas stations or were a giveaway at games at Dodger Stadium.  My trusted standard catalog doesn't provide any clues about that, but it does mention that it has been reported that as many as 200,000 copies of each portrait was produced.  I know that sounds like a lot, but considering the passage of time it's likely a vast majority of them are long gone.  Still, it's a gorgeous set that tends to command a premium when in great condition.

Check out the entire set below.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

BTW, I've got only the 1964 set remaining to complete, and  I only need 3 more sheets - Willie Davis, Joe Moeller and Lee Walls.

Larry Burright

Doug Camilli

Andy Carey

Tommy Davis

Willie Davis

Don Drysdale

Ron Fairly

Jim Gilliam

Tim Harkness

Frank Howard

Sandy Koufax

Joe Moeller

Wally Moon

Ron Perranoski

Johnny Podres

Ed Roebuck

John Roseboro

Larry Sherry

Norm Sherry

Duke Snider

Daryl Spencer

Lee Walls

Stan Williams

Maury Wills

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