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Here is another edition of Dodgers Vintage Spokesmen. Back in the day, most players had second jobs during the off-season. After all, a Major League salary could only take you up so high the economic ladder. If you wanted to survive you needed to be like every other American and work all year round. A fortunate few had the opportunity to supplement their income by pitching their fans all kinds of products.
"Carl Erskine of the Brooklyn Dodgers won his place among Baseball's immortals on October 3, 1953, in the third game of the World Series. He fanned 14 Yankees including two ninth-inning pinch hitters to set a new strike-out record for the Fall Classic!"
I think the artwork on these kinds of collectibles are overlooked. As time goes on they tend to fade from the memories of fans everywhere. 
Here is a unique advertising tear sheet featuring a relaxed and debonaire Jim Gilliam found on eBay. He looks well rested with a bottle of RC Cola. He says, "RC is the cola I drink because RC taste so good." I don't doubt him. RC is one of my favorites, also. This sheet was created in 1955, so I wonder if he was hired after his World Series saving catch. Certainly, it made him a more recognizable player to fans. Anyway, it is a great collectible and may be one of a kind. How many of these could possibly exist?
Here is a great vintage magazine advertisement page selling the "Breakfast of Champions" Wheaties cereal. I just love the artwork, and better yet, Brooklyn Dodger outfielder Pete Reiser, the Champion Base Stealer of the National League, had signed on to be the pitchman."Pistol Pete" was charges with 34 stolen bases during 1946. He committed 6 more felonies than any other cushion copper in big-league Baseball.(eBay Auction Link)
"Don't catch me missinG an important meal like breakfast when a dish of milk, fruit, and Wheaties is on the menu" says champion Pete Reiser. "Those whole wheat flakes come through in the nourishment department- and they've got a flavor that makes 'em mighty easy to take." Make it Wheaties, "Breakfast of Champions," every morning.
"Among Reiser's loot were 7 thefts of home plate. With these master burglaries, Pete carried off a modern Major League record."
Dixie Walker was "The People's Cherce" in the 40's. He was as popular as they come. They worshiped him on the field and sang his praises on the streets. Dixie was as loved as any ballplayer could be. On the other hand, his well deserved adoration was nothing compared to the nations number one breakfast meal, and Walker knew it. Check out this circa 1946 advertisement below. "Talk about popularity," says Dixie Walker. "I'm voting all-time honors to Wheaties. They're the breakfast time favorites of many ballplayers I know- and they're my favorites, too. Wheaties solid nourishment and grand flavor make them my choice for starting breakfast about every morning of the year."
When you hear the word stanky the last thing that comes to mind is ballplayer Eddies Stanky. Heck, you are more likely to run away in disgust than marvel at his magic. The Urban Dictionary defines it as "extremely smelly, not just the nasty kind," and it can get even more profane from there. "The Brooklyn Dodger diminutive infielder is a master of fouling good pitches, taking bad pitches... and waiting for a pass to first.Not only that, he loves his Wheaties.
Stanky earned more passes than any National Leaguer during 1946. In 1945 he set a league record with 148 bases on balls... and led in runs scored with 128 tallies."
I'm a sucker for a good ad. Aren't you? Throw in a little splash of color, and maybe a nicely drawn cartoon to put a smile on my face. Heck, have one of my favorite stars endorse it and I'll melt in your arms. I am, after all, a capitalist dream."Wheaties, with milk or cream and fruit, is my favorite training dish. It's easy to digest, nourishing- and loaded with swell flavor.I'd recommend Wheaties to anyone."I'm sold, where's a bowl. I'm hungry.
Here is another edition of Vintage Dodger Spokesman. Along with Yogi Berra and Bobby Thompson, Jackie Robinson pitched a refreshing sparkling soda drink to the masses in 1953. It was something called White Rock, which apparently still exist today. Here is what Jackie had to say."My favorite is White Rock orange beverage because of the true fruit flavor. And it tastes even better when mixed with ice cream. Try it, kids, for a real enjoyable treat."Mmmmm... that does sound good.
I have more reasons than most people for liking LIFE.As a ball player, as a parent, and as a businessman... I like LIFE.
For one thing, I was lucky enough to have my picture on the cover last year, and I have never received so many letter in my life. One man in Westchester- I think he was an auto dealer- bought a lot of copies and sent them to me to autograph, I made it my business to sign them after the Christmas holidays as I did many of the other requests. It was surprising how many forwarded the actual picture in LIFE for the autograph.
"In Baseball, championships are won by team, not individuals."From August 1959.
Try to steal on Roy Campanella and chances were you'd be out by feet. Try to pitch on past him chances were he'd belt it out of the park. A slick fielder, a smart handler of pitchers- Campy was also fear by many as Baseball's greatest hitting catcher.
In a single season with the Brooklyn Dodgers; he smacked out 41 homers and knocked in 142 runs, a feat no other catcher had ever equaled. Three times named the National League Most Valuable Player, Roy Campanella recently received the highest honor Baseball can bestow- election to the Hall of Fame.
Maybe your son won't become a Baseball great like Roy Campanella. Not many children do become sports stars. But every youngster- including yours- can be as physically fit as the most talented athlete. It will help him get more fun- more of everything- out of life.
Equitable knows how important good health is- and urges you to encourage physical fitnes at home, at school, in your community. When you do, every one comes out ahead. Your country, your family- and most of all, you.
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