Auction Roundup: Mastro, CSA, MHCC,

Mastro auctions a timely lithograph from sports artist Bill Dawson. Produced in 1958, this drawing features the Brooklyn Dodgers "Bum" hitchhiking his way to the Dodgers new home at the Coliseum. Do you have your tickets for the upcoming March 29th game? I just got mine and I can't wait. This item sold for $150.00 and included another lithograph about the 1959 World Series.
Auction Link: Mastro:

Below is one of the rarest of all Jackie Robinson vintage collectibles, especially in this condition. This doll was created in 1950 and was sold only within the African-American community. It includes the very rare original tag and is in incredible condition. It rivals the doll I saw for sale in the famous Barry Halper collection about a decade ago. The only thing missing here is the original box. This doll sold for $890.00 earlier last month.
Auction Link: CSA:

Below is one of the rarest of all Baseball promotional items. I'll let Mile High Card Company describe it.

Presented is without question one of the rarest baseball collectibles ever issued as well as being one of the most visually appealing items to commemorate the immortal Joe Jackson. The offered collectible was issued by the George Frost Company of Boston, Massachusetts in what is widely considered to be their second offering of window store advertisements. Each of the 12 subjects from within the issue measures 4”x 8-1/4” and is printed on a thin cardboard stock displaying period lithography of the featured player... In our research we have found that there most likely is around a half dozen copies of this card known to exist.

It sold for an incredible $86,975.85.

Auction Link: MHCC:

Can you ever get enough of Babe Ruth in a Dodger uniform? Below is an original 1938 press photo from World Wide Photos that sold for $626.28.
Auction Link: MHCC:

Weekly Blog Kiosk

More links to wet your whistle.

• In case you haven't seen ESPN's Dodgertown tribute by Eric Neel click here. It's a must see!
• Saito experiences a calf strain, but he ask us not to worry.

  Just a note, everyone should not worry about me, and I appreciate reports.

• Tony Jackson praises Delwyn Young.

  What I can't figure out is how this guy has stayed under the radar for so many years while coming up through the minors. He can really play.

• It's time to give him his due. Maury Wills should be in the Hall of Fame and you can help.
  
• These guys have serious man-crush on Russell Martin. The R-Mart Authority.
  
• The Infamous Tatiana explains it so well. Ten Reasons Why I Love Baseball.
  
• Have you ever wanted to be a sports photographer? Well, Wax Heaven has a great interview with photographer Paul Gierhart. Also, check out his interview with photographer Jerry Hale last month.
• Great find Sunshine! The Phillies pull a Spring Training prank on Kyle Kendrick.

YouTube Link: DavidTyreeMVP:

• Do you remember this 80's commercial for Baseball stickers? Stalegum does.
  

YouTube Link: sentiendtrend:

• Stealing sports collectibles is becoming a disturbing trend. Sports Collectors Daily shares some recent stories.
• The 5 Wimpiest Sports Injuries of All Time.
• Topps and Donruss did some good deeds. Cincy Reds Cards recently shared his story about Katrina.

  My home of two weeks that I had wanted to buy for as long as I remember was washed away. Along with 25 years of collecting and a lifetime of momentos. All the Reds cards, photos, autos and stuff I had made a special room for (I was single) were gone. It was tough but you move on. About two weeks later the owner of Gulf Coast Sports Cards and Memorabilia in Biloxi, MS came to see me. Matt had written some companies after the storm about a few of us collectors and what we had lost. Matt came bearing gifts. From various card companies. Topps and Donruss had sent cases of baseball, football and basketball.

• I've added two new Dodger Blogs to the blogroll, Go Dodgers and Dodger Daydreams. Go check them out.
  

eBay: Vintage Dodger Oddball

It has been awhile since I've done any posting about Dodger related eBay auctions. So, I thought I'd put up 3 items to make up for it.

Below is a true fan collectible. I can imagine going to the stadium with my new camera in hand- excited about what should be a perfect day. You pull out the camera and try to work the switches. Your no professional. Heck, you can barely frame the subject right. All you care about is getting a photo of the man who would help change Baseball. You creep down the aisle and stand alongside the team dugout. The man they call Pee Wee gives you a smile and happily agrees to pose for you. Click! It's a moment of time captured in an instant. Some sixty years later that photo ends up on eBay for fans like you and I to admire.
eBay Auction Link: Pee Wee Reese Vintage Fan Photo:

The Brooklyn Dodgers were the original Cubs. They lost plenty and always with style. In honor of that, the Dodger Bum was created. He epitomized the team. They were bums, but they were our bums. Below is a rare 1949 Brooklyn Dodgers Bum plastic toy produced by Rempel of Ohio.
eBay Auction Link: Brooklyn Bum:

The Dodgers moving to Los Angeles was a Hollywood event. Movie stars and musicians, both famous and obscure, flocked to games in large numbers. Some of them even recorded songs to express their newfound love of the team. Below is a 45RPM record I have never seen before. It is of a song called "We love the Dodgers" and is recorded by Jimmie Maddin & The Sundowners. What is great about this item is that it features a photo of the LA Coliseum- the Dodgers first home in LA.

“I walked into Sears Robuck cold and convinced them to invest in 10,000 copies. I organized 6 or 8 Ballplayers to show up in stores and autograph pictures and the records. There were lines around the stores all over Los Angeles. I had the best players do the autographs: Ron Perranoski, Wally Moon, Frank Howard, they were a great team.” Johnny Grant was playing the record, so Bob Ferris got me in to do a broadcast from Walter O’Malley’s booth at Dodger Stadium for KNX radio. We went and had lunch with Walter and Peter O’Malley, Vin Scully was there – O’Malley kept bringing me beer and food – he was a hell of a guy”. Bob Ferris was doing an interview and Walter O’Malley was serving me lunch. Danny Goodman ran the consessions, so Marv Fischer and I sold the records in the stands of the Dodger Stadium”.

Link for Jimmie Madden quote above.

I was debating whether I wanted to highlight this auction since I was considering bidding on it. Who needs the competition, right? After all, this is something you don't see everyday. Then, I realized I don't have a record player so what's the point? My loss is your gain.
eBay Auction Link: 1950's We Love The Dodgers Record:

More Tickets Available For Coliseum Game

If you missed out on tickets for the Coliseum game you'll get one more chance. 25,000 more tickets will be made available this coming Saturday.

Faced with continuing demand for tickets for the Dodgers' return to the Coliseum on March 29 despite an early sellout, the club has announced an additional 25,000 tickets will go on sale Saturday, increasing the capacity to 115,000 for the exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox.

Go here to buy tickets.

Story Link: LA Times:
Pic Link: Die Hard Baseball:

Saito Resumes Blogging

Takashi Saito has started blogging again, but I need a better translator.

Today's dinner,

Roasted ginger pork, roast, shrimp and tofu stir-fry of Chinese-style pickles on the, rice,

The lineup.

Chef Takashi pitcher Takashi & Good luck.

I cook for a change of pace, it's going to refresh good.

Eat while talking with friends piled into and ultimately enjoy the adulation, "Horse!"

HAPPY HAPPY And praised it for good, and I HAPPY, HAPPY all of the effect of killing two birds with one stone.

Yum... ginger pork.

Blog Link: Saito:

Thank You Dodgertown

The Dodgers are set to say "Thank You" for 60 wonderful years.

“As is the case whenever a family contemplates moving out of the neighborhood, the idea is met with mixed emotions, bittersweet feelings, parties, and promises to keep in touch,” said Dodger Owner Frank McCourt. “When the family is as large as the Dodgers and their tenure in this town is as long as six decades, these sentiments are magnified. But regardless of where we practice in the future, our 60th anniversary affords us an opportunity to come together to reminisce, exchange warm greetings, and make sure we keep our relationships intact.”

The Dodgers are planning some pregame events to honor those who have contributed to both the Dodgers and Vero Beach. Below is a list of honorees. Also, employees of Dodgertown will be honored during the seventh inning stretch.

Unfortunately, I will not be heading out to Vero Beach this coming March for the Dodgers last stay at Dodgertown. I've had three wonderful trips out there the past 5 years and have enjoyed every minute. On the other hand, I will be heading to Arizona later in the month to catch some southwestern desert sun.

• Feb. 28 vs. Atlanta- Maury Wills.
• March 2 vs.Mets- Steve Garvey. He will also be having a book signing at Holman Stadium (Dodgertown) for his upcoming book, "My Bat Boy Days: Lessons I Learned From the Boys of Summer." Also, March 2 will also be highlighted by the annual “Meet the Dodgers Day” presented by Comcast, when fans can get autographs and take pictures with their favorite Dodger players from 12:00-12:30 p.m.
• March 3 vs. Orioles- John Shelby.
• March 4 vs. Nationals- Manny Mota. Fireworks after the game.
• March 7 vs. Cardinals- Rick Monday.
• March 9 vs. Red Sox- Vin Scully & Jaime Jarrin. This will also be the first televised game of the year! On KCAL 9 at 10:05 AM.
  
• March 11 vs. Marlins- Dick Crago the public address announcer at Dodgertown.
• March 12 vs. Nationals- Bump Holman, son of Bud Holman who convinced the Dodgers to train in Vero Beach & members of the Mulvey Family who were part owners of the team from 1938-75.
• March 14 vs. Cardinals- Dr. Frank Jobe
• March 16 vs. Marlins- Longtime executive Billy DeLury and Craig Callan Vice President for Spring Training.
• March 17 vs. Astros- Tommy Lasorda. Also, this is St. Patrick's Day and the Dodgers will be coming out in green uniforms and hats.
  

Go here to the Dodger website for more information about Spring Training events.