Sotheby's/ SCP Aution: Johnny Cooney and Gil

Sotheby's/ SCP has some great rare items in their upcoming auction. They have trophies (like NY's 1999 World Series Trophy) to signed Baseballs (Cy Young)(Ty Cobb)(Babe Ruth). Of course, nothing beats a letter from Baseball's meanest and most despised man, Ty Cobb. Check out his letter here. He writes about how "They Ruined Baseball."

The below lot just leaves me breathless. They are auctioning off a collection of 24 framed and matted Sporting Life Baseball team composite pictures from 1903 to 1908. They are in pristine condition and feature nearly every major Baseball star from the era.

Auction Link: Group of 24 framed and matted 1903 to 1908 Sporting Life team composites:

The Cooney family was an early Baseball dynasty.

Johnny Cooney was the youngest of the "Cranston Cooneys," a Rhode Island ballplaying dynasty begun in the 1890s by James Joseph Cooney, whose four sons all played pro ball. Two brothers never got to the majors, but Johnny strung together 20 seasons in the big leagues that saw him adapt from a pitcher to a potent hitter and outstanding outfielder. His career was spent primarily with the Boston Braves and Brooklyn Dodgers, where he thrived under the tutelage of Casey Stengel.

Below is his game worn Brooklyn Dodger home uniform from 1936 and is very rare. It is one of only two known (still existing) pinstripe Dodger jerseys from 1936.

Auction Link: 1936 Johnny Cooney Brooklyn Dodger Home Uniform:

Gil Hodges was a fan favorite. From his early days as a Dodger player to his later career as manager, he always received the adoration of fans and players alike. The silver plate below was an early symbol of that popularity. It was presented to him on July 19, 1957 by his fellow Dodger teammates as recognition as winner of "Player Popularity Award." On a side note, why isn't he in the Hall of Fame? His playing career and the World Championship with the Miracle Mets in 1969 should be more than enough.

In his 16 seasons with the Dodgers, Hodges anchored the lineup during their Brooklyn heyday, hitting at least 30 home runs a season from 1950 to 1954. He knocked 100+ RBIs each year from 1949 to 1955 seasons. Known as the best defensive first baseman in baseball, the six-time All-Star also won Gold Glove for the first three years that they were awarded, 1957-59.

Auction Link: 1957 Silver Popularity Award from Gil Hodges:

The Legend of Troy From West Virginia Grows Larger and Other Videos

I didn't catch this, but Roberto got the video with a little help from Nick. Joe Beimel made the team introductions and gave a shout out to Troy from West Virginia by introducing Andre Ethier as his biggest fan.

Video Link: tinypic:

From the infamous Troy himself, below is a video he put together featuring Dodger futility over the past decade.



YouTube Link:TroyfromWestVirginia:

Below is just over 2 minutes from game 2 of the 1956 World Series between the Dodgers and Yankees.



YouTube Video Link: shippingeverywhere:

Natalia of Silent String Entertainment was at a Dodger caravan before Spring training started and got some interviews from Andre Ethier and James Loney.



YouTube Link: silentstring:

Huggins & Scott Auction: Dodger Rarities

Huggins & Scott just closed their recent auction and it included a couple of Dodger rarities. Below are a two 1952 Tip Top Bread labels of Gil Hodges and Duke Snider. They are very rare. These flimsy paper labels were placed at the end your loaf of bread. So they often became damaged or easily discarded. These two label are in rough condition with tears and creases throughout. Nevertheless, they sold for a lofty $850.00.

Auction Link: 1952 Tip Top Bread Labels: Snider and Hodges:

Carl Horner was one of Baseball's original photographic pioneers. He photographed them all, from Cobb to Wagner. In fact, many of his portraits fill the famous T206 set, including the rare Honus Wagner. Below is an original Carl Horner cabinet photograph that sold of Brooklyn Bridegroom/ Superbas (later to become Dodgers) left fielder Jimmy Sheckard.

Sheckard was an all star player. He could hit, steal and make great plays in the outfield. In 1903, he became the first player to lead the league in both steals and homeruns. One of only three guys to ever do it. In 1901, with the Superbas, Sheckard led the league in triples (19) and slugging (.536) while he hit .353. He also established a 20th Century first by hitting grand slams in consecutive games that year. Currently, he holds the record for double plays by a left fielder and right fielder with 12 and 14. Then, with the Chicago Cubs, he played for championship teams in 1907 and 1908.

In his 17-year career, Sheckard hit .274, with 56 home runs, 813 RBI, 1296 runs, 354 doubles, 136 triples, and 465 stolen bases in 2122 games played.

This rare photo below sold for $800.00.

Auction Link: 1904-05 Carl Horner Cabinet Photo of Jimmy Sheckard:

Swept

We got swept and it doesn't feel good. Arizona came out and just pummeled our pitchers. They had a total of 35 hits in 3 games- batting a healthy .340 for the series. They recorded 4 doubles, 3 triples and 4 homeruns. Three of those homeruns were hit by Mark Reynolds. They just got the hits when it counted. Arizona was like a roaring 18 wheeler rolling down the highway refusing to slow down. We were no match.

Estaban Loaiza was bad from the start. Chad Billingsley looked even worse. Hiroki Kurada hung in there for over 5 innings, but ultimately fell victim to the Diamondback hit machine. Did I mention that they had 35 hits?

I keep telling myself it's too early to get worried. It's too early to start complaining. Nothing can truly be gleaned from such a small sample of games. It's early, right?

So, for now, I'll hold my tongue and bask in the joy of having Baseball back after a long Winter break.

Class Struggle at Dodger Stadium

T.J. Simer's column in the LA Times left me shaking my head. How could the Dodgers deny loyal Dodgers fans access to the field level before games to get autographs? Only ticket holders in the expensive box seats are allowed access. Russell Wise explains in Simer's column.

"My friends tell me I bleed Dodger blue. My faith, though, in the Dodger family, has been shaken. I was lucky enough to get tickets to last Wednesday's game. My seat was on field level section 33, row C, the closest I have ever been to Major League action."
...
"I showed up at the game two hours before the opening pitch and found my seats. Three rows from those new box seats -- I figured it would be a snap to get an autograph. When I made my way toward the stretching players, ball and pen in hand, I was rebuffed. 'New rules,' the attendant said.
...
"Then I saw kids turned back from that magic line between regular seat and box seat. I couldn't believe it, their parents couldn't believe it, and the whole time the privileged few, in the new box seats, got as many autographs and pictures as they liked. At that moment I actually questioned my Dodger loyalty.

"The Dodgers to me have always been about family and tradition. I never thought I'd see the day where a regular kid couldn't get an autograph at a ball game.

This is a travesty. Isn't the pre-game autograph ritual a Baseball tradition? I did it as a child. Heck, I still do it today from time to time. I'm sure most of you tried to get autographs before a game too. How could they be so callous and arrogant?

Simer's goes on to write that the Dodger solution is to open up the centerfield gate. Of course, this no solution at all. Players rarely ever roam to deep centerfield, and, from some accounts, players have not been found there the past three games in LA.

Story Link: LA Times:

Hu Helps Win the Game

What else can I write that has not already been written? Last nights win was big. Derek Lowe was shaky, but he gave up only 2 runs on 5 hits. Our offense was nonexistent, but they were able to scrap up enough runs to win. Chin-Lung Hu ended up the as the hero of the game as he made a great defensive play to catch Brian Giles at third base in the 3rd inning and drove in the winning run in the 9th inning.

Hu will be one of those instrumental pieces that a ballclub needs in order to win a division. He is a master with glove, plays defense with great intelligence and can hit well enough to be a everyday starter.

Of greater concern, at least in the Dodger-centric blogger world, has been the outfield situation surrounding Juan Pierre and Matt Kemp. Tonight it is expected that Pierre will start in left field again. That would be 3 starts in the row, and 4 games out of the first 7. Matt Kemp has been on the outside looking in as our expected starting right fielder has been more friendly with the bench than the grass.

Are these recent moves something to be worried about yet? I don't think so. I have faith that Joe Torre with make the realization that we all have made- Matt Kemp has superior upside to that of Juan Pierre. That fact is as plain as day and Torre can do nothing but accept it. Sure, he will give Pierre an opportunity to get some swings (especially early on), but he knows that Matt Kemp will be our ultimate solution.