Mile High Auction: Dodgers, Ruth and Monroe

Mile High Card Company has a little auction coming up that has a couple of choice items.

It's October 1, 1955 and the Brooklyn Dodgers just beat the Yankees during game 4 of the World Series, 8-5. This win evened the series 2 to 2 so the Dodgers are feeling mighty good. They are jubilant and ready to fight on. In fact, they are so filled with spunk they show off their fist while sporting knowing grins. You see, they know they are about the reverse the trend. They know their drought will soon be over. The Dodgers will soon go on to beat the Yankees. Below is a Associated Press photo capturing the moment.

Auction Link: 1955 Dodgers World Series Photo:

Not only could Babe Ruth hit a Baseball a mile he can drive a golf ball far too. Below is a AP photo of Ruth's backswing while in Florida.

Auction Link: Ruth Golfing Press Photo:

This is my favorite item of the bunch. Marilyn Monroe was gorgeous. This United Artist press photo is incredible.

Auction Link: Marilyn Monroe Photo:

PostSecret eBay Secret

If you've never been to Postsecret it's a great site where viewers submit their own secrets for all to see. This week the above postcard was shown. Unfortunately, it highlights a dirty secret active collectors know about eBay. Fakes are everywhere.

This postcards is a useful warning for anybody using eBay. There are a lot of hucksters there so be careful. Whether it's a signed photo or a antique chair always be aware of possible fakes. My only advice is to do your research, ask for a Certificate of Authenticity from a valid authenticator when appropriate and buy from who you trust.

Weekly Blog Kiosk 4/27/2008

"Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." -Bernard Berenson

• Zach Hample shows off his giant glove at the Rays game in Disney World.

• Baseball as national religion.

  I am ready to urge the claims of international baseball as capable of arousing far more national religious fervor than the more monotonous game of armaments and war.

  From 1919.
  
• Andy at "Things Done To Cards" tries his hand at Menger Sponge Baseball card folding.
• Over the past couple of years we have learned so much about Russell Martin. His childhood, upbringing and leadership on the field have been out in the open for all to examine. I was sure there wasn't much more to know until I found the below story. Several years ago Russell was mugged.

  Late one night in the summer of 2005 he was sitting on a stoop with minor league teammate Beau Dannemiller, trying to cheer up the struggling reliever, when two thieves approached, one wielding a gun. The pair demanded wallets and car keys. "Beau just started getting angry, like he was going to do something," Martin says. "And I'm like, 'Beau, O.K. man, relax.' You never know how you're going to react in a situation like that, but I was so calm. Gave them my wallet and the keys to my buddy's Escalade. They told us to get behind the bushes, so I did." Once Martin was camouflaged by the shrubs, he sprinted away, en route scaling a six-foot fence, which is why you have to love those catchers who run well. He says the thieves were never caught. "The next day I was like, Wow, you never know what might happen to you at any given time. I was just happy to be alive and playing baseball. This was the turning point of my life. You realize how fragile it is, so why not give a little extra effort and have fun with what you're doing?"

  Story Link: petiteleague:

• Considering the current state of the Dodgers this new Dodger blog arrives just in time. Say hello to Dodger Rage!
• NASA just released the largest collection of Hubble telescope pics of universes colliding.

Dodger Videos

Here is another group of Dodgers videos on the net.

abeltran73 has put together a great Dodger collage video.


YouTube Video Link: abeltran73:

What happens when a Dodger fan and Giants fan marry and have a child? You get the video below. Hey, Dodger Mom! You gotta start teaching your kid right.


YouTube Video: kateyp7:

Below is Roger Craig being interviewed by KABC at the Coliseum game.


Online Videos by Veoh.com
YouTube Video Link: KABC:

Here is another KABC interview with Wally Moon and Carl Erskine.


Online Videos by Veoh.com
YouTube Link: KABC:

Fan Satisfaction Ratings

ESPN put out their annual fan satisfaction ratings covering every team in North America's four largest leagues- MLB, NFL, NBA & NHL. As you can see, the Dodgers ranked 77th overall and just 4th against other LA (and vicinity) based franchises.
How sad is it when the OC teams not only beat all of the LA teams, but well outpaced the group? The Ducks and Angels are in the top 10 in the nation.

ESPN summarizes the Dodger fan experience.

Last Year's Rank: 60
Title Track: 41
Ownership: 64
Coaching: 21
Players: 76
Fan Relations: 85
Affordability: 65
Stadium Experience: 48
Bang for the Buck: 107

Looks like Dodgers fans haven't minded going back to their East Coast roots. The replacement of Grady Little with Brooklyn native Joe Torre vaulted the Coaching ranking 45 points. It's also clear Angelenos didn't appreciate every change this year. The Dodgers faithful endured, but clearly hated (given the 31-place Affordability plummet), a 26.9% spike in average ticket prices (up to $26.28, the biggest bump in the bigs), plus a 50% rise in parking costs, to $15. An upper-deck seat behind home plate is still just $9, but fans must save pennies to enjoy the newly renovated Field Level. "It makes me thankful for two things," wrote Xeifrank on dodgerthoughts.baseballtoaster.com. "Home games are televised and parking in my driveway is free." This season marks the Dodgers 50th b-day in the City of Angels, but not everyone feels like celebrating. - Doug Mittler

McCourt continues to have a lot of work to do. Not only that, the Kings, my other sports team passion, of the NHL have a long way to go.

Story Link: ESPN Ratings:
Hat Tip: Inside The Kings:

Heritage Auction: Jackie, A's and Ancient Balls

Heritage Galleries has an upcoming auction that includes a great Jackie Robinson artifact. After the 1956 season Jackie Robinson was traded to the hated Giants for cash and mediocre middle relief pitcher Dick Littlefield. Jackie refused to go. As the story goes, Jackie considered the Giants to be the enemy and joining them would be treasonous. The letter below, however, seems to refute that story.

Heritage is auctioning a January 14, 1957 letter written by Jackie Robinson officially announcing his retirement from Baseball to New York Giants owner Horace Stoneham. Within it, Jackie indicated no ill feelings towards the Giants. In fact, he compliments them.

Dear Mr. Stoneham:

After due consideration I have decided to request to be placed on the voluntary retired list as I am going to devote my full time to the business opportunities that have been presented.

My sincere thanks to you and to Mr. Feeney for your wonderful cooperation and understanding in this matter.

I assure you that my retirement has nothing to do with my trade to your organization. From all I have heard from people who have worked with you it would have been a pleasure to have been in your organization.

Again my thanks and continued success for you and the New York Giants.

Sincerely,

(signed) Jackie Robinson

Auction Link: 1957 Jackie Robinson Signed Retirement Letter:

Also available is an incredible 1929 World Series Champion Philadelphia A's autographed photo album.

"All of this elite squad's legends are present and accounted for, with Foxx, Cochrane, Collins, Simmons, Grove and Connie Mack representing the Hall of Fame contingent. Other notables include the very tough Thomas Shibe, 1919 Black Sox manager Kid Gleason, Dykes, Earnshaw, Quinn, Walberg, Boley and more."

This is one of the greatest team in history. Below is the reverent Connie Mack.

Eddie Collins

Jimmy Foxx

1919 Chicago Black Sox manager Kid Gleason.

Auction Link: 1929 Philadelphia Athletics Team Signed Photographic Portrait Album:

Below is a circa 1870 lemon peel Baseball.

The infancy of our National Pastime is represented by this ancient homemade sphere used in the years immediately following our American Civil War. You'll first note the unique stitching pattern, quite different from the figure-eight model that has dominated the game for well over a century, and then the enormous heft of the ball despite the fact that the circumference is actually smaller than modern examples.

Imagine playing with something like this.
Auction Link: 1870 Lemon Peel Baseball: