Iconic Memorabilia: Koufax, Campy and the Brady Bunch

Everywhere I turn there are some great unusual Dodger items around.

Below is an original painting by Robert Stephen Simon of Sandy Koufax. It is titled "King of the Hill."

Auction Link:Koufax Painting:

Roy Campanella is one of the great Dodgers in franchise history. Below is a game used chest protector he wore during his time on the diamond.

A fabulous vintage relic from one of the greatest catchers to ever play the game, offered here is a MacGregor Goldsmith navy blue chest protector worn during Campy's tenure with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Personally gifted by Campy to famed talk show host Joe Franklin and his "Memory Lane" collection of memorabilia, Franklin states in the letter of provenance, "This fascinating memento of baseball history...has been a very important part of my Memory Lane Collection of Memorabilia since Roy himself "retired" it permanently to my Memory Lane Collection in 1975 following a personal appearance he made on the 'Joe Franklin Show'."

Auction Link: Campy Chest Protector:

I could not write about this auction without showing this gem. The vase below is an actual prop from one of my favorite television shows- The Brady Bunch. Years ago as a younger man I would come home from elementary school and be immediately enthralled by their family high-jinks. Now, I can relive my 70's fantasies by putting this nondescript vase along the stairway. Well, maybe not.

Auction Link: Brady Bunch Prop:

Free Gil Hodges

Photo Link: Barnes and Noble:

It's time to finally get Gil Hodges into the Hall of Fame. Check out Jerry Crowe's excellent story about this decades long pursuit in the LA Times.

Supporters say that Hodges, who in 1969 managed the "miracle" New York Mets to a World Series championship and in 1972 died from a heart attack two days before his 48th birthday, belonged in Cooperstown years ago.

"It's beyond us why he hasn't been elected," says Marty Adler of Plainview, N.Y., founder and president of the Brooklyn Dodgers Hall of Fame and distributor of a bumper sticker -- "Cooperstown Needs Gil Hodges -- that plainly spells out his sentiment. "Some people say I'm so prejudiced toward the Brooklyn Dodgers that I can't accept the fact that he's just not good enough.

"But you're supposed to look at a player during his playing tenure, and in my honest opinion he was clearly the best first baseman of an entire decade."

Blog Kiosk: 12/7/2008

One athlete shots himself. Another guy shoots his mouth off. And an old veteran gets his due. How terrible has sports related news been lately?

• Check out this new Dodger blog that focuses on Dodger Baseball cards called "Garvey Cey Russell Lopes." If you know of any other Dodger blogs out there not already on my Dodger blogroll please let me know about it.
• Thanks to Roberto at Vinny Scully is My Homeboy he points us to Mike Davis's blog. You know, the unsung hero from the 1988 World Series. He got that important walk in front of Kirk Gibson. Anyway, he has a blog and he writes about the Dodgers. Go and check it out and give him a hearty hello!
• Check that out. Big League Chew speculates that Manny just might take arbitration.
  
• They're Melting! If you happen to read Russian please go the the link and let me know what this is all about. (Hat Tip: Oliver Willis)
  
• DePodesta throws in a bit of honesty.

  In all candor, the other part of this deal is the trade of Khalil's contract which was due to pay him $6.5 million in 2009. There are times when we have to make tough choices, and unfortunately finances do play a role.

• Cards In the Attic discovers the 1992 MAD Magazine card set.
• Ben Henry's Epic. He is setting the poem "Casey at the Bat" to Baseball cards on his blog- The Baseball Card Blog. It's really brilliant. Go to this link and start from the bottom to the top at "Lines 1 & 2." Below is one of the cards he transformed into a stanza from the poem.
• How is it that I've never gotten a foul ball at a ball game, yet Zach Hample and his legion of readers seem to snag a prize with regularity? It's just not fair.
  
• Little "Big" Leagues brought to you by ImprovEverywhere. This must have been a great thrill for these kids.
  

YouTube Link: ImprovEverywhere:
HatTip: Kladblog:

AMSportsCards: Vintage Photos

Below are some great vintage photos that recently sold in an auction earlier in the week through AMSportsCards.com. I love these old black & white's. They just seem to exhibit more clarity and depth unseen in modern color photos. They are like snapshots in time with only the basic shades of light and dark available to tell a story.

Here is the mighty Duke Snider in a team issued photo, circa 1940's. A Dodger team stamp is on the reverse. It sold for an astounding $974.05.

Auction Link: Snider:

Roy Campanella is crouched under the bright sun of a summer sky. It's like the heavens have opened up just for him. Have you ever seen a bigger smile? It sold for $307.05.

Auction Link: Campanella:

As the auction description says, this is a haunting photograph. A young Babe Ruth is posed at home plate with bleach white makeup on and a strange haze surrounding his presence. It was taken by the Philadelphia Daily News at the Polo Grounds. He was probably in the midst of filming his debut movie "Headin' Home." It sold for $612.95. By the way, if you ever want to watch the movie go to the newly opened Sports Museum of Los Angeles. In the Ruth exhibit they run the entire film for fans to see.

Auction Link: Ruth "Heading Home":

Here is another Ruth photo from another of his movies- "Babe Come Home." He is acknowledging the crowd as he crosses home plate after, what I assume was, a monstrous home run. The funny thing about this pic is the large LA emblem on his chest. In the movie he played for the Los Angeles Angels. It sold for $253.00.

Auction Link: Ruth "Babe Comes Home":

Here are two legendary figures from the pre-war era of Baseball. Coach Connie Mack stands stoically next to his star pitcher Robert "Lefty" Grove. The two Hall of Famers had just completed three consecutive World Series appearances while winning 2 titles in the process. They are obviously looking confident and wanting for more. It was taken at the start of 1932 season. It sold for $338.10.

Auction Link: Connie Mack & Lefty Grove:

Blog Kiosk: 11/30/2008

Whoops! I had this post all ready to go on Sunday and I just plain forgot to push publish.

• Andre is back to blogging. He introduces us to some down-home cooking in AZ in preparation for Spring Training.
• I would like to echo Jon's Thoughts.
  

  If the McCourts want to make a real statement about what's appropriate in the economy, a statement that their fans will relate to and appreciate, then build some fields and cut ticket, food, concession and parking prices. If they want fans to tighten the belt of their expectations, then they need to tighten the belt of their revenue.

  Otherwise, just focus on getting the best players, and leave the morality out of it. I'll root for an austere team in austere times, but I'll have a lot more trouble embracing hypocrisy.

• Rest In Peace, Tanta. For those of you who read business/finance blogs, then you must have run into Tanta. Doris "Tanta" Dungey was a guiding light in the confusion that was the "mortgage meltdown." No one could explain this mess better than her. Her writings and insight will be sorely missed as we trudge along into the wilderness. My condolences to her family and friends.
  
• To be young and a star. The Nennth Inning has some photos of Giant phenom Tim Lincecum. Here's a weird pic of Lincecum. He's on the left.
• Since we are in the midst of the hockey season I thought I would pass along a recent news story about one of my favorite players- Marcel Dionne. (Hat Tip: Inside the Kings:)
  
• George Brett is absolutely hilarious. He is caught below telling a story about an unfortunate incident with food poisoning in Las Vegas. Warning: language is a bit adult.
  

(Hat Tip: 30-year Old Cardboard)

Happy Thanksgiving

Pic Link: Jews' Next Door:

TURKEY IN THE BARNYARD

Turkey in the barnyard, what does he say?
Gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble all day.
Turkey on the table, what do I say?
Yummy, yummy, yummy, yummy, yummy all day.
Turkey in my tummy, what do I say?
I ate too much on Thanksgiving Day!