Videos: Manny, the Babe and the 1966 Pennant Race

Below is a video of Manny's first day at Dodger Stadium. I had not seen this before so it was nice to be reminded about his great season last year with the Blue Crew.

YouTube Link: preciosadesiree:

Here is a great video featuring Babe Ruth in "Fancy Curves."

YouTubeVideo: DashHopes1:
Hat Tip: Walk Off Walk:

Here are a series of great lost interviews with the 1966 Dodgers as they race towards a pennant.

YouTube Video:Footage World:

Wolf, Garland or Looper?

ESPN tells us that the Dodgers are chasing three starting pitchers with the desire to sign one of them. They are former Dodger Randy Wolf, former White Sox and Angel Jon Garland and converted reliever Braden Looper.

The rumors that the Dodgers and Randy Wolf were getting close to a deal appear to be wrong.

Last weekend, it appeared that conversations had heated up between Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti and Wolf's agent, Arn Tellem. But indications Friday were that the two sides hadn't spoken in several days.

I don't really see much of a difference between the three pitchers. So, I would be fine with any of them as our end of the rotation guy. Although, I always thought Jon Garland had some good stuff with the White Sox. He may be the best bet since he isn't too far removed from his 18 win seasons in 2005 and 2006.

Rare Photo Sold on eBay

This is a very rare photograph of a Baseball team that dates to the early 1860's. It is a ambrotype photograph and measures 5 1/4 by 4 1/4 inches. Notice how large the bats are. They are very representational of the giant clubs that were used back then. Also, the uniforms (especially the belts) and facial hair styles give away the date. Unfortunately, it has some serious condition problems. Nevertheless, it sold for a healthy $1,325.00.

Hat Tip: Vintage Baseball Card Forum:

SCP Auctions: Photos, Pennants, Silver and Cigars

SCP Auction is the only locally based sports collectible auction house. They run usually 2 or 3 auctions a year and typically have some great quality items available. This time around they have some unique Dodger related collectibles.

As some of you may know, O'Malley made some attempts to keep the Dodgers in Brooklyn. One of these plans included building a new stadium in the burrough. Below are 2 wire photos featuring the proposed complex. It was conceived as either a domed or open air stadium, would seat 50,000 fans and could be completed by 1958. Furthermore, the seats would be movable to accommodate different sporting events.

SCP Auction Link: Proposed Brooklyn Dodgers Stadium:

Here is a 23" long Brooklyn Dodger pennant with a caption picture of Pee Wee Reese.

SCP Auction Link: Reese Pennant:

The item below came originally from the estate of the former commissioner of Baseball, Bowie Kuhn. It is a 1990 Silver Los Angeles Dodgers Season Pass. It was created by Tiffany & Co. and has an engraved 100th Anniversary Dodger logo, facsimile Peter O'Malley's signature and Bowie Kuhn's named engraved on the bottom.

SCP Auction Link: Silver Season Pass:

Here is a silver commemorative plate presented to Gil Hodges by his teammates on Gil Hodges Honor Night on July 17, 1957 in Brooklyn. It features engraved signatures of the entire team, coached and team officials.

SCP Auction Link: Gil Hodges Commemorative Plate:

Here is the lone non-Dodger related item I've decided to highlight from this auction. Below is a early 1920's cigar box promoted by Honus Wagner. It features a photograph of a younger Wagner wearing a Louisville Colonels uniform from the late 1890's. This is very rare and is one of only a handful known to exist. This cigar box certainly puts a wrinkle into the folklore about Wagner and his refusal to be included in the T206 set due to his disdain for smoking.

SCP Auction Link: Wagner Cigar Box:

eBay: More Dodger Rarities

I could probably spend hours a day searching through eBay. Just about everything you can imagine can be found there. Recently, I ran across some unusual items and have highlighted them below.

What a great vintage item. Below is a 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers Holiday card. It celebrates the Dodgers first World Championship and features a drawing of the championship ring and a photo of the team.

Written inside it provides important dates during the season and finishes on October 4th with the phrase "Thanksgiving Day Comes Early." At the time of this posting it was already up to $56.55 with 8 hours to go. (Update: It closed at an incredible price of $209.12)

EBay Auction Link: 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers Holiday Card:

This collectible glass is a first for me. I've never seen this style before. It dates to probably the late 1950's (Update: 1958 is likely since the last season in stats are from 1957) when the Dodgers were still playing at the Coliseum. Outfield Gino Cimoli is featured and includes his stats on the reverse. It closed on eBay for $51.01.

eBay Auction Link: Vintage Gino Cimoli Glass:

Fernando! Here is the ultimate collectible for Fernando Valenzuela fans. It is an unopened box of Kelloggs Corn Flakes from 1983. It received 7 bids and sold for $20.50. Wow, that's some expensive cereal.

eBay Auction Link: Fernando Cereal Box:

Roy Campanella Night was a celebration that included an exhibition game against the New York Yankees, a candlelight tribute, a commemorative ticket and this limited edition game program. The cover drawing was done by famed sports artist Nicholas Volpe. This is the first time I've seen one of these. Even in rough condition it sold for a healthy $96.99.

eBay Auction Link: Program from Campanella Night 1959:

Kent To Retire

Warholizer Link:

Future Hall of Famer, Jeff Kent, will be announcing his retirement tomorrow.

Kent spent 17 years in the Major Leagues, tying for 20th on baseball’s all-time list with 560 doubles, while ranking 47th with 1,518 RBI and 62nd with 377 home runs. His 351 career home runs as a second baseman are 74 more than Ryne Sandberg. Kent played the final four seasons of his career with the Dodgers, batting .291 with 122 doubles, 75 home runs, and 311 RBI. He ranks eighth in club history in batting average (minimum 1,800 AB), while also placing among franchise leaders with 73 home runs as a second baseman (third) and 497 games played at second base (fifth).

One of the things he will be remembered for is his public screaming match with Barry Bonds. Which, I'm sure, us Dodgers fans found immensely entertaining.

Let me add a memory I have of Jeff Kent during Spring Training from a couple of years ago in Vero Beach. Kent was signing autographs before an afternoon match. As he was signing fans started shouting questions. The usually surly and grumpy Kent was more than happy to answer back. He must have been having a great day. As you can imagine, one of the questions was about Barry Bonds and his general thoughts about him.

Kent was diplomatic. He went on to say that they have a good working relationship, but added that sometimes you have to give a guy a kick in the rear end. After all, he was the only person with the stature and willingness to confront Bonds in that manner. He finished his statement by saying, "I'll let the results speak for themselves. We went to the World Series that year."