Dodger Correspondence: Mal Mallette

Mal Mallette was another one of those athletes who went off to war to do their duty during a time in his life when he could have been seasoning his craft in the minors. Nevertheless, he played professionally for several years, but only pitched in 2 games for the Dodgers in 1950. A veritable cup of coffee.

He got into 2 games, pitching 1.1 innings, facing only 7 batters and recorded 2 strikeouts. Mallette did not give up a run. After his playing days he joined the press and spent 15 years as a reporter and editor, and worked for the American Press Institute for 21 years. Iin 2002, he was elected into the North Carolina Journalism of Fame.

He writes to young Harry the following:

My career spanned seven season after my return from WWII. I retired at age 29 because arm surgery had taken away most of my fastball. After two excellent AAA seasons at Montreal it seemed likely that I would be recalled by the Dodgers. Good Luck.

In those two great season with Montreal he won 23 games and lost 2.

(click to enlarge)

eBay Auction Link: Mal Mallette Letter:

Did You Miss U2?

If you missed the U2's concert last night at the Rose Bowl like I did, then check out their official page for the entire show on YouTube. All 2.5 hours are there for free. Of course, you could also watch it below.

YouTube Link: U2:

Card Of The Week: Cartoon Piazza

This Mike Piazza 1994 Upper Deck Fun Pack card is just goofy. It makes me laugh and smile.

Blog Kiosk: 10/25/2009

Thank goodness for hockey. The Kings young centerman, Anze Kopitar, leads the league in scoring after 11 games. I know it's early, but he has truly come into his own. This rising star and this team is ready to take the next step.

• Tommy does have a dirty mouth.
  
• Jeff Kent, along with Vince Coleman, Steve Finley, Gaylord Perry, Rollie Fingers, among other former players, participated in a vintage charity Base Ball game this past weekend in San Jose. Read all about it here.

  The last play of the game was actually pretty cool. Stogies were down 15-14 and had runners on 1st and 3rd with 2 outs. Dude ripped a ground ball that Jeff Kent stabbed at 2nd - it was the only hard grounder fielded all day. He flipped to SS just in time to get the out and save the game. He jumped for joy and was in no way kidding. He was totally excited to win a fake game of fake baseball.

• Here is a great custom made card by GCRL of a Rick Monday card that should have been made, but never was.
• I bet the cops who pulled over this guy on a motorized couch for a DUI couldn't stop laughing. More at the Star Tribune.
• HNIC

My New Favorite Twitterer

Out of the history books and into the modern word, Charley "Old Hoss" Radbourn has come out from the ashes to grace us with his superior Baseball knowledge. The old-school late 19th Century Baseball hurler has joined twitter and he loves to comment on the state of the game. He has instantly become my favorite twitterer of the moment. Check him out here (@OldHossRadbourn)

Old Hoss was one of those players that played the game like it was the grind. He was tough, surly, arrogant and vain. Charley would drink anyone under the table then beat you to a bloody pulp for not being man enough to take him down. He was difficult to like, but must have been a joy to see on the field.

"Old Hoss" was one of the best of all time on the mound. In 1884 he started 73 games and completed all of them. Yes, ALL OF THEM. He also won 59 games that year and pitched a total 678 2/3 innings. It took him only 11 seasons to win 300 games. His radiant personality, though, came out during games. In fact, he was suspended once for throwing at his own catcher and knocking him down. The catcher had committed the offense of dropping a third strike.

An interesting rumor about him is that it is said that the term "Charley Horse" originates from him and that the earliest known photo of someone showing the finger is of him. Unfortunately, I have yet to ever see this historical photograph. (UPDATE: I take that back, here it is.)

(pic link: geezerballgazette)

Now check out some of his awesome twits below.

• In 1884 I occasionally took days off from hurling. How? By playing right field. Or short stop. Today's players are poncy, preening scum.
• I hear many good things about this P. Hughes fellow. I don't see it. I knew 16-year old grenadiers in Guam with more mettle than that lad.
• This Jepsen lad reminds me of my old 'mate Jerry "Twain" Denny. Both had faces that looked like a crotch.
• The Dodgers are leaving men on base like we left Reb corpses at Antietam.

Check Out Some Triple Threads

Beckett has a recent post featuring some recent pulls submitted by readers from the just release 2009 Topps Triple Threads boxes. It includes the below Trolley Dodgers card featuring 3 Brooklyn heroes and some cut jerseys and bat pieces. Go to their post to see more.Since the above card is the only Dodger one featured I figured I would troll around eBay to see if there are more to be seen. Of course, I was not disappointed. Check out some of them below.

In fact, take a good look at the Blake DeWitt card featuring some cut jerseys fashioned with the words "5 NLCS RBI." In 2008 he started at 2nd base and hammered in 5 RBI's during the series. We could have used some of that this time around. In fact, I'm willing to make the early call that he should be the heir apparent to the 2nd base job in 2010.

(eBay link)

I'm not surprised that card was made. Hollywood with Kemp, Manny and Russell Martin featured.

(eBay link)

How cool is this- Matt Kemp the Bison!

(eBay link)

This reminds us that Manny is a 12 time All Star. Some good that did for us this year. On the other hand, that is a really cool patch on the left side. What is that of?

(eBay link)

Just Manny Being Manny.

(eBay link)