Blog Kiosk: 2/21/2010

Go USA! Team USA just beat Team Canada in Olympic Hockey!

• Baseball-Reference to be bringing in Negro League Stats, via Big League Stew. This is long overdue.
  
• Why did the 1914 Boston Braves wear swastikas on their hats? Go to the Baseball Researcher to find out.
• Sports Collectors Daily takes a look at the creator of one of the first Baseball cards- Peck & Snyder.
  
• Worlds Largest Dodgeball Game.

Video Link:
Hat Tip: Huffington Post:

Welcome Back, Eric!

Per Dylan Hernandez's twitter, Eric Gagne is back.

He won't be quite "Game Over," but I will admit to having a soft spot for the guy. Those years when he blew out the competition was magical. Welcome home Eric!!!

In celebration I'm gonna go home tonight, pull out some of my favorite Gagne cards, scan them and post them tomorrow, yhea!
Hat Tip: Memories of Kevin Malone:

UPDATE:

I'm sure you all remember this classic shirt. I think I'm going to have to search my closet and wear it under my work clothes tomorrow.

A Great Dodger Quilt

One of the great American folk art crafts is the creation of quilts. Often made by women and children, they were emblems of a family's past, a communities history or an interest that was loved by the maker. Other times, they would consist of ornate artistic patterns worthy of display in any museum. Quilts would be passed down through the generations and they are always one-of-a-kind. I have seen many quilts on shows like the Antique Roadshow that were dated to as far back as the revolution. Over the years they have become very collectible.

Thanks to The Sport Collectors Daily we find out about a collection of quilts made by an avid Baseball fan named Clara Schmitt Rothmeier that will be auctioned later this month. Go to the auction information page for more information.

Clara was an accomplished baseball player as well as a quiltmaker. Her father played minor league ball in the Pittsburgh organization, and her five brothers and four sisters had all played on traveling baseball and softball teams from Springfield, Illinois. While on the road, she started sewing to keep busy. Her "My Favorite Baseball Stars" quilt took more than 10 years to complete, has 340 actual autographs, and was exhibited in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York in 1959-1960.

Last year on June 16, 2009 she passed away at the age of 78. You can know check out her work and possibly take one home in their upcoming estate auction on February 20, 2010. Below is her 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers quilt she made after they beat the Yankees in the World Series. There are 32 hand drawn portraits. It measures 79" x 90" and was once on tour with the "Grand Slam: A Century of Baseball Quilts" traveling museum. You may have seen this in 1998 when it came through Southern California.
A Close up.
Below is a great photo from the 1960's of Clara in front of some of her quilts.

Download SABR's Emerald Guide Now for Free

Society for American Baseball Research, better known as SABR, has just released their 2010 Emerald Guide to Baseball, and its free for download. Go here.

Hunt Auctions: More Dodger Goodies

Hunt's Auction always find a way to please the Dodger collector. Below are a few items that can be found in their most current auction.

Here is a advertising placard featuring Brooklyn Dodger catcher Roy Campanella holding a bottle of Coca Cola. It sure beats the tobacco adds commonly found during this time period. It is a large 12" x 15" and is very beat up. Nevertheless, I think this would look great framed.

Auction Link:

Again, another photo of Babe Ruth in a Dodger uniform. The photo on the right shows the Babe wiping his face during a balmy afternoon game.

Auction Link:

Yes, they did it again. In 1956 they repeated as NL Champions. Hopefully, we can put on pins like this come September.

Auction Link:

This item has me the most intrigued. Below is a very scarce Bruce Edwards Day pin from September 21, 1947 and a modern issue print from that day. What I have not been able to figure out is why he was he given his own special day. He was only in his 2nd Major League season with the Dodgers by this time. Anyone know?

Auction Link:

Blog Kiosk: 2/14/2010

I did some very light reading this past week.

• This is a must read blog if you are interested in the Olympics in Vancouver. I love the idea of a 8 years old perspective of the games and the city.
  
• The Hall of Very Good interviews Baseball artist Dick Perez. (Hat Tip: Sports Locker)
  
• Naked Baseball at the Library of Congress.
  
• The Globetrotters on ice!

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