eBay: Dodger POG's

Does anyone remember these things?

The great POG hysteria of the 90's was something I could not believe.  If you don't know, POG, which stands for a brand of juice with passionfruit, orange, and guava, was a game played with little disk originally found in bottle caps.  It's origins date back to the 1920's to 1930's in Hawaii.  Beyond that, I do not know how it is played, and, frankly, I have no desire to learn.  What I do know is that folks of all ages started collecting POG's as if it was the new Baseball card craze.  I didn't get it.

The only reason I mention this is that I ran across some Dodger POG's on eBay and thought it was worth a look.  Below are two different sheets of Dodger POG's- both, supposedly, were to be made available as give-aways during the season.  I have no way of confirming this, so if you happen to know please pass along that knowledge.


Below is billed as a 1994 POG sheet that features some very famous Dodger names.  According to the seller these were to be handed out at a game that year, but this is the first time I have ever seen these.  I suspect, unless told otherwise, that this is a fantasy items made by an enterprising collector.

eBay Auction Link:

Here is another sheet from 1995 that celebrates past Dodger winners of the Rookie of the Year award.  I am unsure of its origins, but it sure does look nice in a frame.  Again, if anyone knows anything more about this and the above item please send me a email.

eBay Auction Link:

Repko On the Move

According to Dylan Hernandez, via Twitter, Jason Repko has landed in the Twins organization.  I've always liked his hustle.  I wouldn't be surprised if he finds a role with the big club one of these days.

Keep the Dodgers in Brooklyn

With the recent nostalgic display by Neil Diamond at Fenway Park on Sunday I thought it might be a interesting to put up some memorabilia items related to the "Keep the Dodgers in Brooklyn" campaign.  Check them out below.

The above pin is probably one of the rarer and most sought after collectible item from this era.  It measures 1-1/2" in diameter and features a union mark on the reverse.  Very few real vintage pins like these exist.  In fact, original examples regularly sell for over $500.00 in auctions. Numerous reproductions exist.

Below is a vintage music sheet from 1957 of a song called "Let's Keep the Dodgers in Brooklyn" by Phil Foster. 

Here is the actual recording for your enjoyment.

Video Link:

Neil Diamond: Brooklyn?

(pic link: Bleacher Report)

I've noticed that many Dodger fans have taken note of Neil Diamond's jacket from Sunday's MLB game opener featuring the Red Sox and Yankees.  If you haven't seen it, check out the photo from above.

Neil Diamond made a surprise appearance at Fenway to sing "Sweet Caroline" to the Boston faithful.  Emblazoned on the back of his suit jacket were the immortal words, "Keep the Dodgers in Brooklyn."  As many Dodger history buffs know, this was the slogan heard all over the old borough in the late 50's. As you probably know, most of the faithful could not bear the thought of "Dem Bums" leaving town; including a young Neil Diamond.

As the story goes, Neil Diamond was born and raised as an old-time Brooklyn Dodger fan.  In fact, he was so much of a fan that when the Dodgers left town he went into quite a funk- call it a Blue depression.  His folks decided, in their ultimate wisdom, that they needed to find some way to cheer him up.  So, they got him enrolled into guitar lessons.  Soon, Neil became focused and obsessed with song writing and singing.  As you know, the rest is history.  

In many way, he owes his career to the Dodgers leaving town.  In fact, he readily acknowledges that. Read a little bit more about here right here.

UPDATE:  Here is a video.

Video Link:

Baseball and Politics

One of the more enduring aspects of Baseball in America is its' ties to politics.  As always, the Commander and Chief will be throwing out the first pitch in Washington this afternoon.  This is a long held tradition that dates back exactly 100 years.  In 1910 President William Taft became the first President to throw out a ceremonial first pitch. 

In honor of this fine tradition, check out TPM's photo archive of some Presidents and Baseball; including the below pic of a youthful Dwight D. Eisenhower.  He is second on the right on the top row.

Blog Kiosk: 4/4/2010

Opening Day, Baby!!!

• Dodger Dugout chats with Peter Gammons, and tells us all about it. Which gives me a chance to post this great Peter Gammons theme song again. YouTube Link:
  

• Zach Hample writes about Ebbets Field and the best places to catch a ball. It includes some great photos of the old Dodger home.
  
• Dodger Blue Blog visited the Arizona Museum of Youth and has some great pictures to see.
  
• LA Dodger Talk interviews Dodger scouting guru Logan White.
  
• Mint Condition: How Baseball Cards Became a American Obsession.
  
• Check out this new Dodger Blog called Dodger Bobble. That's right! A Dodger Blog focused on one fans obsession with the bobblehead.
  
• Cooperstown Chatter remembers the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
  
• RIP Mike Cuellar. George Diaz writes a great column about this former Baseball stars life, career and his battle with stomach cancer.  He passed away this pass Friday.