T206 Brooklyn Dodgers: Tim Jordan

Tim Jordan was one of the most feared left-handed bats on the Brooklyn Superbas lineup. He was also one of the most popular Dodgers to ever play the game in Brooklyn. In 1906 and 1908 he lead the National League in home runs with 12 each season. I know that doesn't sound like much, but back then that was quite a feat. Jordan also had a great .263 career Dodger average on numerous Brooklyn teams that were just plain terrible.

Unfortunately, during the 1910 season, at the age of 31, he left the team due to some ailing knees. Then, controversy ensued. During the 1910 season, while dealing with the bad knees, he was released to the Toronto farm club in the Eastern League and on April 12, 1911 he sued Brooklyn for not making a satisfactory settlement with him. Jordan claimed that at the time of his release his knees where still in bad shape due to his play with the Superbas, and that he was due fair compensation as a result. He notified Toronto that he could not report in 1910 due to an upcoming surgery, but did play for them in 1911. A year later a court ruled that the Brooklyn Superbas were not responsible for the remainder of his salary in 1910, arguing that his incapacitation was not due to his play on the team that year. Brooklyn won and Tim Jordan lost.

Jordan would never again play in the Major Leagues even though he continued to hit home runs and bat well in the lower levels. In fact, you can argue that he was purposefully held back by Brooklyn. One news report indicated that he was highly sought after by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1912, but a deal could never be made. Tim Jordan finally retired from the game in 1920.

Hit By Nolan Ryan

Lelands just went live with their most recent auction and it features a whole bunch of great Dodger related items. Stay tuned as I highlight some of my favorites over the next coming days.

For instance, check out this game-used Dodger batting helmet once worn by slugger Pedro Guerrero. It last laid on his head during a Thursday evening game at the Houston Astrodome on September 15, 1983. Fireballer Nolan Ryan was on the mound.

Pedro, who was on his way to a great year, had already faced the future Hall of Famer twice in the game- singling once in the third inning. In the 5th, Guerrero came back up to the plate after a double by Mike Marshall. Behind by three runs by this time, Nolan then got a little wild. Either that or he just got angry because he proceeded to nail Pedro right in the back of head. Ryan had cracked his helmet. Check it out below.

To commemorate this jarring incident Pedro kept the helmet and had Nolan Ryan sign it after the game. Pedro also provides his signature and writes, "Nolan hit me, ouch!" This helmet comes directly from Pedro Guerrero.

(Lelands Auction Link)

Card Of The Week: Kuiper broken bat

Check out this "Card of the Week." Even though a Giant player is featured you gotta love the uniqueness of the photo. It is a 1983 Fleer Duane Kuiper.

The Curse

Maybe I'm overreacting here, but have you noticed how poorly the Dodgers have been playing since the Dodgers resident voodoo man was outed by the LA Times. I'm telling ya, Vladimir Shpunt, has it in for us. He is using his powerful pseudo metaphysical thought ray to squash and annihilate everything that is Blue. The public embarrassment and ridicule was too much to bear.

I can imagine the elderly balding Russian emigre sitting in front of his television, eyes closed, with his hand planted along his forehead. He spreads his fingers out and presses it firmly as skin begins to overlap his fingernails. His body quivers and hair, what little there is left, stands on end like when static electricity is collected on a balloon and rubbed against the back of your head.

I am truly afraid folks. Yes, the fear is starting to take over.

How else do you explain the lashing we received from the fake LA team from down south?

Now we learn that Chad Billingsley is about to land on the DL. Boy, oh boy! Could it get worse from here?

The Dodgers will be in Boston this weekend, no more than a few miles from the psychic wonder. His power will be amplified as proximity becomes less of a barrier. He can quickly tap the cosmic forces to law down a slap that could finish us off for good.

Of course, maybe I'm going crazy and my own sense of insecurity in the divine is really at root here. On the other hand, maybe I'm bored and figured this might be fun to write about.

Anyway, if there is any truth to the mystical magic of Shpunt, then I'll be a monkey's uncle.

A Father's Day Message From the Dodgers

First, the Dodgers are sponsoring their 7th Annual Father's Day catch at Dodger Stadium this Sunday. Here are the details.

The Los Angeles Dodgers invite families on to the field at Dodger Stadium for the seventh annual Father’s Day Catch on June 20. The event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., is free and provides families with the opportunity to play catch at Dodger Stadium in celebration of Father’s Day. Dodger partner Farmer John is donating Dodger dogs for the occasion, Sparkletts will provide water bottles and Coca Cola will supply PowerAde.

Fans can park for free at Dodger Stadium on Father’s Day. The Sunset Gate opens at 10 a.m. and families enter through the center field gates. Music, merchandise, the Dodger Ticket truck and Dodger fan clubs will be on site for the event. The first 3,000 fans in attendance will get a complimentary Dodger dog.

Now, with Father's Day around the corner Andre Ether, Matt Kemp, James Loney and Russell Martin would like to wish all the Father's out there a happy Father's Day.

Andre Ethier

Youtube Link:

Matt Kemp

YouTube Link:

James Loney

YouTube Link:

Russell Martin

YouTube Link:

You Break It You Buy It

You gott see this ESPN commercial featuring Andre Ethier. Hilarious. Go here.