Hunt's: Dodger Vintage Game Used Bats

Imagine that it's 1953 and you and your older brother are at Ebbets Field to watch your favorite team, the Brooklyn Dodgers. After the game you make your way towards the dugout and are given two game bats- one from Jackie Robinson and the other from Roy Campanella. How jacked up would you be?

Well, below are those two bats. They stayed in the personal collection of those kids and are offered for the first time at Hunt's 2010 All-Star Game FanFest Auction.

Jackie Robinson

(Hunt's Auction Link)

Roy Campanella

(Hunt's Auction Link)

The Mighty Casey

(pic link: DodgerTownUSA Hitpix: Jon SooHoo)

Casey did not strike out. Instead, he blasted a two run homer in the eigth inning to propel the Dodgers to a 4 to 2 win over the hated Giants. On top of that, Chad Billingsley had a solid effort on the mound after a couple week stint on the DL.

This win was a nice thing to see after a homestand that had everyone in DodgerNation shaking their head.

BTW, leave Broxton alone. There is no need to panic. Broxton has been great all year long and I see no reason to jump the gun. Besides, he's our best option out of the bullpen, and I think it's doubtful the team will find anyone who is better.

Hunt's All Star Game Auction: The Honus Wagner

As the story goes, American Tobacco Company was about to put out their now famous 1909-1911 T206 set in packages of cigarettes. In order to do this they needed to get permission from each individual player since a players union did not exist at the time. One player who had evaded their inquiries was Hall of Famer Honus Wagner. As you can imagine, it was hard to fathom releasing a set like this without one of the league greatest stars, so they procured the help of a local newspaper man to approach his old friend.

Legend has it that Honus Wagner still refused to allow his portrait on a card to be released in packages of cigarettes. He even offered to compensate his newspaper friend with the amount promised to him by the tobacco company. Wagner sent a check of $10.00 to his friend, but it was promptly returned out of respect to the ballplayer. From there a legend was born as the card was removed from the printing presses (although a few did go out) and would soon become the most valuable Baseball card in the hobby.

Below is proof strip card featuring the rare Honus Wagner T206 card (second on the left) that is currently at auction at Hunt's 2010 LiveAuction at the All-Star Game Fanfest in Anaheim. It resided for many years within the collection of fabled hobbyist Barry Halper and is said to have come directly from the estate of Honus Wagner. It is believed it was presented to Honus by American Tobacco to convince him to sign on with them. Considering its condition and giant crease across Wagner's face, I think it's safe to say that he didn't hold it in great regard. My recollection is that it was found folded and stuffed in one of Wagner's suit pockets. It is expected to sell for over 6 figures.

(Hunt's Auction Link)

Blog Kiosk: 6/27/2010

It's still too early to be worried about the Dodgers.

• Bob Lemke makes his own fantasy 1955 Bowman Sandy Koufax card.
• The Duke signs in the mail and a commenter shares a great personal story about Snider at 30-yr Old Cardboard.
  
• The "Don't Stop Believing" guy gets the last laugh, It's Time for Dodger Baseblog.
  
• New Mexico fan shares some awesome Isotopes created large size cards. How can I get me some of these?
• I am continually amazed at not only the cards, but the biographies Gary Joseph Cieradkoski writes about each player. Check out his recent Victor Starffin creation- who I count as one of the more fascinating players from Japanese Baseball.
• Trader Crack's opens up a couple of packs of Toy Story 3 cards with his kids on Father's Day.
  
• Gellman at SCU has a run down on other high priced Strasburg cards.
  
• Cardboard Junkie shares some 2010 World Cup Panini Stickers.
  
• A left field pavilion usher does a dance.
  

YouTube Link:

T206 Brooklyn Dodgers: Nap Rucker

One day after he had dropped out of school, Nap Rucker was working a job as apprentice printer in his home state of Georgia. While setting up some type he came across a headline that said, "$10,000 for pitching a Baseball." From there his mind was made up. He decided he would be a pitcher, and, by 1904, he was on his way as he began his professional life with the Atlanta Crackers of the Southern Association. The next year he played for the Augusta Tourist of the South Atlantic League- winning 40 games over two season. While in Augusta he roomed with Ty Cobb for a bit.

In 1906 he was drafted by Brooklyn and would pitch his first game for the borough in 1907. He instantly becoming their best hurler. Over his career he won 134 games, 38 by shutout, while recording a 2.42 ERA. Rucker's best year was in 1911 when he won 22 games. On September 5, 1908 he threw a no-hitter against the Boston Doves during the second game of a doubleheader. Nap Rucker would go on to spend his entire 10 year career with the Brooklyn Superbas, from 1907 to 1916.

Unfortunately, he would lose his fastball by 1913 and would hurt his arm in 1914. Rucker would have to get by on off speed stuff and a new pitch called the knuckleball. It is thought that he learned the knuckle from Eddie Cicotte, a teammate in Augusta and considered by many to be the pitches inventor. He retired after the 1916 season and went on to scout for the dodgers for over 15 years. Afterwords, Rucker became mayor of his hometown of Roswell, Georgia in 1935.

A Nation Reacts to Donovan's Goal

I just had to put this up. It's awesome. I don't care what you think about soccer, futbol or whatever; if this doesn't send some chills up your spine then you are a lost cause.

YouTube Link: