Dodgers Police: 1981 Set - Part 3

Here is part 3 of the 1981 Dodgers Police LAPD cards. Go here for part 1 & part 2.

Auto Collection: Andre Ethier Bat Barrell Auto

Here is my 2007 Andre Ethier Upper Deck Black Bat Barrel autographed card, #43 out of 50.

O'Connell Writes About Jackie

Sports Collectors Digest writer T. S. O'Connell wrote a great piece earlier today about a great letter written by Jackie Robinson to President Dwight Eisenhower. Check out the original letter below. O'Connell writes:

The lamentable rectitude that our current caste of millionaires exhibits in these turbulent times is in sharp contrast to the social and political activism of some of the greatest names in sports of earlier generations. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jim Brown and Muhammad Ali spring quickly to mind, but even they pale in comparison to somebody like Jackie Robinson.

It seems likely that the combination of Robinson’s fierce will and integrity combined with his almost mystical biography to create a persona no more intimidated by presidents and potentates than he was by opposing catchers when he was on the basepaths.

In today's world we tend to scoff at "celebrities" who get mixed up in politics, but this letter and O'Connell reminds us that it can actually be quite powerful to hear a celebrity voice who can keep light on an important subject. And the subject matter Jackie write about is right on point and an important reminder why civil rights can never wait.

“Seventeen million Negroes cannot do as you suggest and wait for the hearts of men to change. We want to enjoy now the rights that we feel we are entitled to as Americans. This we cannot do unless we pursue aggressively goals which all other Americans achieved over 150 years ago.

As the chief executive of our nation, I respectfully suggest that you unwittingly crush the spirit of freedom in Negroes by constantly urging forbearance and give hope to those pro-segregation leaders like Governor Faubus who would take from us even those freedoms we now enjoy.

Can't Dampen That Dodger Spirit

With the weather being what it has been the past several days I thought this ACME News photo available through Hake's would be appropriate. Here are a group of Brooklyn Dodger fans waiting in the rain to go to the third game of the 1941 World Series. It is titled: "Can't Dampen that Dodger Spirit."

"Holding umbrellas and blankets over their heads, Brooklyn fans- male and female- wait outside the bleachers entrance to Ebbets Field to see their "Bums" in the third game of the World Series. Dark skies and continued rain caused the game to be postponed."

As I'm sure you know, the Dodgers lost this series to the Yankees.

(Photo Link)

Dodgers Police: 1981 Set- Part 2

Here is part 2 of the 1981 Dodgers Police Set. Check out part 1 here.

Dodgers Police: 1981 Set- Part 1

1981 was a great year for the Dodgers. The Lasorda regime was in place with many of the young players he coached in the minors up in LA doing some damage. On top of that, a crushing defeat to the Yankees in the 1977 & 1978 World Series made them hungry for another shot. So hungry, in fact, they came out the victors while facing their old nemesis. As you know, the 1981 team won it's first championship since 1965.

Here is the 1981 Dodgers Police set. Since it was such a magical year and my represents some of my earliest memories as a young Dodger fan I am posting both the front and backs of the entire set for you to enjoy. Besides, this year they put in some very helpful tip for young kids worth sharing. This will be broken up into several different post over the next week, so stay tuned.
Here is the 1981 Dodger coaching staff.
Tommy wasn't always so large. Here he is- only a bit portly.
Here is one instance of a player who was on the 1980 team, but not on the 1981 team. Rudy Law spent most of the year in Albuquerque.