Auto Collection: Steve Garvey "Legend of Summer"

Here is another example of how crazy I can get when it comes to chasing autographed Dodger cards. Here are two 2003 Donruss Signature Series "Legends of Summer" inserts cards of Steve Garvey. At first glance you might say that they are the exact same card, but there is one glaring difference. Take a closer look.

By now, I'm sure you see the variation. One card is sign in black ink while the other is signed with a blue sharpie. It's a unique variation that only a slightly obsessive compulsive personality could enjoy.

eBay: A Vintage Dodger Baseball

Here is a great vintage baseball produced for the Brooklyn Dodgers. The auction description states it came from some stuff belonging to a former equipment manager. I can't verify that, but I will say that it's very likely from Ebbets Field. Even more likely, it was probably an item sold at concession stands at or around the stadium.

It dates from 1938 to 1942 due to the stamped autograph of the teams former General Manager, Larry MacPhail. As you may know, MacPhail was probably one of the most important Baseball executives of the era. His innovations helped change the game and brought it in line with the modern world at the time. Here is a list of some of his accomplishments, via SABR's Biography Project:

1. First night game in the major leagues
2. First televised game (August 26, 1939)
3. First to introduce "Old Timers' Games" to the majors
4. First to establish pension funds for club employees throughout all levels of baseball
5. Headed first committee for players' pension funds, the finest in sports
6. First to use air plane travel for baseball teams
7. First to shake up New York City by broadcasting all home and road games. (The first radio broadcast of a baseball game in the majors was by Harold Arlen in Pittsburgh in 1921.)
8. First to introduce yellow baseballs, which were never accepted in baseball but came to the fore in both tennis and golf
9. First to regularly schedule doubleheaders
10. First to install a stadium club
11. First to introduce a season ticket plan
12. First to develop and introduce protective batting helmets (see McKelvey, The MacPhails)

Check out his biography from SABR's biography project for more about him.

As a testament to the rarity of this Baseball, it sold for a healthy $338.00.

(eBay Auction Link)

Auto Collection: Johnny Podres Leather & Lumber

Johnny Podres was the savior of the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers. After many years of trying and failing to defeat the behemoths that were the Yankees, all that was needed was the exploits of this 22 year old kid. He won 2 important games, including game 7, and forever stamped his legacy into Baseball lore.

Here is a great ensemble of autographed inserts cards featuring Podres from 2005. It is Donruss's Leather & Lumber cut autographs.

Hello There

After nearly a full day without the ability to post, I think everything is back... Hopefully!

Unfortunately, I think I lost a post. Never mind, though, check out the below pic to remind those of you who were thinking of seeing Barajas today.

Last Chance for Cheap Seats!

Just in case you don't already know, the Dodgers are offering cheap $30.00 field level seats for this coming Mondays game against the Brewers, but there is one catch. You have to purchase them now! Offer ends at 10:00 PM tonight. Below is the Dodger press release.

The Dodgers announced today that in celebration of right fielder Andre Ethier’s 30-game hitting streak, the club will offer fans $30 Field level seats during a 30-hour sale that starts today (5/10/2011) at 4 p.m. PST and concludes tomorrow (5/11/2011) at 10 p.m. PST. The $30 Field level seats for the game versus Milwaukee on May 16 at 7:10 p.m., in honor of number 16, are discounted up to 75 percent.

Ethier became the second player in franchise history to have a 30-game hitting streak joining Willie Davis, whose 31-game hitting streak is a franchise record. Ethier batted .397 (46-for-116) during the streak, which began back on April 2. His 26-game hitting streak established a Major League record for the longest hitting streak during the month of April, having passed Joe Torre’s 22-game streak from April 1971.

Fans that partake in the 30-hour sale can choose from options, based on availability, that include in between the bases and behind home plate. The offer is available at dodgers.com/tickets using the promo code STREAK and at the Dodger Stadium box office during normal business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

(Pic Link: WikiCommons Cbl62)

Blog Kiosk: 5/11/2011

I have to be honest. The McCourt saga and the recent revelation that a BK and/or business structure that might give Frank ownership of Dodger Stadium in the event of a sale of the team has me depressed for the Dodgers and increasingly disinterested in the season. Clearly, this is a very difficult time to be a Dodger fan. Of course, we are only 3.5 games out, and considering the mess that's not too shabby. Maybe the year isn't a loss. Can the Dodgers win in spite of McCourt?

• For your pleasure, check out the National Jukebox at the Library of Congress- It features a massive audio archive including Sony's entire pre-1925 catalog. Just awesome! I didn't find anything Dodger specific (I will continue to look), but I did come across this 1913 recording of a song called "The Baseball Rag." (Hat Tip: TPM)

• Here's a great story from Boston.com about a teenage kid who did something remarkable for some Negro League players. (Hat Tip: SCD)

  Perron, a shaggy-haired 16-year-old with a shortstop’s lanky build, is one of the country’s most prolific researchers into the leagues that gave black ballplayers a professional option when they were banned from the bigs. From his bedroom in Arlington, Perron has created baseball cards for players who never had any, discovered evidence to help former players earn pensions, and reconnected teammates who hadn’t spoken in decades.

• Upper Deck is coming out with a 2001 Marvel Beginnings card set that includes some unusual insert cards called "Ultimate Panel Focus." These cards feature actual cut-out panels from vintage classic comics (very poor condition versions). It's obviously a pretty cool concept and a natural consequence of what's been going on in the card hobby, but I wonder what comic collectors think? Vintage sports memorabilia collectors often cringe at the idea of cutting up a Babe Ruth jersey, do comic collectors feel the same way about a Spiderman #1 being cut up? See Upper Deck's story here, which includes a defense and some pics to gaze at.
• Who says Dodger Stadium is the only place violence happens. One man had his Willie Mays bobblehead stolen at knife point in San Francisco, via Huffington Post.
  
• Here's a great story about a Betty Page collector, via Collectors Weekly.
• Meltdown. (Hat Tip: LGF)

MELTDOWN from Dave Green on Vimeo.