Lelands Auction: November 2007

Lelands, once again, has a great collection of Baseball photos on auction. I thought I would take the space to share some of my favorites.

Below is a photo of the infamous, yet spectacular White Sox outfielder, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. It was taken after the 1919 World Series and shows a man who doesn't seem able to smile. "Say it ain't so Joe."

Auction Link: Joe Jackson by Keystone View (1920):

Eddie Gaedel will forever live as Bill Veeck's greatest stunt. The 3'8" man, shown below, is the shortest person to every play in the majors.

Auction Link: Eddie Gadel Bats Vintage Photograph (1951):

In the 50's the Dodgers went on many world tours in hopes of spreading the glory of Baseball. Below is a 1956 photo during the teams Tour of Japan series. Jim Gilliam is the only recognizable face. Photo comes from the archives of Roger Craig.

Auction Link: 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers Tour of Japan Photo from Roger Craig Collection:

We've all seen photos of the great Sandy Koufax throwing a Baseball, but have you ever seen him playing football. Below he cradles a ball like it's a newborn baby.

Auction Link: Sandy Koufax Plays Football (1966):

Lelands Auction Link:

LaRoche and Young Hit Homers Over The Weekend

After a surprising loss to Italy on Friday, Team USA decided to get back on track by beating Japan and routing Spain over the weekend. On top of that, there was plenty of Dodger news in these games.

On Saturday, in the 5 to 1 victory over Japan, Delwyn Young was the big hero as he drove in three runs in the first inning on a homerun to centerfield. He also made a highlight catch in the outfield.

Duensing (the Team USA pitcher) was helped by a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch from Young, who crashed face-first into the wall and managed to hold onto the ball and double up Kenji Yokoyama at first, saving at least one run.

Andy LaRoche earned 2 walks and scored twice. Our star closer, Takashi Saito, came in to provide some relief for Japan as Team USA pelted the Japanese starting pitcher. He faced just 2 batters, getting them both out to end the second inning.

On Sunday, Team USA unloaded on Spain, 12 to 1. Andy LaRoche did much of the damage as he belted 2 homeruns; his first to start the game and his second to cap the teams scoring for the day. He finished up with two homeruns and 4 RBI's. Delwyn Young walked twice and scored once.

In the tournament so far, Andy LaRoche leads the team with three homers and nine RBI's. Also,

of the nine runs Team USA has yielded in the first five games seven have been unearned.

Again, watch the games right here.

Box Score: USA 5, Japan 1:
Box Score: USA 12, Spain 2:
Pic Link: ReviewJournal.com, Craig Moran:

The Russell Love Fest Continues

Russell Martin wins another award. This time it is the Silver Slugger Award.

Story Link: LA Dodgers:
Pic Link: Answers.com:

ESPN Video: Torre, Torre, Torre & Bowa

Below are a group of ESPN videos featuring Joe Torre. Enjoy.


Video Link: Torre Can Talk A Good Game Too:


ESPN Video: How Will Torre Impact The Dodgers?:


ESPN Video: Joe Torre Enthusiastic to Manage Dodgers:


ESPN Video: Bowa Joins Torre in Los Angeles:

Hunt Auctions: Video

Here is a ESPN Video featuring several items from the upcoming Louisville Slugger Auction. Check out the game used Lou Gehrig Jersey.


Video Link: ESPN Video:
Hat Tip: Sports Collectors Daily:

The Italians Can Play- Upset Team USA

Wow. Of all the teams we could lose to the Italians were not on top of that list. This morning Team USA lost to undefeated Italy, 6 to 2.

USA started Josh Outman didn't start off as he'd planned, walking the first two batters that stepped to the plate for Italy but a quick 5-4-3 double play and a strikeout quickly erased the threat and pushed Team USA's scoreless inning streak to 19. It would end there. In the second inning after two quick outs back-to-back singles gave Italy runners at the corners. Outman got Italy's ninth place hitter Leonardo Zileri on a grounder to short but Brian Bixler booted the ball giving Italy a 1-0 lead; two singles later and the Italy lead stretched to 3-0.

Team USA bounced right back in the top of the third when left-fielder Justin Ruggiano led off the inning with his first homerun of the tournament, a 3-1 blast into the left field seats. Two batters later, Brian Bixler laid a perfect bunt down the third base line for an infield hit but was picked off first with Colby Rasmus batting. Rasmus then doubled to left and after Jayson Nix was hit by a pitch Adam LaRoche doubled to left-center scoring Rasmus and cutting the Italy lead to 3-2.

Italy struck for three more runs in the bottom of the 4th. Lefty Jerry Blevins relieved Outman and after SS Brian Bixler second error of the game on a tough chopper up the middle Blevins handcuffed first basemen Andy LaRoche on a pickoff attempt for Team USA's third error of the game. Steven Shell then relieved Blevins and after a groundout plated a runner Shell gave up back to back hits to Maximiliano Di Blaise and Mario Chirini and Italy extended their lead to 6-2 on five unearned runs. Shell pitched shutout ball through the eighth but the damage had already been done. Six Italy relievers pitch six shutout innings while striking out six as the U.S. managed just two hits the rest of the way as Italy beat the heavily favored Team USA 6-2.

Of special note: Former Dodger manager and current Team USA manager, Davey Johnson, was placed on the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee ballot.

Again, watch all future games live or taped at this website.

Also, The Road to Beijing Blog provides excellent coverage of this tournament. They add that former Dodger farmhand

(Justin) Ruggiano has come to play. Not sure if you could fill a stat sheet any more than he did today: 2-2 with a HR, RBI, SB, R and 2 BB.

Story Link: USA Baseball Game Notes: