Vintage Pics: Sportsman's Park

For a little change of pace, Richard sent along some photos of an old ballpark from out of state called Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, Missouri. It was originally home to the St. Louis Browns from 1902 to 1953 and the St. Louis Cardinals from 1920 to 1966. The St. Louis Cardinal's NFL team also played here for five years in the 60's.

The two photos below are from May 1951 and feature the Cardinals versus an unidentified team. In the top photo it looks like the Cardinals are on the field and the opposing team just scored a run. The pitcher is behind the catcher to backup a throw from the outfield as a runner had just crossed the plate to score. He is soon to be congratulated by the next batter up. The hometown crowd seems rather sullen as they hope for the end of the inning.

Something that has always amazed me about spectators during this time period is how they dressed. They all wore suits and hats to games.
The best part about the photo below is the advertising in the outfield. Do you need some ice cubes? No problem give City Ice Cubes a call. They'll come by every morning to drop off their wares. How about razors? I've got a gem of a razor here for ya. That add on top is great. It is undoubtedly a beer add. After all, what else makes life brighter?

RIP Bo Diddley

Bo knows guitars. He was also one of the most influential musicians in rock 'n roll.

"I don't like to copy anybody," Diddley explained. "Everybody tries to do what I do, update it. I don't have any idols I copied after. They copied everything I did, upgraded it, messed it up. It seems to me that nobody can come up with their own thing, they have to put a little bit of Bo Diddley there."

He died today at 79 years old.


YouTube Link: Fredvs:

Walter Johnson and Babe Ruth in Orange County

Be sure to check out the LA Times story today about a barnstorming event during a late October afternoon in 1924 that saw local favorite and Hall of Famer Walter Johnson face off against Babe Ruth and his bat and pitching arm.

Ruth didn't hit a home run for any kid in the hospital that day but he did, according to accounts, conk a boy on the head with a ball.

Brea resident W.E. Griffith, who attended the game, years later recounted to The Times that Ruth "hit a foul ball that bounced off a car and hit a boy in the head. He started bawlin' and Ruth walked over to him, handed him a silver dollar and said: 'Don't cry kid -- here.' "

Blog Kiosk 6/1/2008

Please let there be light at the end of this tunnel. The Dodgers are not this bad.

• I sometime get emails.

  I thought I would pass this along to you; it is a site that has some rather interesting Brooklyn Dodger broadcasts. Vintage Sportscasts at OTR.Network (Old Time Radio). My favorite is the June 4, 1957 Cubs/Dodgers game called by Vin and Jerry Doggett.- Stan from Washington

• Upper Deck can't keep out of politics as they put out a second series of Presidential Predictor cards and purposely create a scarcity. They call it for Obama as a second version of the above card was hand pulled from the assembly line featuring Obama lifting Hillary.

  “We had the version of Obama lifting Clinton pulled as it became clear Barack would be the victor,” said Jason Masherah, Baseball Brand manager for Upper Deck in a statement. “Pulling these cards is a process done by hand so it is very possible some of these cards may make their way into packs. Those cards are considered an error version.”

  (Hat Tip: Beckett) UPDATE: The rare card above (Obama lifting up Clinton) is only now (6/2/08) showing up on eBay. Here are links to 2 of the auctions I could find. 1: 2:
  
• Gammons thinks Derek Lowe is a potential trade candidate. (Hat Tip: Fire Ned Colletti Now)
• Clayton Kershaw signs an exclusive collectibles agreement with Steiner Sports.
• The Israeli Baseball League is looking like a bust.
  
• Mario puts together a Top 10 list of all-time greatest Garbage Pail Kids cards. This is how I felt after last nights gut-wrenching loss.
• Stale Gum sounds off against the recent trend towards gimmick short print cards.
  
• Who knew that numbering a Baseball card set could be so naughty.

  It's probably the most thinking Geideman ever did compiling a checklist, save for the 1992 Upper Deck set when he assigned numbers that ended in 69 to players with porn-star-sounding names. (Dick Schofield at No. 269, Heathcliff Slocumb at No. 569, and Dickie Thon at No. 769.)

  I think the 1992 Upper Deck Baseball card set has become my favorite set of all-time. The Slate story also unveils the story behind the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. (Hat Tip: Gem Mint Ten)
• Tatiana captures Juan Pierre dancing.
• MLB are a bunch of fools.

  The baseball uniforms for the Tinley Park Bulldogs look a little different this year. Gone are the names of Major League Baseball teams that accompanied "Bulldogs" on the front of the kids' jerseys.
  
  No White Sox.
  
  No Cubs.
  
  No Phillies, Yankees or Reds.
  
  Why? MLB hurled a fastball at the heads of those who make the uniforms for the little ballplayers: Drop the big-league names or face a lawsuit.

  This is beyond stupid. Don't you think that having kids wear uniforms with MLB teams on them might be a great way to build brand loyalty? The first little league team I was on was the Brewers and for some odd reason they became my 2nd favorite team as a kid. Not only that, when I found out that Robin Yount was a local player he instantly became one of my favorite all-time players. It all started with being a young Brewer in little league. (Hat Tip: Oliver Willis)
• The infamous 2007 Topps Fidel Castro Auto card turned Anti-Castro card is for sale on eBay.

Vintage Pics From Dodger Stadiums Grand Opening

We now have some brand news photos from Richard featuring the Grand Opening of Dodger Stadium from April 10, 1962. It looks like it was a typical beautiful Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles as we see the Dodgers taking batting practice below. The Reds players are warming up in foul territory. The stadium is brand-spanking new with the seats showing off their freshly painted colors. Get a look at the lady on the left with the hat. It looks like she put a giant straw flower pot upside down on her head.
Below is a great shot of the color guard in the outfield during the National Anthem. The stadium is slowly filling up as the Southland tradition of arriving late has its roots to the very first game. Richard mentioned that traffic that day was horrendous as the parking lot was much smaller than it is today. In the background the hills are freshly carved and cars are packed in like sardines. The building with a Spanish tile roof in the distance is believed to be a old schoolhouse, a reminder of the community that once resided in Chavez Ravine.
It is minutes before the start of the game. Both teams have been introduced as they stand to gaze at the still growing crowd.
Play Ball! Johnny Podres is on the mound. The photograph below captures the very first pitch. The field above is in pretty poor shape as the grass appears to be still filling in. That winter was very wet and caused delays in the stadiums construction. They were almost forced to postpone the grand opening.
The nearly 2 hour and 47 minute match is over as the first Dodger game in their new home has ended. Unfortunately, they lost to the Reds 6 to 3. Cincinnati left fielder Wally Post hit the first homerun at the stadium which also happened to be a 3 run game winner that put the Reds up front for good in the 7th inning.

Card of the Week: Turk Wendell

In celebration of Baseballs contribution to superstition and eccentricities I bring you this weeks "Card of the Week" in the form of Turk Wendell's rookie card from the 1992 Upper Deck Baseball set. I remember way-back-when opening up packs of these cards and pulling this gem with some curiosity. What is this guy doing? Did he forget to brush his teeth that morning and decide to catch up by taking some time during the game to remedy his hygiene faux pas? Maybe the stadiums plumbing is out of whack and this is the only sink available? Nope. It's something that only Baseball can foster with incredible regularity. This is an act of superstition. Turk would often brush his teeth between innings in games he pitched and Upper Deck photographers were able to capture the craziness to my delight.
If you think that's weird get a hold of his other habits. He would chew black licorice instead of tobacco. The umpire would have to roll the ball to him otherwise he would let a thrown ball land on the field or bounce off his chest. At the beginning of each inning he would go to the mound and wave at the centerfielder and wait for him to wave back before proceeding. When the catcher stood, Wendell would crouch. He would draw crosses on the mound and high jump the baseline. His necklace was made of animal teeth from creatures he hunted and killed. My favorite thing, though, is that he wore number 99 in honor Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn from Major League and once negotiated a contract for $9,999,999.99.