Old Judge: Ruth and the 1915 Brooklyn Dodgers

Old Judge always has some of the more unique Baseball related collectibles around. I absolutely suggest checking out their auction for a look at a little bit of Baseball history.

One item that immediately caught my eye is the below real photo postcard featuring a very young Boston pitcher named Babe Ruth. He sits second on the right on the bench with Harry Hooper, Olaf Henrickson and Everett Scott.

Auction Link: Ruth Boston Postcard:

Here is a elongated postcard featuring 6 Brooklyn Dodger pitchers taken during Spring Training in 1915. This one-of-a-kind item includes Wheezer Dell, Leon Cadore, Ed Appleton, Goodrell, Chubeks and Sherry Smith. Of special note, this photo was featured in the April 1988 issue of one of the hobby's great old newsletters- The Old Judge.

Auction Link: 1915 Postcard of 6 Brooklyn Pitchers:

Penny Is No Longer a Dodger

Diamond Leung let's us know that starter Brad Penny will no longer be wearing blue.

The Dodgers declined the $9.25 million option on Brad Penny's contract in 2009, choosing to give him a $2 million buyout instead.

With the exception of this past season, Penny was a great pitcher for us. He won 16 games and was selected to the All-Star team in 2006 and 2007. He was also third in the Cy Young voting in 2007.

Best of all, Brad Penny provided great fodder to us all due to his past relationship with vixen super-blogger Alyssa Milano.

Thank You! This Dodger fan will always be thankful for your service.

Dodgers Make an Offer

I've been far to preoccupied with the national elections lately so my posting here has been very sparse. Fortunately, with its conclusion everything should go back to normal- until at least the next crazy think comes around that ends up stealing my attention.

As many of you know the Baseball Winter Meetings are ongoing in Southern California and a little bit of news important to Dodger fans has popped up.

Colletti has made an offer to Scott Boras for Manny's services.

The Dodgers have made their initial offer to free-agent left fielder Manny Ramirez, Ned Colletti, their general manager, said on Wednesday afternoon as the second day of this year's annual General Managers Meetings came to a close.

The offer -- believed to be in the neighborhood of two years at $55 million -- was extended to Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, on Tuesday night as the two sides met for the only time during the meetings, which end on Thursday.

"I'm not going to get specific about it, but it's an offer that would be the highest [average per season] in the history of the franchise and it would be the second highest [average] in baseball," Colletti said. "If you saw the bid, there's nothing we'd be embarrassed about."

That sounds about right. When you offer a large contract like that the last thing you want is to be tied up for too many years.

What This Election Felt Like

YouTube Link: Network I'm Made As Hell:

VOTE!

If you haven't done it already please go out and vote on Tuesday.

I wrote the below post a couple of years ago and it is just as true today as it was then.

"Put on your shoes, son... Hey, where is your jacket?"

I lift up my arm and point to my red hooded sweater with a series of color stripes across the breast. It was an 80’s version of a 70’s flashback. No doubt it was fashion at it worst. The sweater was crammed between the seat cushions of our family couch in the TV room.

"Go and put that on. It’s chilly out there and we are going on a short walk.”

I quickly put on the sweater- first the left arm then the right. I had my “Toughskins" blue jeans on. They still looked brand new. No matter how rough I played in them they would never fade. Sears had made kid proof pants.

I tied my sneakers and rolled up my socks to cover my calves. I was ready to go and experience the world.

My elementary school mind was still in its most formative stages. I smiled a lot. I laughed all the time. I had wonder in my eyes.

These were the days when it was still o.k. to hold Daddy’s hand. Heck, these were the days you could still call your Dad- Daddy.

We walk down the block and turned the corner. My hand was clinched tightly to my fathers' palm. We walk a few more steps and head down a back alley. A couple of houses down I notice an open garage door. People are milling about. To one side is a single line and in the back are cardboard boxes standing straight up with little curtains.

I looked around from left to right. I remember not understanding what this was all about. Why did my father purposely want me with him? Where are we?

My father leans down and says to me, “it’s election day."

My love and reverence for voting was created on that day. I remember the look of the garage, the faces of the people, the smell of the cardboard and the sound of the hand crank puncher used to complete the paper ballots. I remember the look of pride on my fathers face and his frank (adult) discussion with me about how important this day is.

This morning I continued a tradition that was passed down from my father. It is a tradition passed down from generation to generation, from American to American. It is a duty that the founding fathers envisioned as the peoples true equalizer. It is our voice.

So, this morning I drove down to the Costa Mesa Historical Society building and gave my name. I was handed a code pass and voted on one of those new-fangled machines. It was easy and efficient. My worries about the potential for lost votes was eased by the paper receipt produced by the computer.

This morning I voted. I voted for my community. I voted for my state. I voted for my country. But, most of all, I voted for my Father.

Happy Halloween!!

YouTube Link: Zoltarkill:
Hat Tip: SI: