Ranked #1 and #2

We are getting noticed.

Yahoo has their new Power Rankings up and they have the Dodgers vaulting from #6 to #1.

And then one day it is time to let go.

You stick it out for as long as you can, if only because of the good times. And, damn, for the kids.

But, the eyes go dull, and the laughter goes away and, you know, let’s be honest, you’ve had your eye on that hot little number from L.A. anyway.

This immediately caused me to check ESPN for their Rankings, and would you believe it they have us at #2. Heck, they even acknowledge that regardless of our stellar hitting of late it has been our pitching that has really impressed.

The Dodgers scored 50 runs to go 6-0 at home and have a team BA of .302, but pitching has been their biggest asset (.200 BAA).

Of course, that was before the two loses to the Astros. (The ranking is from April 20th) Nevertheless, it's nice to get the attention.

A Jackie MVP Award

Here is a real Jackie Robinson MVP Award- except it's not the original. Grey Flannel Auctions has up for sale an exact duplicate of Jackie's 1949 MVP Award.

This 1949 Jackie Robinson National League MVP trophy plaque was found hanging in the lobby of Dieges & Clust, the renowned specialist gold and silversmiths who have been producing prestigious trophies, medals, jewelry and awards for the Olympic Games, the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Heisman Trophy, the National Football League, Major League Baseball, etc., since 1898.

With 5 days left it is at $5,500.00. They also have duplicate of Roger Maris's 1961 MVP Award and Roger Clemens 2000 Yankees World Series trophy that he gave to his personal trainer, Brian McNamee.

Too Many eBay Finds

eBay is once again is filled with some treasures.

I had to start off this post with this 5x7 photo of Nate Oliver. Not because of its rarity (It's not, I don't think), but because of those glasses. Wow. If anyone knows were this pic comes from please let me know. I suspect it came from a picture pack sold at the stadium souvenir stands.

eBay Auction Link: Nate Oliver Pic:

Below is probably a fan-made period photo on cardboard memorabilia item of Zach Wheat celebrating his 3rd place finish for the batting title (he batted .359) during the 1925 season. It measures 6"x8" and is currently priced at $10.99.

eBay Auction Link: Zach Wheat Photo:

For much of the 50's (and possibly the 60's, as well) fans were mailed facsimile autograph sheets of the entire team upon request. They were fairly popular and can be found today at very affordable prices. This one is bidless at a very affordable opening price of $1.99.

eBay Auction Link: 1956 Autograph Sheet:

This silver plated bowl came originally from the estate of Sal Maglie. It commemorates his no-hitter on September 25, 1956 against the Phillies. It has an opening price of $899.00.

eBay Auction Link: Sal Maglie 1956 No Hitter Silver Bowl:

This is something you don't see everyday, and considering its bid prices right now I think the market agrees. Below is a 1938 Brooklyn Dodgers game ticket from game #3 celebrating a oddity called "Night Baseball." As of this writing it is already up to $330.00.

eBay Auction Link: 1938 Brooklyn Dodgers Night Game Ticket:

It's amazing what people collect. Here is a 1954 college yearbook from the University of Cincinnati that has a famous alum named Sandy Koufax. (I shouldn't be talking, I have a couple of college yearbooks featuring Jackie Robinson) The seller is asking $100.00.

eBay Auction Link: 1954 U. of Cincinnati Yearbook with Koufax:

This, by far, the rarest item featured in this post. Below are several advertising posters, measuring approximately 36" x 24", of the 1958 Bell Brand Chips Baseball card set. The seller is asking a very healthy $13,000.00 for the group.

eBay Auction Link: 1958 Bell Brand Advertising Posters:

Mike Always Had Class

I came across this on eBay just now and wanted to post it up. No matter the rumors about his alleged chemical past I still love the guy and will always appreciate the what he did for the Dodgers and its fans. Here is a pic of a newspaper ad he placed in the LA Times on May 20, 1998.

eBay: Hodges and the News

Since I've neglected to post much the past week or so I thought I would start with a couple of eBay finds I came across.

The Topps Company has been routinely selling many of their archived treasures from Baseball card past on eBay through ToppsVault. They have sold everything from original paintings to one-of-a-kind printers press cards. This time they are selling some original published negatives from their 1962 Bazooka card set. Below is the negative for Dodger Gil Hodges that sold for $81.00.

eBay Link: 1962 Topps Bazooka Gil Hodger Original Negative:

Here is an original October 9, 1959 LA Examiner newspaper celebrating the Dodgers World Championship victory. It sold for $76.01.
eBay Link: 1959 WS LA Examiner:

Another Great Find

It amazes me that stuff like this is still sitting around buried in junk waiting to be found.

The poster was discovered by a family combing through an estate sale near Albany, NY in March. Two other dealers had been through the estate but had either missed the poster or failed to recognize its value. This family recognized that a 19th century baseball item might have auction value, discovering it atop a dresser, and atop some books, rolled up.

It is a 1889 advertising poster featuring the Goodwin Round Album.

This poster is unrestored and in very good condition. It features such future Hall of Fame players as Cap Anson, Mike “King” Kelly, Charles Comiskey, Mickey Welch, Tim Keefe, Roger Connor, John Ward and “Orator Jim” O’Rourke and Charles Comiskey. The poster states “Presented Upon Return of 75 of our Certificates to the Smokers.”

It is estimated to be worth $100,000.00. Not only that, it is a one of a kind treasure. Only 2 other similar posters have been found, but they are of a different format.

“It looked old, and it seemed out of place among all the items being sold that day,” said a spokesperson for the purchaser, whose name is not being identified.

“We always gets excited about finds like this,” said Josh Evans, founder and chairman of Lelands. “There are still great finds out there waiting to be discovered. The American antiques and collectibles field is still a great treasure hunt.”

It's like wining the lottery.

Hat Tip: VBCF: