No. 9

On this unique day, 9/9/09, check out some cards from some Dodgers who wore the number 9.

Arky Vaughan, nicknamed after his home state of Arkansas, was a Dodger player for the last 4 seasons of his career. He was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1985, retired with a career .318 batting average and was a nine time All-Star. Bil James, a noted sabermetrician, believes him to be the second best short stop to ever play the game. He is also known for a major rift with Dodger manager Leo Durocher.

Vaughan was involved in a dispute with Dodgers manager Leo Durocher during the 1943 season, and while he did finish out the season, he remained on his ranch in California for the start of the 1944 season, supporting the war by farming and avoiding Durocher. Vaughan remained at home for the next three seasons, coming back in 1947 when Durocher was gone and serving as a pinch hitter and backup outfielder for two seasons.

That's quite a grudge. Below is his 1960 Fleer card.
Gino Cimoli began his big league career with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956. By 1957 he became a regular outfielder and fit right in with Snider and Furillo. In that season he batted .293, hit 10 home runs, knocked in 57 and scored 88. Also, he made his only appearance in an All-Star game that year. Before the 1959 season he was traded away for Wally Moon.

I love Gino's 1958 Topps card below. Notice that he is in a post swing stance, but his bat has been airbrushed away. Speaking of Wally Moon. He gets traded to the Dodgers for Gino Cimoli and takes over his number. We all know about Moons exploits since he became famous for his towering left field home runs, 250 feet away, over the wire mesh at the Coliseum. "Moon Shots" is what they called them. Once the Dodgers moved to Chavez Ravine his "Moon Shots" became lazy fly balls.

Below is his 1961 Bell Brand card.
Greg Brock manned first base for the Dodgers in the 80's and is notable for a squabble he once had with Steve Sax. From Dodger Blues:

The Dodgers were at Shea to face the Mets, and players were warming up on the field before the game. As Steve Sax was playing catch with Mike Scioscia, Greg Brock stuck his bat in the way. Sax then threw a ball that struck Brock in the back. The two players apparently started yelling at each other as the moved into the dugout. Before any punches were thrown, however, other Dodgers intervened.

The best part are the quotes, especially from Enos Cabell.

"These boys don't even know how to fight."

He was subsequently traded before the next season to the Brewers. Below is his 1986 Topps card.
I love Mickey Hatcher and it pains me to see him wearing a Angels uniform. Nevertheless, I can still close my eyes and see him running full steam to first after getting a walk. And I can never forget when he sprinted around the bases after his two home runs during the 1988 World Series. To quote Joe Garagiola,

"he's running like he's afraid they're going to take it off the board!"

Below is the always fun loving Hatcher in his 1991 Upper Deck card.
Juan Pierre is the current holder of the number 9. He is no doubt worthy since he has proven that he has the work ethic of a Mickey Hatcher and the numbers that rival Vaughan. (I know... he's an outfielder and Vaughan was a shortstop... but, still) He can hit. He can steal. And he can play. His stint as the left field regular in Manny's absence has gained the respect of every Dodger fan. Below is his Turkey Red Chrome card, but I do not know what year it was released.

Legendary Drawings

Legendary Auctions recently closed up on their August offering that had three original Willard Mullin drawings of the lovable Brooklyn Dodger "Bum." As you may know, Mullin was the inventor of the beloved icon. Check out his drawings below. Also, click the photo to enlarge.

The Brooklyn Bum is boastful about what his beloved Dodger will do to the Yanks in the World Series in the drawing below. It sold for $562.88.

(click pic to enlarge)
Auction Link: Mulling "Bum" Drawing:

"The Other Half." The 1952 Dodger season started off with a bang. They began the season 47-18. That's a full 29 games above .500. Their early dominance was aided by their complete control of the Pirates, Reds and Boston Braves. In fact, they started the season going 26-0 against those three teams. The Willard Mullin drawing below makes light of that fact by calling the three teams the "League Patsies." The drawing refers to the Dodgers record of 24-0, just before their three game homestand against Cincy. They won the first two, and lost the last game 7 to 4. This drawing sold for $474.00.

(click pic to enlarge)
Auction Link: Mulling "Bum" Drawing:

In 1950 the Dodgers were edged out of the pennant by the Phillies by 2 games. The Brooklyn Bum is full of despair as he refers to Philadelphia's Whiz Kids as Phillies Brats. It sold for $414.75.

(click pic to enlarge)
Auction Link: Mulling "Bum" Drawing:

Card of the Week: Beach Ball Love

There is no reason to wince and sigh whenever a cheap plastic beach ball finds itself bouncing along a sea of fans. I know it's distracting, and you want nothing more than to grab it and squash it with all your might. Yet... they are mesmerizing like that dot in a cheap commercial that bounces atop the words of a cheesy ad song to help you along with the lyrics. You can't help but bounce your head in unison as if humming along to a favorite tune.

Which leads me to this.

See... not all ballplayers hate the beach ball. Jack McDowell, in his 1992 Upper Deck card above, shows his love for the plastic toy as he hugs it like a child with a new stuffed Teddy Bear. Of course, I could be wrong. Jack has a menacing look in his eye. It's almost a crazy stare- one I would expect from a Charlie Manson type. Something tells me this photo may have been taken just before he laid that ball to rest.

Blog Kiosk: 9/6/2009

• Check out this new Dodger blog called the Left Field Pavilion. They also feature Dodger Baseball cards and memorabilia.
  
• I wish I had known about this earlier. That way you could have bid on one of these balls before it closed up this past Monday. Little League Baseball and Softball, along with Subway, had a auction featuring painted balls designed by Little League players and then signed by celebrities. See the website with some details and all of the balls here. Included was our very own Alyssa Milano. Her ball is below. Orel Hershiser and Juan Pierre also participated. (Hat Tip: Beckett)
• Check out this great custom card from The Custom Card Blog of newest Dodger Ronnie Belliard. It uses the design from the 1979 Topps Baseball set.
• Trolley Dodger puts up a perfect Brooklyn Dodger pic. Check it out here.
  
• Former King defenseman Rob Blake answers some questions for a collector.
  
• They have started painting the ice surface at Staples. Hockey is just around the corner.
• Are you a Kings fan? Did you miss the recently concluded HockeyFest 2009 in downtown LA? Well, go to Mayor 119 Blog for a great write up of the speaker series.
  
• Here are the stories behind the nicknames of 16 famous athletes from Mental Floss. (Hat Tip: Twitter: VOTC)
  
• McFly

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Hat Tip: Oliver Willis:

The Shirts Off Their Backs

Sometimes, when you have a long weekend looming and your mind is blank like a newly painted wall of a plain office building, you just can't find something interesting to write. Today is one of those days. So, imagine my joy when I got a Dodger press release announcing a special silent auction being held this weekend during Sunday's game against the Padres at Dodger Stadium.

It is being called the "Shirts Off Their Back" silent auction and will feature game-worn jersey's from Dodger players and coaches. Even the Dodger wives get involved. They have prepared some gift baskets that will also be auctioned off. All proceeds go to benefit the Dodger Dream Foundation.

The auction will be held during the game (probably ending in the later innings) on the Club Level outside of the Vin Scully Press Box. Three potential Hall of Famers will be represented in Joe Torre, Manny Ramirez and the newest Dodger, Jim Thome.

I won't be in attendance, but, if you are there, please pass along what some of the jersey's sold for.

UPDATE: I just noticed that the PR announcement mentioned it would be taking place from 3:10 to 6:45 PM. So, if you plan on bidding do it right away

Photo- Casey at the Ravine

Here is a photo of Mets Manager Casey Stengel at Dodger Stadium. A big thanks to Bob Wong for the photo.