Blog Kiosk: 11/22/2008

• Chris at DodgerFan.net wonders if Ben Sheets is in our future.
  
• Here is another great vintage Baseball photo at Shorpy Blog. It features 3 Washington National players- Jacinto Calvo, Germany Schaefer and Merito Acosta.
• Sign the online petition started by the Slanch Report to get the MLB Network to show Doc Ellis's LSD induced no-hitter in 1970.
  
• Check out this great photographic video featuring the last game of the 2009 World Series. There are 12,000 photos in total; including a view of ice melting on dogs at Yankee Stadium. It's majestic. From the NY Times.
• This is probably the greatest autographed baseball I've ever seen. Check out Sports Lockers great post here about a 1980 World Series baseball signed by both Pete Rose and Bob Boone, and inscribed with notes about an important defensive play.
  
• Sports Collectors Daily does a nice writeup on the history of the vintage Sporting Life Baseball cards.

Legendary Auctions: Stuff From Chuck Connors

Before you knew him as The Rifleman he was a Brooklyn Dodger first baseman trying to stick with the big club. Heck, before that he was a forward for the Boston Celtics. Chuck Connors was a man who could do anything. He was athletically gifted and had a flare for acting. His hit show, The Rifleman, ran 1958 to 1963.

Legendary Auctions current offering includes various items bearing his name. Below is his 1948 Montreal Royals (the Dodger AAA Minor League club at the time) Governor's Cup Champions ring. It sold for $2,200.00.

Auction Link: Ring:

This is the neatest item of all. Below is a George Sosnak painted ball featuring Chuck Connors. Now you should know why Sosnak artworks are highly prized within the collector community. This ball is stunning. It sold for $4,000.00.

Auction Link: Chuck Conner Sosnak Ball:

eBay: Dodger Stuff

Here are some great Dodger items I found on eBay recently. Below is a UPI Press Photo of Preacher Roe being congratulated by his Dodger teammates after winning the 2nd game of the 1949 World Series against the Yankees.

eBay Auction: Roe Photo:

In my opinion, the best vintage photos you can get come directly from the fans. Below is a fan created photo of Brooklyn Dodger first base coach Jake Pitler. With the palm trees in the background I would be willing to bet that this is a Spring Training photo. He was a coach for the Brooklyn team from 1947 to 1957 (their last year in the borough). Later on he continued his employment with the Dodgers as a scout.

eBay Auction Link: Pitler Photo:

I have never played or even heard of this vintage Baseball card game. It is called Big League Manager and below is the team set for the 1957 Brooklyn Dodgers. I love the cartoon drawing of the old Brooklyn "Bum."

eBay Auction Link: 1957 Brooklyn Big League Manager Game:

Has anyone ever heard of the Pepsi Dodger Fan Club? Below is a patch celebrating this group in 1972.

eBay Auction Link: Patch:

Sports Collectibles Makeover

As a sports collector geek I find this intriguing. Unfortunately, I live on the West Coast and I rent currently so this announcement is lost on me, but I'm sure there are some worthy folks out there who could use some organization and makeover help. I believe this show may coincide with the National Sports Card Collectors Convention being held in Baltimore next year. From an email I just received from The National.

The HGTV Network is looking to power up with some strong "male" dominance by picking a sports super home to do a fabulous TV "Make Over". Do your sports collectibles grow like weeds instead of flowers? Is it one mess from the doorway to doorway? Then you might be the lucky person who becomes a hero to your wife and family, as HGTV comes in and gives you the ultimate home makeover.

Turn your collection into a true sports presentation. HGTV is casting for families in NY, NJ, CT, PA, MD, MA and other Northeast locations.

Email us about your situation at home, what you've got, where you live, etc. and we will turn all emails over to the casting director of HGTV. This is the real deal! Be on TV and get your sports stuff looking GREAT!

Send all emails to: nicole.ford@leopardfilms.com

All e-mails must be received by 12/31/09 to be eligible.

Card of the Week: Who Me?

Above is this weeks "Card of the Week" and it features a surprised Torii Hunter. The card is a 2008 Topps Heritage card that borrows its designed from the vintage 1959 Topps set. In this card, Torii Hunter looks as shocked as anyone as he pulled off a double-whammy of season ending awards. He took home his 9th consecutive Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger Awards this past season.

Blog Kiosk: 11/15/2009

Only 3 1/2 months til Spring Training.

• Lemke shows off his recent creation of a 1969 Steve Garvey rookie card.
• How did I miss this? Night Owl Cards made a great post back in August celebrating Hideo Nomo's birthday. He shows off a bunch of Nomo cards. It's awesome.
  
• Sully writes a great story featuring unlikely pitchers to finish a World Series.
  
• Follow GCRL as he tries to complete a signed 1978 Dodgers Topps team set. He just received a signed Elias Sosa card.
• Here is a video of the Twins new ball field, Target Field.
  
• An amazing turn of events. After a 53 year run, Topps will no longer be making football cards. They recently lost their license with the NFL Players Association.
  
• Check out some of these great photos on Boston.com from Veterans Day.
  
• In honor of Veterans Day, ESPN is running a series of articles featuring prominent athletes who also served in the Armed Forced. Ralph Kiner writes about his own experiences.
  
• Rinku and Dinesh, winners of the $1,000,000.00 Arm in India and subsequent professional contract with the Pirates, returns home for the Winter to rousing applause. Check it out here. (Hat Tip: Baseball Musings)
  
• Pigeon Impossible.

YouTube Link:
Hat Tip: The Big Picture:

• The video below is some funny and entertaining stuff.

YouTube Link:
Hat Tip: Big League Stew: