Thursday, March 04, 2010
Ramon is in the House
Per Tommy's Twitpic, former Dodger ace Ramon Martinez is in Arizona showing the kids how it's done.
Legendary Auctions: Vintage Pics
Here are some notable vintage photos Legendary Auctions is currently auctioning off. Click any of the photos to enlarge.
Wow. That is one very large and quickly aging Babe Ruth taking a mighty swing during batting practice while in a Dodger uniform in 1938. He was paid an annual sum of $15,000 to be a coach and hit before games during batting practice to excite the crowd.
Before there was Tommy Lasorda, there was Wilbert Robinson. He was the round and well-loved former manager of the Brooklyn National Baseball Club. Back then (circa 1916) ball teams did not have club names like the Dodgers or Yankees. They were formerly known as the Brooklyn Nationals or New York Americans, but teams were given nicknames- often by the press. When Wilbert Robinson managed the Brooklyn club he was so loved and respected they nicknamed the team the Robins. Thus, for most of his tenure with the club the ball team was known as the Brooklyn Robins. Below is a great photo of this Dodger legend. Heck, in some ways he resembles our own well-loved coach, Tommy Lasorda. Slim Fast probably wouldn't have worked for him either.
Auction Link:
Auction Link:
Ty Cobb is shown below sliding under the tag of Johnny Kling during the 1907 World Series. Nothing really extraordinary about the pic except for the fact that Cobb's slide look especially painful.
This is a very early pic of Shoeless Joe Jackson. Below he is warming up while playing in the minors in Savannah. I love this pic more because of the background than the primary subject matter. Check out the ad signs on the wall and the slipshod nature of the field. Probably a pre-1910 photo, it really shows how rugged the game was in its infancy. This minor league lot looks like it is just a couple of steps above a sandlot.
Wow. That is one very large and quickly aging Babe Ruth taking a mighty swing during batting practice while in a Dodger uniform in 1938. He was paid an annual sum of $15,000 to be a coach and hit before games during batting practice to excite the crowd.
Before there was Tommy Lasorda, there was Wilbert Robinson. He was the round and well-loved former manager of the Brooklyn National Baseball Club. Back then (circa 1916) ball teams did not have club names like the Dodgers or Yankees. They were formerly known as the Brooklyn Nationals or New York Americans, but teams were given nicknames- often by the press. When Wilbert Robinson managed the Brooklyn club he was so loved and respected they nicknamed the team the Robins. Thus, for most of his tenure with the club the ball team was known as the Brooklyn Robins. Below is a great photo of this Dodger legend. Heck, in some ways he resembles our own well-loved coach, Tommy Lasorda. Slim Fast probably wouldn't have worked for him either.
Auction Link:He is a great pic, circa 1936 of a young Satchel Paige when he pitched for the Pittsburgh Crawfords of the Negro Leagues. I suspect this will be one of the more highly sought after items in this auction.
Auction Link:Ty Cobb is shown below sliding under the tag of Johnny Kling during the 1907 World Series. Nothing really extraordinary about the pic except for the fact that Cobb's slide look especially painful.
This is a very early pic of Shoeless Joe Jackson. Below he is warming up while playing in the minors in Savannah. I love this pic more because of the background than the primary subject matter. Check out the ad signs on the wall and the slipshod nature of the field. Probably a pre-1910 photo, it really shows how rugged the game was in its infancy. This minor league lot looks like it is just a couple of steps above a sandlot.
eBay: Big Payday for Erskine
Talk about an instant gratification.
Below is a United Press Photo from 1956 featuring a understandibly ecstatic Cark Erskine and an equally happy Walter O'Malley. Why are they sporting such large grins, you ask?
Well, on May 12, 1956 Erskine threw his 2nd no-hitter in his career versus the hated New York Giants, 3 to 0. As a reward, O'Malley handed Erskine a $500.00 check. Instant bonus money, baby!
As a reminder to how low paid these old-timers were, $500.00 would equal $3,902.81 in todays dollars.
Below is a United Press Photo from 1956 featuring a understandibly ecstatic Cark Erskine and an equally happy Walter O'Malley. Why are they sporting such large grins, you ask?
Well, on May 12, 1956 Erskine threw his 2nd no-hitter in his career versus the hated New York Giants, 3 to 0. As a reward, O'Malley handed Erskine a $500.00 check. Instant bonus money, baby!
As a reminder to how low paid these old-timers were, $500.00 would equal $3,902.81 in todays dollars.
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
The Luckiest Fans in the World
I am so envious. These lucky fans await a prized autograph from Sandy Koufax.
Video: Koufax Visits the Dodgers
I know this is old news, but here is a video from FoxNews featuring Sandy Koufax visiting the Dodgers in Arizona. Chad Billingsley talks about the experience.
Video Link:
Video Link:
MLB settles with Upper Deck
If you are an active reader of other sports collector blogs then this is old news. Today, it was announced that MLB Properties has settled their lawsuit with Upper Deck, and it appears that Upper Deck took a big whack to their business. As has been reported already on other blogs, below is a rundown of some of the known elements of the settlement.
Cards of ball players not in uniform, but in street clothes? I can't imagine that being a big seller.
Frankly, I'm not shedding a tear. Obviously, the lack of competition in the Baseball card hobby is not good news, but cheaters cannot be allowed to prosper. And as many collectors know, Upper Deck has done a lot of cheating over its history.
- Upper Deck will pay MLB Properties $2.4Mil that it is due from past royalties that were not paid
- Additionally, UD will pay MLB a unspecified sum for the cards made in violation of their trademarks. This amount is thought to be substantial.
- UD agrees not to produce anymore Baseball cards/set in violation of MLB's trademarks- MLB logos, uniforms, trade dress, or club color combinations.
- UD will also not airbrush, alter or block MLB trademarks on any future product.
- UD must receive approval from MLB to use baseball jerseys, pants, jackets, caps, helmets or catcher’s equipment in future products featuring players. (I wonder if this means no more game-used uniform cut pieces in card products?)
- According to UD, they have canceled all 2010 Baseball products in the pipeline, but will be allowed to continue selling the products that have already come to market that were found to be in violation- 2009 Signature Stars, 2009 Ultimate Collection and 2010 Upper Deck Series 1.
Cards of ball players not in uniform, but in street clothes? I can't imagine that being a big seller.
Frankly, I'm not shedding a tear. Obviously, the lack of competition in the Baseball card hobby is not good news, but cheaters cannot be allowed to prosper. And as many collectors know, Upper Deck has done a lot of cheating over its history.
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