Daily Conlon: 64 through 72

Here are the Daily Conlon cards numbered 64 through 72.

Brooklyn born Joe Judge, located at the center, spent a majority of his career with the Washington Senators, save a short stint with Brooklyn and Boston at the end of his career. He is regarded as one of the games greatest defensive 1st basemen. At one time he held the American League record for putouts, total chances and double plays before they were broken by Lou Gehrig. Joe Judge played in only 42 games with his hometown team in 1933, batting a lowly .214 during his only stint in the National League. He quickly left for the Red Sox, and the American League, mid-season and started to hit again at a .296 clip for them. By the next season he was out of the league and began his career as a coach. From 1936 to 1958 he coached the Baseball team for Georgetown University.

As always, click any pic to embiggen.

Auto Collection: Andy LaRoche

Here is a 2006 Bowman Originals autographed card of Andy LaRoche. I really hoped Andy would work out as our 3rd baseman of the future. He had the right pedigree, having a brother already in the Majors, and exhibited the kind of power and defensive prowess that might make us forget Adrian Beltre. Unfortunately, it was not to be.

Lelands: The Sal LaRocca Collection, Part 2

Continuing on my post from yesterday, here is part 2 of Lelands auction featuring items from the Sal LaRocca Collection. This auction ends tonight.

I just love this jacket. It is from the 1950's and is from Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida. This jacket was designed for Dodgertown employees.

(Auction Link)

Here is a group of 1948 Montreal Royals pins. As you know, the Royals were a minor league affiliate for the Dodgers, and a final stop for players before heading to Brooklyn. These pins are very rarely seen. This lot includes Don Newcombe and former Rifleman actor Chuck Connors.

(Auction Link)

I never decline to have a chance to feature original drawings from Willard Mullin. Here are a couple of his drawings featuring the lovable Brooklyn Bum.

The first piece, featuring the Bum and Dodgers manager Walter Alston comes with the original page from the March 17, 1954 issue of The Sporting News in which it appeared. "Startin' ya own auter-biography, huh!" says the Bum. "O.K... Leave me read it ovah ya shouldah... But don't put in no big woids... and don't go writin' no LETTERS to nobody neither!"

The second piece shows the Brooklyn Bum with his arm around blanket-wrapped Indian captioned "Braves 0 and 11 with the Dodgers." The Bum is saying "Pals, huh, Patchy ol' buddy. I'd like t'take yez home an' keep yez all season... jus' f'r me-self!"

(Auction Link)

Kings Make Blockbuster Trade!

Without going into much analysis, which I don't generally like to do anyway, I want to announce and welcome to Los Angeles center Mike Richards. The Kings traded one of the leagues top prospects, a grinding right winger and a draft pick for a top line center who was the captain of the Flyers and well regarded as a tough minded leader who can score, hit and play his heart out to get the job done. He plays both ends of the ice and immediately catapults the Kings into one of the top echelon clubs in the Western Conference. This is a huge trade that has put our rivals on notice. The Kings are here to win.

It's good to be a Kings fan today.

Here is a great video of the best of Mike Richards.

(Video Link)

And here is what Philadelphia likes to call "The Shift."

(Video Link)
(Pic Link: WikiCommons: Bridget Samuels)

GM Dean Lombardi talks about the trade.

(Video Link)

UPDATE:

Word now is that the Kings have traded Ryan Smyth. This provides the Kings with tons of cap space. Enough space for a big free agent pick-up (crossing my fingers- Brad Richardson?). Heck, maybe those other rumors about a 3-way trade possibly bringing Zach Parise to LA for Bernier and whatever we get for Smyth might be in the cards. Who knows? Details to be announced on Saturday.

Lelands: A Willard Mullin Drawing

This is not a part of the Sal LaRocca collection I featured earlier today. Here is a beautiful drawing done by Willard Mullin. Unfortunately, it is not dated, but I think it's safe to say it's from the early 50's. It features Dodgers and Giants managers Chuck Dressen and Leo Durocher shaking some team dolls. Written on the bottom are the words: "These kids are pretty good now... but that Casey is still the mix-master." Casey refers to Yankees manager Casey Stengel.

(Auction Link)

Lelands: The Sal LaRocca Collection, Part 1

Lelands has once again put together a phenomenal offering that includes more items from the Sal LaRocca Dodger collection. There are a total of 74 items available from Sal, so go here if you want to seem them. The auction ends tomorrow evening.

Below is a sampling of some of the things that really stuck out to me.

It's amazing to have one autographed team Baseball, let alone a complete run from 1958 to 2005, but here it is. This auction item is for autographed team balls covering 47 straight years.

(Auction Item)

This is a circa 1950 equipment bag that was once used by Duke Snider.

(Auction Item)

This is a circa 1939-40 full Dodger uniform once worn by Leo Durocher.

(Auction Item)

This is a huge team photo of the 1952 Brooklyn Dodgers that was once hung up at Ebbets Field.

(Auction Item)