Rare Dodger Memorabilia at REA - Jackie's Ring, a 1955 WS Ring and a Really Old Dodger Uniform

Here is my third post featuring Dodger memorabilia available at REA's current auction.  The other day I featured original Topps artwork of Duke Snider and yesterday I shared a couple of oddball items.  Below are some Dodger rarities.

(Auction Link)

I don't quite know what to think about this first item.  The description states that it is a 1946 Montreal Royals International League Championship Ring and that it is attributed to Jackie Robinson.  On the other hand, it also says that they can't guarantee that it was actually issued by the Montreal Royals.  It does say, though, that the ring was a part of the famed Barry Halper Collection and that the chain of provenance leads directly to the Robinson family.

Regardless of the uncertainty surrounding the ring I still find it very cool.  It may represent a relic from Jackie's first year as a MLB pro.

(Auction Link)

This next ring is most certainly real.  Below is a 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Series Ring that had been issued to Dodger PR Director Red Patterson.   Per the auction description:

(Auction Link)

1955, of course, was the only season in which the familiar refrain of "Wait till Next Year," was never heard on the streets of Brooklyn following the World Series. In 1955 "next year' finally came, and the fact that the club's only World Championship while in Brooklyn came at the expense of their hated crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees, must have made the victory all the sweeter for the Flatbush faithful. Ironically, "Red" Patterson had close ties to both clubs. Patterson was the New York Yankees first public-relations director and the Brooklyn Dodgers last public-relations director. During his tenure with both clubs he was recognized as one of the game's most innovative marketing specialists and is credited with introducing many novel concepts which are now considered standard for all clubs, including Old Timers' Day games, team yearbooks, and concession stands. Patterson also invented the term "tape-measure home run" when he decided to measure the distance of Mantle's prodigious home run at Washington's Griffith Stadium on April 17, 1953, arriving at the figure of 565 feet. Unfortunately, it was Patterson, in his capacity as public-relations director, who had to make the official announcement in 1957 that the Dodgers were leaving Brooklyn, thereby breaking the collective heart of all of the Flatbush faithful.

(Auction Link)

Check out these old duds.  Here is a 1934 Brooklyn Dodgers Road Uniform; complete with a jersey attributed to utility infielder Jake Flowers, pants once belonging to Hall of Fame catcher Al Lopez and a pair of amazing vintage stirrup socks.  According to the auction it belonged to a former Dodger bullpen catcher who was given hand-me-downs to wear.

(Auction Link)

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Blog Kiosk: 10/9/2014 - Dodger Links - Should Ned Stay or Should He Go?

Above is a great vintage photo from the very last Dodger game at Ebbets Field in 1957, via @Dodgers_History on twitter.  You should give them a follow for more great photographs.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Ned Colletti reportedly on hot seat after early Dodgers demise."

With an early exit in the playoffs come the obvious questions for the Dodgers, namely who - if anyone - will take the fall for losing one round earlier than in 2013? With offseason meetings beginning this week, the answer seems to lean more toward general manager Ned Colletti than manager Don Mattingly.

In my own view, the makeup of the bullpen and Don's mistrust in it is the real culprit of this postseason loss, and that's purely the domain of Ned Colletti.  He built it, he paid for it and his over-reliance on ineffective veterans ultimately became our downfall.  If anyone goes to the chopping block it is likely to be him. 

• MLB reporter Ken Rosenthal was on Beast980 KFWB to talk about Colletti, as well.  Check that out here.

I know the Elbert move, in Game 3, was controversial and it should have been. He put a guy in a situation that he hadn’t been in before, but why did that happen? It happened becasue his options were so limited. Why did Kershaw not come out when he gave up a baserunner in the 7th [in Game 4]? Because there was no one that Mattingly could trust in the bullpen.

• Via Sports Illustrated, "Report: Dodger Stadium could be next home for NFL team in LA."
• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider writes about Jose Lime - LIMA TIME!  Today is the 10th anniversary of his 2004 NLDS shutout of the Cardinals. 
• Stay tuned!  Jon also tells us that the episode of 'Lab Rats' on DisneyXD guest staring Andre Ethier will air this coming Monday at 6:15 PM.  He also mentions that Don Newcombe's stepson is the co-creator and executive producer of the show.
• Dan Haren on twitter:

I miss you Baseball. I also hate you Baseball.
— dan haren (@ithrow88) October 8, 2014

• Via Joe Frisaro at MLB.com, "Lasorda receives Bob Feller Act of Valor Award."

The award, established in 2013, is being bestowed on three men who possess the values, integrity and dedication to serving the United States in a manner Feller displayed. Lasorda joins Indians first baseman Nick Swisher and Senior Chief Petty Officer Carl Thompson of the U.S. Navy.

• What a bunch of A-Holes!  Via David Brown at Big League Stew, the Yogi Berra Museum has been burglarized.  Hopefully a detailed list of stolen items will be made available soon, so that the greater collecting community can keep an eye out. 

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A Couple of Oddball Dodger Items For Sale at REA - Jackie and Pee Wee

Following up on yesterday's post featuring Topps original art for a 1959 Duke Snider card, I now share a couple of great vintage Dodger oddball items that struck my fancy.

Below are a couple of large-sized premium photos distributed only for the Montreal, Canada marketplace during the 1940's called Parade Sportive (Sports Parade in English).  They were made in conjunction with a local radio show called Parade Sportive.  The two photos below feature future Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson during his first season as a member of the Dodgers franchise.  As you know, Jackie spent his first season as a Dodger playing for the Montreal Royals.  These two photos are from 1946.

(Auction Link)

Here is something really fun.  Below is a circa 1956 marble-shooting game endorsed by Dodger great Pee Wee Reese.  Of note, Reese received his nickname 'Pee Wee' as a youngster because he was a champion marble shooter.  From what I understand, a 'Pee Wee' is a small marble.  Per a SABR biography by Rob Edelman:

The youngster earned his nickname not for his diminutive size—he was five feet nine inches and weighed 140 pounds when he signed his first professional contract at the age of twenty, and added one inch and twenty pounds when fully grown. Instead, he was called Pee Wee because of his predilection for playing marbles. As a pre-teenager, he was runner-up in a Louisville Courier-Journal pee-wee marbles competition.

Awesome!

(Auction Link)

(Auction Link)

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Garvey, Cey and Chuck Finley Signings!

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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The 62nd Annual California RV Show will be at the Fairplex in Pomona over the next couple of weeks and several players will be there to sign autographs this weekend and next.  Go here for information.

• Steve Garvey  - Friday, October 10, 2014 - Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Ron Cey  - Saturday, October 11, 2014  - Time: 11:00 PM - 1:00 PM
• Chuck Finley  - Saturday, October 11, 2014 - Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM  

L.A. Fairplex - Gate 9
2200 N. White Ave
Pomona, CA 91768

Hat Tip: Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy

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Steve Garvey's newest edition of 'Garvey and Friends" at San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino will be on Tuesday, October 14th, starting at 7:00 PM.  His featured guest will be Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson.  Tickets at $40.00; including dinner.  Go here for more information.

San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino

San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casin

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Blog Kiosk: 10/8/2014 - Dodger Links - Thanks for a Great Season

Things started out well for the Dodgers.  They had MVP candidate Clayton Kershaw on the mound and the Dodger Jobu all gussied up and pretty in the clubhouse.  Unfortunately, the Baseball gods struck us down with its mighty hammer and gave us the blues.  The pic above is via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Go here to see more photos of his from yesterday.

I won't bother recounting any details of the Dodgers loss, or provide explanations as to why it happened.  I just think that's all a big waste of time right now.  Instead, I'd like to take this brief moment to say thanks to the team for a wonderful season of Dodger Baseball.  Most of all, I'd like to say thanks to all of you for visiting my little blog.  It's been a fun year and and I promise next year will be even better.

As you might have guessed, posting is likely to decrease over the coming days and weeks (maybe), but I won't be disappearing.  Baseball collecting never ends and I suspect this winter will be filled with plenty of Dodger news.

BTW, the LA Kings hockey season officially starts tonight, so we've (assuming your a fan) got that to immediately look forward to.  Go Kings Go!

Check out some links below:

• Read Don Mattingly's postgame interview with the press after Game 4, here.

I mean, Holliday hits the ball barely out of reach of Dee, Peralta hits the ball and it hits off Hanley's glove, and then had a curveball there. So at the end of the day, I think it's not really a situation that you try to change too much or manipulate too much.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Right-hander Beckett announces plans to retire."

"I just don't see me going through that rehab and coming back to pitch at this point in my life," he said.

• Yasiel Puig was playing through an ankle issue, Via Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times.  His benching for Game 4 suddenly make a lot of sense. He had difficulty getting around on the fastball due to his ankle.
• Via Chris Olds at Beckett, Panini America recently announced they will be released a card set called Panini Classics.  Check out some preview pics here.  To the right is an autographed Clayton Kershaw card.
• Here's the first bit of Dodger winter news.  Per Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish on twitter, Brian Wilson has already told the Dodgers that he will exercise his $9Mil option for 2015.  No kidding, eh?

Sources: Brian Wilson has informed #Dodgers that he will exercise his player option for 2015.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) October 8, 2014

• I'm not sure if this is indicative of anything, but it is concerning, via a tweet from Eric Stephen:

In last week, Dodgers have lost 3 from player development: De Jon Watson (AZ), Roy Clark (Atl), Rafael Chaves (pitching coordinator, Phi)
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) October 7, 2014

• Via the LA Kings, "Discovery Cube LA Partners with LA Kings to Celebrate the Science of Hockey in a Permanent New Exhibit."

“The Science of Hockey” will debut in early 2015 at the new Discovery Cube Los Angeles (DCLA) as one of the most technically advanced sports-themed exhibits in the world. Announced for the first time today by representatives from the Discovery Science Foundation (DSF) and the Kings Care Foundation, the permanent destination attraction will combine hands-on hockey learning focused on the skills of the sport with unique participatory experiences that explain the scientific realities of the game.

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Good Game and Good Luck, Cards

For those who may not recall, during the conclusion of the 2004 NLDS, where the Cardinals defeated the Dodgers, a strange sight occurred - at least it's strange at MLB games.  On the other hand, for most youngsters in organized sports (and NHL hockey fans) it's something that is commonplace.  Heck, it's expected.

The Dodgers came out to congratulate the Cardinals for their series victory with a handshake line.

Unfortunately, this act has not become tradition in Baseball... And for that, I am sorry.  It is something that should happen after every series.  So, in its place I give my virtual handshake to the Cardinals and their fans.

"Good Game and Good Luck"

This was a fun series, and even though it didn't go in my teams favor I still enjoyed every second of it - even as my hair falls out.

I wish you all the luck in the world and look forward facing you again next season.

With that, I think the below shirt best expresses how I am really feeling.

P.S.  As a Kings fan, now I know what it feels like to be a St. Louis Blues fan.  doh!

Pic at the very top via Chris Carlson/AP (photo found at Think Blue LA):
Pic of TShirt via shirtaday.com:

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