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Friday, December 28, 2012

1944 Dodgers vs. Yankees vs. Giants Tri-Cornered Baseball Game


I learn new stuff about the Dodgers all the time.  For instance, I was cruising around Reddit a few weeks back and came across a thread that I found intriguing.  It referenced a Tri-Cornered Baseball Game that featured the Dodgers, Giants and Yankees.  I wondered to myself, "what the heck is a Tri-Cornered Baseball Game?"

A little bit of research and some post from some helpful redditors provided an answer.

On June 26, 1944, in the midst of WWII, a three-way exhibition Baseball game between the New York area teams was put together to benefit the sale of War Bonds.  Per Keyman Collectibles,
Admission to the game was by purchase of series E, F, and G war bonds. The 40,000 general admission unreserved seats cost one $25 war bond; the 5,809 reserved seats in the lower stands went for a $100 bond; the box seats both upper and lower cost the fan a $1,000 war bond. Bleacher seats were free to servicemen. 
Approximately 50,000 fans attended. The day started off with a skills competition, then Al Schacht, the Clown Prince of Baseball, hit the field to perform his magic.  Milton Berle was also there to entertain the crowd.  In all, $56.5Mil was collected; including $50Mil in bonds purchased by the City of New York, $1Mil contributed by the Bond Clothing Company in exchange for a signed copy of the Baseball program from the day, and $5.5 Mil from attendees.  Per a Daily Times report, it was their hope to collect up to $60Mil in funds.

Featured above is the cover of a program from the event.  As you can see, it features a Willard Mullin drawing of each teams mascot. There are 16 pages and it includes rosters, player descriptions and stats.  Go to Keyman Collectibles story to see a handful of pages from the program.  BTW, this program in rough (VG) condition would run you about $50.00 to $100.00.

Now, on to the actual Baseball game. The rules are as follows:
The Dodgers and Yankees played the first inning while the Giants sat out; the Dodgers and Giants played the second inning while the Yankees sat out; the Yankees and Giants played the third inning while the Dodgers sat out. The same order continued to the game's end. 
So, each team played for six innings, and sat out waiting their turn for three innings. The entire match last about three hours, and at the end of the afternoon the Dodgers won! 

I have yet to find a play-by-play account of the game, but I'll continue to look.  Below is the line score from the game.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 12/28/2012


Just a reminder.  The Dodgers are holding their 2nd annual Dodgers FanFest this coming on Saturday, January 26th, 2013 in the Dodgers parking lot - Lot 6.  Admission is free and numerous different players will be signing free autographs.  Go here for more information.  The pic above was recently tweeted by the @Dodgers/ Jon SooHoo 2012.
  • According to Instagram, Dodger Stadium was the 7th top location photographed by its users.  The Giants home at AT&T Park was 5th.
  • @BerginoBaseball shared a pic of this incredibly awesome 1952 Dodgers Christmas card on twitter.  If you are in New York City I suggest checking out Bergino Baseball Clubhouse.

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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

The 10 Best Dodgers' Baseball Cards of 2012

As the year comes to a close it's only natural to put together a list of the "10 Best" - 10 best moments, 10 best plays, 10 best whatever.  So in keeping with this tradition, I wanted to share with all of you what I believe are the "10 Best Dodgers Cards of 2012."

It was fairly difficult to narrow it down to just 10, but I promise you won't be disappointed.  Let's start it off with #10 on my list. Click on any pic to embiggen.

#10

Topps started out the 2012 collecting season with what I thought was a bang.  Their 2012 Opening Day card set includes this great looking "Superstar Celebrations" card featuring an ecstatic Matt Kemp being surrounded by an equally excited Dodgers team after a walk-off win.  This card gets bonus points for featuring the "Boys in Powder Blue."
#9

I can never get enough of Jackie Robinson on cardboard; especially if the card features him in Minor League Blue.  Below is a promotional card of Jackie as a member of the Montreal Royals (a Dodger farm team at the time) on a 1952 Topps design.  This was given out to attendees at the 2012 National Sports Collectors Convention in Baltimore in August. 

#8

The Cuban sensation who was signed to a 7-year $42Mil deal before ever stepping on a professional ball field comes in at #8.  Leaf Trading Cards created 3 different cards for Puig in 2012, but their 2012 Leaf Memories that pays homage to the classic 1990 Leaf design is a big winner in my book, notwithstanding the lack of team logos.  I show both the signed and unsigned versions of the card below.

#552 Yasiel Puig / #AU-YP1 Yasiel Puig

#7

Excitement barely described how Angelenos felt about the blockbuster trade with the Red Sox at the end of the season.  We finally got a big bat at a position that has sorely missed it.  Below is his first Baseball card in Dodger Blue, and it is a part of the 2012 Topps Update set.  BTW, this is a short printed card, so it will run you from $100 to $200 for it.

US1 Adrian Gonzalez - Dodgers

#6

Duke Snider, oh how we have missed you.  Snider passed away in 2011, so it was nice to see him remembered in various Topps sets throughout the year.  The below 2012 Triple Threads relic/autographed insert card is a favorite of mine.

TTUAR-102 Duke Snider - Dodgers 


#5

Koufax!  Koufax!  Koufax!  You're not a Dodger fan if you don't love Sandy Koufax.  And if you were lucky enough to pull this "1 of 1" Five Star Jumbo relic book of Sandy then count yourself as extremely fortunate.  It comes with 2 Koufax signatures- 2 of them!

#AJRB-SK Sandy Koufax - Los Angeles Dodgers

#4

I admit to loving the Heritage brand of Topps cards, and the below card using the classic 1963 Topps design is just great.  It emulates a card that featured the "Dodgers' Big Three" pitchers of 1963, Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Johnny Podres.  In the newest version it names the Dodgers' Big Three as Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw.

#412 Dodgers' Big Three

#3

After years of working through the Dodgers system, AJ Ellis finally got his shot with the Dodgers and didn't disappoint.  Heck, he quickly became a fan favorite.  So, I'm sure everyone was glad that Topps finally decided to reward him with his very first Baseball card.  It is in the 2012 Topps Update set.  Hilariously, he had to share his very first card with the likes of a violent mob.  Dee Gordon is in the midst of a choke hold while Andre Ethier and Justin Sellers go in for the kill. 

#US304 A.J. Ellis 

Even better is the fact that AJ Ellis commented about the card above on twitter.
(twitter link)

As a consolation, check out his other Topps card from the same set below.  It's an autographed card that he doesn't have to share with anyone.  BTW, this card is very affordable, and I would count it as a must have for any fan.

GMA-AE A.J. Ellis - Dodgers

#2

I know this card will elicit groans from the peanut gallery.  I can hear you now.  "Ned Colletti, really?"  Yes, I declare the 2012 Topps Update autographed insert card of Ned Colletti as the 2nd best Dodger card of 2012.  Deal with it.

Now, after looking at that smile can you really tell me that he is the least sexiest GM in Baseball?  Come on ladies, I want to hear from you.

AGM-NC Ned Colletti - Dodgers GM

#1

The best Dodger card of 2012 was a no brainer.  Panini's 2012 Cooperstown set is phenomenal, and the short-printed Vin Scully autographed card is gorgeous.  With only 100 copies available expect to pay several hundred dollars to add it to your collection.

#76 Vin Scully – Announcer /100

For those with limited funds - which likely includes all of us - the below "Voices of Summer" insert card from the same set should do just fine.  What a dapper looking young man.

#9 Vin Scully

Honorable Mention

I couldn't finish this list without making note of this very rare card.  It is a 2012 Topps 14 Karat Solid Gold "Golden Greats" card of Jackie Robinson.  It was pulled earlier this year by large case breaker BrentandBecca in a pack of 2012 Topps Series 1 Baseball.  They got a redemption card, turned it in, and received the card already graded in a BVG holder.  It's certainly a great card, but hardly "The Best" in my mind.  Although, you gotta love gold.


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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *