Friday, February 07, 2014

Some Dodgers Vintage Memorabilia at Heritage Auctions

Along with a great letter written by Jackie Robinson and some historically significant Civil War Base Ball relics, there are a handful of incredible Dodgers memorabilia pieces available for sale through Heritage Auctions.  Check some of them out below.

This is a probably as real as it get.  Featured here is a game-used catchers mitt that was once worn by Hall of Famer Roy Campanella.  It originally comes from the personal collection of former Dodger Carl Furillo.
(auction link)

Below is a Sandy Koufax game-used glove, circa 1958.  This glove also comes from the Furillo estate.
(auction link)

Here is former Dodgers GM Buzzie Bavasi's 1959 LA Dodgers World Championship ring.
(auction link)

This next item has an interesting origination story.  The below item was a part of a unusual find from Pittsburgh.  A property owner was doing some rehab work and came across a bunch of cardboard advertising signs that were being used as insulation. 

Featured below is a 1956 P.F. Flyers "Big League Baseball Stars on TV" advertising sign.  As you can see, Duke Snider would be teaching kids, "How to Play the Outfield".
(auction link)

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2014 Topps Series 1 Baseball - The Autographed Dodgers Cards

This will be my last post featuring Dodgers' cards from 2014 Topps Series 1 Baseball.  Well... It'll be my last post until cards from the Spring Fever redemption set start making their way into collectors hands.  In the meantime, check out some of the Dodgers' autographed insert cards from Topps.  Go here to see all of my previous post featuring this set.

Below is the only Ricky Nolasco autographed card with him wearing Dodger Blue.

Trajectory Autographs

#TA-BBU Bill Buckner

#TA-RN Ricky Nolasco

#TA-SK Sandy Koufax

There are numerous Dodgers' redemption cards; including redemptions for a Pedro Martinez (#BGA-PM) and Sandy Koufax (#BGA-SK) 'Before They Were Great Autographs'. 

Directly below is a Adrian Gonzalez Super Veterans autographed card.  An autographed relic card also exist (#SVAR-AG), but I have yet to see one.

Super Veterans Autographs

#SVA-AG Adrian Gonzalez

UPDATE:  Here is a pic of the Adrian Gonzalez Super Veterans autograph relic card
#SVAR-AG Adrian Gonzalez


Postseason Performance Autographs

#PPA-CK Clayton Kershaw

There are also a couple of Hyun-Jin Ryu autographed cards (without a relic piece) in the set, but I have yet to find a reasonably attractive photo to post yet (#FNA-HR1 & #FNA-HR2).  Also, their are a couple of Yasiel Puig autographed relic cards in the set, but only a redemption card is available currently (#FNAR-YP1 & #FNAR-YP2).

UPDATE:  Below are some pics provided by Topps tumblr of "The Future is Now" Yasiel Puig autographed relic cards  (#FNAR-YP1 & #FNAR-YP2):

The Future Is Now Autograph Relics

#FNAR-HR1 Hyun-Jin Ryu

#FNAR-HR2 Hyun-Jin Ryu

A Yasiel Puig Postseason Performance Autographed Relic card (#PPAR-YP) is also available, but only through a redemption.

UPDATE:   Below are some pics provided by Topps tumblr of "Postseason Performance Autographed Relic" card of Yasiel Puig.

Postseason Performance Autograph Relic

#PPAR-CK Clayton Kershaw

And to just be complete, below is a checklist for the Dodgers' Strata Cut Signatures cards.  They are all '1 of 1' cards, and none of them have appeared in the hobby.
#SCS-DD Don Drysdale
#SCS-DS Duke Snider
#SCS-LD Leo Durocher
#SCS-PR1 Pee Wee Reese
#SCS-PR2 Pee Wee Reese

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Dodgers Spring Training Roster, Schedule and Other Information


We're on the dawn of a new season.  Tomorrow, Dodgers pitchers and catchers officially report to Camelback Ranch for Spring Training.  The sun will be out, the grass will be freshly cut and fans the world-over will rejoice as Spring ushers in a new beginning.

Soon, Dodger Blue will encompass Phoenix like a fog in the early morning.  The masses will parade into town bearing good wishes and thoughts of October glory.  They'll cheer for their favorites, and pray that the kids can exceed their expectations.

This weekend is the start of another Dodgers' Spring Training, and this fan cannot wait.

For those of you heading out to Arizona, below is some information I think will be helpful.  Before you check out the stuff below, I suggest you read Matt Slatus piece at Dodger Insider titled, "The insider’s guide to Spring Training at Camelback Ranch".  It's a must read; especially the item below:
Autographs: Players love to sign autographs during Spring Training. There are two great spots for trying to get autographs. First, head along the practice fields as players move from workout to workout. (Tommy Lasorda has been known to sign autographs for visiting fans as well.) Once games move into the main stadium, fans can line the third-base line as Dodgers players enter the field from the left-field corner prior to the game.
Now, here is some basic information.
STADIUM ADDRESS:         
Los Angeles Dodgers
Camelback Ranch – Glendale
10712 West Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85037
The website for Camelback Ranch can be found here.

Below are the planned batting practice times.  I am uncertain when they will open up the gates for fans, though.

BATTING PRACTICE:      Afternoon Games (1:05 p.m. starts):
                                                Dodger BP: Until 11:15 a.m.
                                                Visitor BP: 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
                                                Visitor Infield: 12:20 p.m.-12:30 p.m.
                                                Dodger Infield: 12:30 p.m.-12:40 p.m.

                                                Night Games (7:05 p.m. starts):
                                                Dodger BP: Until 5:15 p.m.
                                                Visitor BP: 5:15 p.m.-6:15 p.m.
                                                Visitor Infield: 6:20 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
                                                Dodger Infield: 6:30 p.m.-6:40 p.m.

Below is the complete Dodgers Spring Training game schedule:



Below is a complete roster of Dodger players/coaches at Spring Training:


00        Brian Wilson RHP
3          Carl Crawford OF
5          Juan Uribe INF
7          Alex Guerrero INF
8          Don Mattingly           Manager
9          Dee Gordon INF
10        Justin Turner                 INF
11        John Valentin          Asst Hitting Coach 
12        Justin Sellers INF
13        Hanley Ramirez INF
14        Dan Haren RHP
15        Davey Lopes          1st Base Coach 
16        Andre Ethier OF
17        A.J. Ellis C
18        Chone Figgins               INF/OF
21        Zack Greinke RHP
22        Clayton Kershaw LHP
23        Adrian Gonzalez INF
25        Mark McGwire          Hitting Coach
26        Tim Federowicz C
27        Matt Kemp OF
28        Jamey Wright RHP
29        Tim Wallach            Bench Coach
30        Miguel Olivo                 C
31        Drew Butera C
33        Scott Van Slyke OF
35        Brendan Harris             INF
36        Matt Magill RHP
37        Mike Baxter         OF
38        Sam Demel                   RHP 
40        Rick Honeycutt          Pitching Coach
41        Nick Buss  OF
43        Brandon League RHP
44        Chris Withrow RHP
45        J.C. Boscan                   C
47        Daniel Moskos              LHP
48        Ken Howell            Asst Pitching Coach
49        Lorenzo Bundy       3rd Base Coach
50        Chuck Crim          Bullpen Coach 
52        Javy Guerra RHP
54        Chris Perez RHP
56        J.P. Howell LHP
57        Scott Elbert LHP
58        Chad Billingsley RHP
59        Stephen Fife RHP
60        Jose Dominguez RHP
61        Josh Beckett RHP
62        Pedro Baez RHP
63        Yimi Garcia RHP
64        Zach Lee                       RHP
65        Joc Pederson                 OF
66        Yasiel Puig OF
67        Chris Reed                    LHP
68        Ross Stripling                RHP
70        Chris O’Brien               C
71        Seth Rosin RHP
72        Miguel Rojas                 INF
73        Clint Robinson              INF
74        Kenley Jansen RHP
75        Paco Rodriguez LHP
76        Jarret Martin LHP
77        Carlos Frias                   RHP
78        Red Patterson                RHP
79        Griff Erickson              C
85        Rob Flippo           Bullpen Catcher
98        Onelki Garcia LHP
99        Hyun-Jin Ryu LHP

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Blog Kiosk: 2/7/2014 - Dodgers Links - Paco, Tommy and Scott Van Slyke


Dodger Stadium returns to the roots of Baseball - Sandlot Baseball.  Pic via @Dodgers on twitter.
  • Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner passed away at his home in Rancho Mirage.  He was 91 years old.  RIP, Ralph.  Via a story at the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Here are some quotes from Kiner:
“I got to Forbes Field and saw it was 406 feet to left-center with a 30-foot scoreboard, and I thought: ‘I’m going to kill that scout who signed me.’” 
 ---------------
“Someone asked me how come I signed up with the Mets (as a broadcaster), since they weren’t going to win many games. I said: ‘I’ve got a lot of experience with losing.’”
“I think we have a ball club that can really play and execute the game of baseball and bring to you fans… you, each and every one of you, you deserve a World Championship.”
“I think I’ll be more relaxed coming into this year,” said the 27-year-old. “I think last year I was a little more on edge. (Now) I’ll be able to have a little more fun and be on the field with guys I’m more familiar with.”

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