Monday, November 30, 2015

Important Game-Used Baseballs from Orel Hershiser's Career at Grey Flannel Auctions


Are you a big fan of the Bulldog?  Would a game-used ball from his career highlight your collection?

For those of you who remember the fantastic exploits of the Dodger right-hander and want to add something  to your collection that is a reminder of how great he was, then this current auction from Grey Flannel might be up your alley.  Featured here are several game-used Baseball for sale that come directly from Hershiser.

As shown above, this is a game-used ball from Orel Hershiser's 20th win from the year the Dodgers last won the World Series - 1988.  Check out the auction here.  On September 8, 1988 Hershiser blanked the Cincinnati Reds, 5-0, for his 20th win of the season.  As you know, he went on to win 23 games, was awarded the Cy Young and was the World Series MVP. 

On a side note, I wonder if this ball was decorated by Dodgers' Clubhouse Manager Mitch Poole.  You will notice that the writing on this ball is fairly ornate and very different from the other Baseball's that are for sale.  So, it might be fair to say that this is a Mitch Poole stylized Baseball since he was known to do that for the players.  Unfortunately, the auction description does not indicate this, but I can't help but think it is.
(Auction Link)

The balls above and directly below is a part of a three ball lot of game-used Hershiser Baseballs.  The jewel of the lot is the above ball from his very first complete game victory, dated June 29, 1984.  He beat the Cubs, 7-1, on eight strike outs, one walk and nine hits.  The other two balls include a 16th win ball from the 1985 season (dated September 17, 1985) and his 18th win from the same season (dated September 27, 1985).  Check out the auction here.


The Baseball directly below marks Orel Hershiser's 100th career victory.  Check out the auction here.  There are two Baseballs in this lot available from this game.  Hershiser went seven innings and struck out six batters to defeat the Cubs, 6-3.  As you can see he has both signed and wrote a description of the event on the ball.

BTW, there is also another group of seven different Hershiser game balls available in another listing that you can see here.  Those balls include his 2nd career shutout, 3rd career shutout, 4th career shutout, 5th career shutout, a two-hitter from 1985, a one-hitter from 1985 and another one-hitter from 1985.

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Blog Kiosk: 11/30/2015 - Dodger Links - Puig, Roberts and More


It was a Blue Friday celebration with Justin Turner at the Top of the Park store at Dodger Stadium this past holiday weekend.  I hear the lines were long, and those that got there early were lucky enough to get his signature.  BTW, every weekend until Christmas the Dodgers will be hosting free autograph opportunities, so be sure to check out my calendar for that information.  I will of course put together a post a few days before each event as a reminder.  Below is the upcoming schedule:
Saturday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.                      Dennis Powell
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.                        Tim Leary
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.                          Eric Karros

Saturday, December 12, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.                     Ron Cey
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.                       Tommy Lasorda

Saturday, December 19, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.                        Tommy Lasorda
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.                          Eric Karros
Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:
  • Why does there have to be this kind of Puig news during the off-season?  It's both tiring and disconcerting.  I won't go into details since I figure most of you already know about it.  I will add that video of the entire incident is out there, so we'll either be totally disgusted or relieved.  Suffice to say, this kind of stuff doesn't happen in a vacuum.  What I mean to say is that bad stuff tends to surround people who make bad decisions, and clearly this kind of thing does not bode well for his future in Dodger Blue. 
  • Ben Badler at Baseball America shares his "Los Angeles Dodgers Top 10 Prospects" list, here.
  • Chris Mitchell at FanGraphs shares, "KATOH’s Top 100 Prospect List for 2016," and nine Dodger players can be found on it.
  • Via David Hood at True Blue LA, "Dodgers top prospects 2016: No. 18, Brendon Davis."
The offensive profile might be the most appealing part of Davis’ game. Davis shows excellent barrel control and a contact oriented approach to hit for solid average. His swing plane is mostly level and he will hit to both sides of the field. As he gets stronger, he should see even more success with his line drive approach from gap to gap.
“I’m thinking this guy is going to make the drive up from Poway three or four times. He did it three or four times a week,” (Former GM Dan) Evans said. “I remember thinking, ‘Wow. This guy gets it.’ I kept waiting for those Friday excuses. We all make them. You know what the traffic can be like on Fridays. He never made one.

“I think he has a chance to be really successful – and he doesn’t have to change. I’m a Dave Roberts fan, have been since the day we acquired him. I’m happy he’s not in our league. I can root for him until late October.”
* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *