Blog Kiosk: 8/17/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fantastic in-action United Press photo featuring the first at-bat between Ralph Branca and Bobby Thomson after last season's "Shot Heard 'Round the World." (eBay auction link) Per the descriptor on the reverse:

This Time Thomson Walks

Renewing old acquaintances, Giants slugger Bobby Thomson, whose homer in the playoffs the last season gave the pennant flag to the 'miracle' team, faces Dodger hurler Ralph Branca for the first time this season. In their clash at Ebbets Field, April 19. It was Branca who pitched that fatal ball back in '51. This time Thomson walked. Roy Campanella is the Dodger backstop, and the plate umpire is Bill Stewart.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1982 the Dodgers and Cubs played a 17 inning game that was temporarily halted at a tie, 1-1, because of darkness (this was before Wrigley Field had lights). The next day they begin where they left off. The Dodgers would eventually win on a sacrifice fly by Dusty Baker in the 21st inning. In 1992 Dodgers hurler Kevin Gross no-hit the Giants at Dodger Stadium, 2-0. Watch the last out of the game, as called by Vin Scully, here. Per a NY Times article:

"The later it got, the more the adrenaline started pumping," Gross said. "It was just a blur when that last out was made."

• Happy Birthday, George Harper, Doug McWeeny, Joe Bradshaw, Boog Powell, Brad Wellman, Jeff Fischer & Kyle Farmer!

Shot Heard 'Round The World Relic Available at Goldin Auction

Dodgers fans both young and old know this story well.

In 1951 the Brooklyn team held a 13.5 game lead over the New York Giants with 44 games left to play. Remarkably, this lead wasn't enough. The Giants would pull off a monumental run that saw them win 37 of their final 44 games to pull into a tie with Brooklyn at the end of the regular season.

Quickly, a three-game playoff series was scheduled to determine the pennant winner. The Dodgers would lose the first game at Ebbets Field, 1-3, then win game two at the Polo Grounds, 10-0. The third and deciding game, played in upper Manhattan, came down to the wire. With the Dodgers leading 4-1 in the ninth the Giants rallied to score four runs to win, 5-4 -- with the dagger to the heart coming on a walk-off three-run home run by Bobby Thompson off of Dodger hurler Ralph Branca.

With that the "Shot Heard 'Round The World" was born.

Vintage Dodger Photos at Heritage Auctions

Heritage is closing up their vintage Sports Photography Auction this weekend, but before that happens I wanted to point out a couple of unique photos.

Check out those legs.

Featured is a May 5,1938 ACME press photo that doesn't provide the typical perspective we expect when thinking of a sports photo. Instead, what we see are the legs of Brooklyn Dodger first base coach Babe Ruth. (auction link) Best yet, the descriptor on the reverse is worth checking out:

Some Great Vintage Dodgers' Photos on eBay - Ruth, Jackie and the Shot Heard 'Round the World

It's been awhile since I've looked around eBay for some interesting Dodgers' collectibles.  I just haven't taken the time to do any window shopping, if you will, so when I got a notice from HYee Auctions that they had a large group of vintage photographs and negatives for sale I immediately decided to take a gander.  And, I am so glad I did. 

They had a ton of Dodger's stuff that closed this past weekend; with more closing in the next day or so.  Below are some of my favorites.  BTW, I didn't win anythings... which kinda annoys me... prices got way too high on some of the better stuff... Oh, well.

Here is a original 1938 photographic negative of Babe Ruth as a Brooklyn Dodgers as captured by George Burke. Babe Ruth is with two men identified by Burke as John McDonald and Ed Zectner. This negative sold for $79.00.

(auction link)

If you've seen the Jackie Robinson movie that came out earlier this year, called "42", then you know a bit about the below photo.  Here is an original Type 1 press photo of the infamous photo of Jackie Robinson and Phillies coach Ben Chapman playing nice.  Per the auction description:

Chapman vehemently oppose integration of whites and blacks in baseball with several controversial statements. In an early Dodgers-Phillies series in Brooklyn, Chapman’s southern prejudices reared its ugly head. The level of verbal abuse directed by Chapman and his players at Robinson reached such proportions that it made headlines in the New York and the national press. Chapman instructed his pitchers, whenever they had a 3-0 count against Robinson, to bean him rather than walk him harmlessly! As it turned out, Chapman's attempts to intimidate Robinson backfired with the Dodgers rallying behind Robinson, and there was increased sympathy for him in many circles. The backlash against Chapman was so severe that he was forced to pose in a photo with Robinson as a conciliatory gesture when the two teams next met in Philadelphia in May. This incident prompted Dixie Walker - a teammate of Robinson's - to comment, "I never thought I'd see old Ben eat sh*t like that.”

This photo sold for an incredible $849.00.  Wow!

(auction link)

(auction link)

The below photo is sad, but is also poignant.  After Bobby Thompson whacked his shot heard 'round the world, pitcher Ralph Branca can be seen walking back to the Dodgers clubhouse sulking in the moment.  This photo sold for $260.00.

(auction link)

Following up on the photo above.  Here is a 1951 press photo featuring a sign that says, "No razor blades sold to Brooklyn fans until Sunday night.  Giant fans help yourself".  From the description attached to the photo:

Larry Pearlman, manager of a news stand at LaGuardia Airfield, refuses to sell razor blades to fellow Dodger fan Donald Smith after he found out Smith's Baseball loyalties.

This photo is still on auction and closes tonight.

(auction link)

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Blog Kiosk: 10/20/2011

Tommy and Wes Parker visit with a young patient at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. (Pic Link: yfrog Dodgers)

• Baseball Interactions hears from old-time former Dodger Mike Sandlock about Branch Rickey.
• Former Dodger Assistant GM Kim Ng will interview with the Angels for the open GM spot, via ESPN. Good luck Kim!
• Edgar met Ozzy Osbourne and writes all about it here.
• I say, burn it. A collector may have unearthed Bobby Thomson's game-used jersey from the 'shot heard around the world,' via ESPN.
• By deepest condolences to the family and friends of Cy Buker. He recently passed away at the age of 93 in Wisconsin. Nick Diunte has a great story about him here. Also, I had previously written about him back in 2009, here.
• Check out this recording from StoryCorps as, then teenager, Harvey Sherman recalls Bobby Thomson's heartbreaking home run.
• Great catch Fleer Sticker Project. I've got a bunch of these pins featuring Dodger players and have always wondered where they came from.
• Could this be the oldest surviving hockey stick in the world, via SCD.

  The stick had been in the barbershop of George Ferneough for decades. He finally sold the stick to Mark Presley for $987 in 2008.

• The Dodgers send their thanks.

Video Link:

RIP: Bobby Thompson

Bobby Thompson died yesterday at the age of 86. As all good Dodger fans know he perpetrated a great offense to us all. He hit a pennant deciding home run against the "Boys in Blue" in 1951. They have since called it the "Shot Heard 'Round the World." Although his indiscretion in favor of the hated Giants should curry some hatred from me, I just cannot muster it. He was a fine man who had a fine career.

Rest in Peace, "Flying Scot."

Barney Stein's New Book

Nostalgia is as thick as fog these days. The Dodgers are celebrating their 50th Anniversary in Los Angeles this year with a game at their original ballpark in the Coliseum. Dodger Stadium is going through a complete face lift, complete with new concessionaires. Dodgertown is no more as the team removed itself from one of the last reminders of its Brooklyn heritage. Fortunately, the past is not all lost. The family of Barney Stein, the long-time official photographer for the Brooklyn Dodgers, just released a book of their fathers great photos. Go to their website for more info.

Barney, only 5-foot-4, was known as “the spry little guy with the camera.” He was the embodiment of perpetual motion, on the field and in the photographers’ box suspended between home plate and first base or in the locker room.

...

He not only taught me photography, but I learned about the strong emotions of the game and friendships among the players and those associated with the team.

In those days the Dodgers were like an extended family, and his photo archives are like a family album. It was a time when the fans walked the players home, win or lose, and the players would willingly sign autographs and pose for photos with their adoring fans. Major League Baseball blogger Derek Savage recently wrote: “They were the only team in MLB history to be named for a neighborhood rather than a city or state. It was all about community. The Dodgers were family; a metaphor for life in America. In the 1950s, the Brooklyn Dodgers were America.”

Below is Ralph Branca after his pitch to Bobby Thompson.

Barney-Stein Photography Website:
Story Link: Naples News:
Hat Tip: Sports Collectors Daily:

Mastro Auctions

This is one of the biggest auction months I've ever seen. With tax day just passing the big auction houses are betting that collectors will have enough money left in their pockets to bid big. Mastro is the third large house to be open for business this month.

Below is a rarely seen Schaefer Beer stand-up advertising sign featuring a Brooklyn fan hoping for a big year. I think it helps that she has a beer in one hand, just in case the bums of yesteryear disappoint her. Nevertheless, she maintains a happy smile and a hopeful gaze. (Please note: Although real copies are rarely seen numerous fakes exist in the marketplace, especially on eBay. Be weary if you see one on eBay.) Mastro Auction Link: Schaefer Beer Sign:

The below item is something I know I will regret showing. It is a unused ticket to one of the games most memorable moments, or the games most despised moments. This ticket is from the game when Bobby Thompson hit the "Shot Heard 'round the World." Argh! I can't stand the audio clip from that game. "The Pumpkins win the pennant! The pumpkins win the pennant." Mastro Auction Link: Thompson Ticket: