Daily Conlon: 379 through 387

Here are todays Daily Conlon cards numbered 379 through 387. Unfortunately, no one is featured in a Dodger uniform, but there is one former Dodger in the bunch.

Johnny Allen (located in the middle row, far right) played for Brooklyn for only 3 of his 13 Major League seasons. He did well in Blue, going 18-7 with a 3.21 ERA. True story, via wikipedia:

While working as a bellhop in a hotel, he was told to take some fans to the room of Yankee scout Paul Krichell. Allen told Krichell that he was a pitcher, and the scout arranged a tryout.

That's what I call good fortune.

Daily Conlon: 370 through 378

Here are todays Daily Conlon cards numbered 370 through 378, and it features former Dodger (Superbas) and Baseball umpire Mal Eason (center row, far right). Eason played in the Majors for 6 short years, two of which with the Brooklyn team in 1905 and 1906. By all accounts, he was lucky to have played that long. For Brooklyn he pitched a combined 15-38 with a 3.75 ERA, and lost twice the number of games he won in his entire career. You gotta feel bad for him, though. He played for some horrible teams.

To his credit, he did have one moment of brilliance. On July 20, 1906, against the St. Louis Cardinals, he pitched a no-hitter. He recorded 5 strike outs while allowing only 5 batted balls out of the infield.

After leaving the diamond he would umpire professionally for 13 years. Then, Mal became a cattle rancher in Arizona. A strange fact, he designed his own grave headstone in the shape of a mitt and ball. See it here.

Daily Conlon: 361 through 369

Okay, maybe this isn't quite coming to you the daily, but hey, cut me some slack. These are todays Daily Conlon cards that are numbered 361 through 369, and it features 9 more no-hitters. This time the Dodgers are featured on two cards, but not for the reason you would hope for. A Dodger pitcher didn't throw a no-no. Instead, we were the victims of a couple of no-hitters.

Click on any of the pics to embiggen.

Daily Conlon: 352 through 360

Here are todays Daily Conlon cards numbered 352 through 360, and it features highlights of some early no-hitters. Unfortunately, not a Dodger in the bunch, but it does show Sad Sam Jones (at center) who, as a member of the New York Yankees, threw a no-no in 1923 without one strike out.

Now you are probably wondering why he was called "Sad" Sam Jones. Well here's the story, via Baseball Library.

Bill McGheehan of the New York Herald-Tribune dubbed him Sad Sam because, to him, Jones looked downcast on the field. Jones told Lawrence Ritter that the reason he looked downcast was because, "I would always wear my cap down real low over my eyes. And the sportswriters were more used to fellows like Waite Hoyt, who'd always wear their caps way up so they wouldn't miss any pretty girls."

Daily Conlon: 343 through 351

Here are todays Daily Conlon cards numbered 343 through 351, and it celebrates, once again, no-hitters during the deadball era. This time, fortunately, no notable Dodger collapses are included in this lot, but it does feature a duel no-hitter by Ernie Shore (bottom row, far right) and Babe Ruth.

On a June 23rd game in 1917, Babe Ruth, then a star pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, started on the mound against the Washington Senators. To the very first batter he faced, Ray Morgan, Ruth gave up a walk. Being unhappy with the call, he argued with the umpire. He screamed, whined and eventually threw a punch. As you would expect, he was thrown out of the game. Ernie Shore subsequently came in to take over for the Future Hall of Famer and proceeded to get 26 straight outs for the Sox after Morgan was thrown out trying to steal 2nd base.

Daily Conlon: 334 through 342

This is todays Daily Conlon cards numbered 334 through 342, and it features nothing but deadball era no-hitters. Unfortunately, no Dodger is highlighted as throwing one in this group, but it does point to a couple of no-hitter pitched against the Dodgers. Even worse, both no-hitters were thrown by Giants.

Red Ames (on the top row, far left) threw his "no-no" early in the season in 1909. He blanked us in a 13 inning game against Kaiser Wilhelm. Both pitchers were phenomenal, unfortunately, Ames was just a little better. Wilhelm gave up 3 runs in the 13th inning to lose it 3-0. An amazing fact about the game is that the Giants outfield did not record one putout.

Giants pitcher Rube Marquard (bottom row, far right) threw his no-hitter against the Dodgers in 1915. It was his first start of the season as he blanked us 2-0. Of special note, Marquard would orchestrate his own trade to the Dodgers later on in that season. He wanted to play for his mentor and favorite coach, Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson.

Daily Conlon: 325 through 333

Here are todays Daily Conlon cards numbered 325 through 333. It features not only Charles Conlon himself (located on the top row, far right) but also Dodger hurler Nap Rucker (bottom row, far right). As you know by now, Charles Conlon is arguably the most famous of all Baseball photographers. He worked the field for nearly 4 decades, and as is credited with capturing the Ty Cobb "sliding into base" photograph that every fan has seen. Strangely, photography started out only as a hobby for Conlon (then in his mid-30's) until a sports editor for The Spalding Base Ball Guide encouraged him to take it on full time. He subsequently dominated the field throughout the 20's and 30's.

The Rucker card celebrates his no-hitter on September 5, 1908 against the Boston Braves. As stated on the reverse:

Nap Rucker, a career .500 pitcher, was struck with a hapless Brooklyn team in 1908 that finished 46 games out of first. But on September 5, the crafty Georgia southpaw was overpowering. He walked no one and fanned 14, striking out the side in the fourth inning. Three Brooklyn errors deprived him of a perfect game.

That figures. The Brooklyn Bums ruined his chance at perfection.

Daily Conlon: 316 through 324

Here are todays Daily Conlon cards numbered 316 through 324, and it featured former Brooklyn Dodger Lyn "Broadway" Lary. He was only on the team for a little over 3 months in 1939, having been purchased by the Dodgers from the Indians earlier in the year then selected off of waivers by the Cardinals near the end of the season. In 29 games for Brooklyn he batted a measly .161.

His best years was when he first came up to the big leagues with the New York Yankees. He was purchased from the Oakland Oaks of the PCL, along with Jimmy Reese, to man shortstop. In 1931 he became their starter and batted an impressive .280 while knocking in 107 and scoring 100 times. He was also a bit of a heel when he cost Lou Gehrig the home run title that year by incorrectly gauging a homer as caught and passing by Gehrig on his way back to the base. Gehrig was called out and the home run negated. He would tie for the title with Babe Ruth instead of outright winning it.

Daily Conlon: 307 through 315

Here are todays Daily Conlon cards numbered 307 through 315, and it features former Dodger great "Gentleman" Jake Daubert (located on the top row, on the far left) in a great pinstripe photograph. This card celebrates his 1913 season when he won the Chalmers Award. This was equivalent to the MVP award back then. He batted .350 with 178 hits, a .829 OPS, and a .991 fielding percentage.

Jake Daubert is arguably one of the best ballplayers who isn't already in the Hall of Fame. He batted over .300 for 10 season during the deadball era while being considered one of the best fielding first baseman during his time. Unfortunately, Jake died unexpectantly in 1924 while playing for the Reds. It is thought that a contributing factor in his death was a beaning to the head early that season- one of 8 he experienced throughout his career.

Daily Conlon: 298 through 306

Here are todays Daily Conlon cards numbered 298 through 306, and it features former Brooklyn Dodger Ed Brandt.

"Big Ed" Brandt spent only one season in Blue- 1936. He was traded to Brooklyn with utility player Randy Moore for future Hall of Famer Al Lopez and 3 other Brooklynites. He was decent on the mound for us, going 11-13 with a 3.50 ERA in 29 starts, but would be better known for a trade a season later to Pittsburgh. He was sent to the Pirates for Cookie Lavagetto. As you may know, Cookie became an All-Star for the Dodgers and a popular member of the team.

Daily Conlon: 289 through 297

Here are todays Daily Conlon cards numbered 289 through 297, and it features the butt of all jokes, Shanty Hogan- center row, far right. Click on any pic to embiggen.

As Bill James once noted, he is probably the subject of more anecdotes than any other balllpayer, save Babe Herman.

"All of these anecdotes center on how much he ate, or how much he liked to eat, or how fat he was, or some closely related topic. Pick up any old Baseball book at random, and you will probably find an anecdote about Hogan eating something."

Needless to say, Shanty was a big man with an appetite to match. One often told story had to do with his dealings with his coach John McGraw. McGraw, always in need of controlling his players habits, tried to slim down his slugging catcher by checking his nightly hotel dinner checks. He wanted to make sure that Shanty was sticking to his diet. Shanty, being as sly as he was hungry, developed a system with the help of the hotel kitchen to substitute any dietary item with something more to his liking. As teammate Andy Cohen said,

"He'd write down spinach, but that meant potatoes. He had a whole code of his own."

Daily Conlon: 280 through 288

Here are todays Daily Conlon cards numbered 280 through 288, and it features former Dodger Curt Davis- on the top row, far right. Click on any pic to embiggen.

Davis didn't get his chance to play in the Majors until he was 30 years old, but still was able to have a long career in the show. He played for 4 different clubs over 13 season. The key to his longevity was that he averaged less than 2 walks every 9 innings over his career.

Curt Davis joined the Brooklyn Dodgers as a 36 year old in 1940 and went on to win 66 games for them over 7 season. In 1946, at the age of 42, he pitched in just one game (his last in the Majors) and was sent back down for good to Montreal. There, he would be a teammate of Jackie Robinson.

Daily Conlon: 271 through 279

Here are todays Daily Conlon cards numbered 271 through 279, and it features dead ball era home run leader Gavvy Cravath. He was the greatest home run hitter of his time, having hit 24 home runs in 1915. This was a record that no one thought would ever be broken, but with the advent of a more livelier ball and a man named Babe Ruth his record and name would be relegated to the dustbin of history.

Of special note, Gavvy was the first Major League ballplayer from San Diego area. Also, Gavvy is a nickname he received when he killed a seagull with a batted ball. Fans, most of whom were Mexican started shouting gaviota- which is Spanish for seagull. As soon as the sportswriters heard they immediately dubbed the slugger Gavvy.

Daily Conlon: 262 through 270

Here are todays Daily Conlon cards numbered 262 through 270 that features former Dodger Ed Konetchy. It is a All-Time Leader card highlighting his 10 consecutive hits in 1919 as a member of the Brooklyn Robins. Again, the conlon card pictures him in a uniform other than the Dodgers even though he achieved the record with them.

Of special note, Konetchy was a bit of a hero. In 1910, as a member of the Cardinals, he helped rescue numerous passengers aboard a train crash. Along with manager Roger Bresnahan they led an effort to carry the injured to safety.

Daily Conlon: 253 through 261

Here are todays Daily Conlon cards numbered 253 through 261, and it features former Dodger Freddie Fitzsimmons on the bottom row, at center. The card highlights him as having the fourth highest winning percentage all-time for a season. Strangely, he achieved this feat as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1940 by going 16-2, but is pictured wearing the hated uniform of the New York Giants. What's up with that? Click on any of the pic to embiggen.

Daily Conlon: 244 through 252

Here are todays Daily Conlon cards numbered 244 through 252, and it features Hall of Famer and former Brooklyn Robin Rube Marquard on the bottom row, far right. Click on any pic to embiggen.

The Marquard is a All-Time Leader card highlighting his incredible 1912 season where he won an unbelievable 19 consecutive games to start the season for the New York Giants. He finished off that season leading the Giants to the pennant with 26 wins and a 2.57 ERA. No doubt, it was a season any pitcher would die for. Of special note,

"during Rube's 19 game streak, he relieved in the 8th inning of a game the Giants ultimately won. Present-day rules would have credited him with the victory, and he would have posted a consecutive streak with 20 games."

For a game by game rundown of his streak go here. Other accomplishments by Marquard include a no-hitter thrown against the Brooklyn team on April 15, 1915. On top of that, later that season this Giants pitcher orchestrated his own trade to the Brooklyn Robins to be with his old coach Wilbert Robinson.

Daily Conlon: 235 through 243

Here are the Daily Conlon cards numbered 235 through 243, and not a Dodger in the bunch. Fortunately, this page makes that up by introducing us to a fellow with quite possibly the funniest nickname around.

On the top row, far right is Zeke "Banana Nose" Bonura. If you take a close look at the action photo (you can click the pic to embiggen) you can see quite clearly why he was called that. He was also apparantly quite colorful, as well. From the Baseball Library:

A fans' delight and manager's nightmare, Bonura led AL first basemen in fielding in 1936 by refusing to become involved. As easy grounders bounded by untouched, Zeke waved his "Mussolini salute" with his glove. Known affectionately as "Banana Nose," the colorful and outspoken Bonura was the White Sox' first bona fide home run hitter, with 27 in his rookie year. He continued slugging, but his nonchalant fielding, aggravating annual hold-outs, and rumored interest in owner J. Lou Comiskey's daughter got him traded to Washington in 1938 in exchange for Joe Kuhel, the AL's top fielding first baseman.

Daily Conlon: 226 through 234

As I'm sure you already figured out, these Daily Conlon cards are hardly coming on a daily basis. Nevertheless, I promise to do my best. Please check out Conlon cards numbered 226 through 234.

It features a handful of trivia questions, but I want to focus on a former Dodger. On the bottom row, far left is Mel Almada who played only half a season with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1939. He is notable in Baseball history for being the first Mexican Baseball player to play in the Major Leagues.

Daily Conlon: 217 through 225

Here are todays Daily Conlon cards numbered 217 through 225. There are an assortment of players from around the league; including a couple of former Dodgers- George Watkins and Joe Vosmik. The card that I really wanted to focus on, though, is the "Trivia" card of Hall of Famer Mel Ott on the bottom row, far right.

Mell Ott had a 22 year Major League career with the New York Giants. As a result, it shouldn't be surprising that this slugger, with 511 career dingers, would be the answer to this trivia question. Who has hit the most home runs in 1 ballpark? As written on the reverse of the card.

"He hit 323 homers at the Polo Grounds, home of the New York Giants from 1911 until the team moved to San Francisco in 1958... the Polo Grounds were tailor made to his batting style. Only 257' down the right field line, the wall was a chip shot for a left handed hitter with Mel's power and consistency."

Click on the pic below to read more about him.

Daily Conlon: 208 through 216

Here are today's Daily Conlon cards numbered 208 through 216. Be sure to click on any of the pics to embiggen. It features longtime Dodger catcher Zach Taylor on the top row, far right.

He came up with the Dodgers in 1920 and stuck around in Brooklyn til 1925. He would then return to the borough in 1935 for his very last Major League season. From there, he would enter into a new part of his Baseball career as coach and manager and become tangentially connected to some of Baseball's wackiest events.

For 4 seasons he would man the St. Louis Browns under the guidance of master promoter Bill Veeck. It would be during this time he would become tied to Baseball folklore. In 1951 he sent up a 3 feet and 7 inch pinch hitter Eddie Gaedel up to the plate against Bob Cain of the Detroit Tigers. As the description of the back of the card says, "batting in a low crouch, Eddie walked on 4 pitches."

Then, seven days after the Gaedel fiasco Taylor willingly participated in another Veeck gimmick. The Browns passed around placards to the crowd with various game instructions printed on them like, swing, take, bunt, etc. -to allow fans to make managerial decisions for the afternoon. A poll would be taken and Zach Taylor dutifully follow suit. The Browns would win that game.