Vintage Fan Made Dodger Snapshots

There is nothing better then vintage fan-made photo snapshots. As I've written many times before, there is no better perspective than the photos made by fans at a game. This week a Tennessee dealer pulled out a photo album find of one fans view of the game at Wrigley Field, circa 1941. Below are a group of the Dodger players.

Here is Hall of Famer Joe Ducky Medwick. He only spent 5 seasons with the Brooklyn squad after a spectacular 9 seasons with the Cardinals. The auction description has a great biography on him so I'll repost some of it here.

Fans nicknamed him "Ducky" and "Ducky Wucky" because of his waddle, but his build led to the nickname of "Muscles," which meant that none of his teammates dared to use the name "Ducky" to his face. His hard-charging style of play got him pulled out of the seventh game of the 1934 World Series by Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis, when Detroit Tigers fans started pelting him with garbage after he slid hard into third on a triple. Medwick helped lead the Dodgers to a pennant in 1941, but had lost much of his dominance after being nearly killed by a beanball thrown at him by a former Cardinal teammate 6 days after his 1940 trade. He eventually returned to finish his career with the Cardinals in 1947 and 1948. During a USO tour by a number of players in 1944, Medwick was among several individuals given an audience by Pope Pius XII. Upon being asked by the Pope what his vocation was, Medwick replied, "Your Holiness, I'm Joe Medwick. I, too, used to be a Cardinal."

(Auction Link)

Below is Dixie Walker. He spent 9 of his 18 Major League seasons with the Dodgers where he enjoyed his greatest on field success. He was an All-Star 4 times and batted .311 with the Boys in Blue.

(Auction Link)

Whitlow Wyatt poses before warming up.

(Auction Link)

Here is Mickey Owens. Below is from the auction description.

After his discharge from the military in 1946, Owen expected to return to Brooklyn, but he failed to reach an agreement with the Dodgers and signed a contract to be a player-manager in the Mexican League. There were others several big leaguers that fled to Mexico, attracted by good salaries. In retaliation for the defections, Commissioner Happy Chandler sought a lifetime suspension for them, but his penalty was later reduced to three years.

(Auction Link)

Leo Durocher.

(Auction Link)

Auto Collection: Billingsley by the Letters

I love the concept of these letterman autograph patch cards. Basically, they are non-game used letter patches that are signed and placed in a super thick card. Every letter in the players name is used creating a great set if you can track them all down. Above and below is my Chad Billingsley 2006 Upper Deck SP "By the Letters" autographed card.

My early attempt at building a complete set of these Billingsley auto-cards failed miserably. I got just this one card and never got close to getting another one on eBay. I kept getting outbid. In fact, (and this is entirely true) before the days when you could see the complete name of those who you were bidding against, I was continually getting beat out by a bidder who used the name ChadBillingsley. (See his profile on eBay here)

Now, I don't know if it was just some guy who happened to share the same name or was actually the Dodger pitcher, but he was really getting on my nerves. I didn't feel aggravated because I couldn't complete the set (I'm fine with that), but I soon found that I couldn't get any auto cards of Billingsley. This eBay bidder wanted every Billingsley card out there.

So, this is my message to you Mr. Billingsley, or who ever you are, please stop and let some of us win a few.

Auto Collection: Welch & John

You can't go wrong with these two vintage former Dodgers. Bob Welch was drafted by the Dodgers in the 1st round of the 1977 draft. Then went on to pitch 10 glorious years for the team, compiling a 115-86 record and a 3.14 ERA. Before the magical 1988 season he was a part of a 3 team trade that netted us some needed pieces for that improbable World Series win- Jesse Orosco, Afredo Griffin and Jay Howell.

Tommy John was phenomenal for the Dodgers. In 6 Dodger season he recorded a 87-42 record with a ERA of 2.97, and even won 20 games for us in 1977. On top of that, he is probably one of the more well known Ballplayers outside of Baseball fandom circles. After all, how many folks have a surgery named after them?

Here are the front and reverse of the 2006 Topps Co-Signers card featuring autos of Bob Welch and Tommy John.

Auto Collection: Beltre's Timeless Treasures

Donruss really made some beautiful insert cards. This one is especially nice. I love the sepia toned design. It gracefully highlights the autograph and bright blue jersey swatch piece. This is a 2005 Donruss Timeless Treasures card of Adrian Beltre. It is numbered 2 out of 29.

The Auction of All Auctions: 1988 Gibson Momentos For Sale

Holy Mackerel!

Where you as shocked as I was when you read the story written by Tom Hoffarth, of the LA Daily News, yesterday. The most recent and cherished Dodger memory featuring a World Series title for the ages is about to be on the auction block later this month. Southern California Auctioneer, SCP, has been chosen to sell Kirk Gibson's entire 1988 treasure cache. There's his World Series trophy, his MVP award, and the uniform, bat and helmet he wore in Game 1. We all remember Game 1 don't we?

This kind of material is so incredible, so awe inspiring, that I can't believe it will really be available to the highest bidder.

Please! Please! Will some benevolent patron put this up for display for all of us to enjoy?

Below are some pics of the treasures of '88, and here is a link to a press release from SCP Auctions.
BTW, all of sale proceeds from the trophy and MVP award will benefit the Kirk Gibson Foundation.
This upcoming auction will also feature a whole bunch of other Baseball material- from a Pete Rose corked bat to a T206 Wagner.

Dodgers Police: 1981 Set - Part 4

I am back with the final installment of cards from the Dodgers 1981 Police set. Check out Part 1, Part 2, or Part 3.
I don't remember Pepe at all, but your afro is awesome! Plus, your helpful tip on the reverse of this card is surprisingly simple and needs to be taught to every kid out there.
Hey, Bobby. 1981 was Castillo's last year with the Dodgers.
Skateboarding is not a crime!
I love Mickey Hatcher, and I will never forget his incredible performance during the 1988 World Series run. Unfortunately, Mickey was traded to the Twins for Kenny Landreaux just before the start of the 1981 season. So, this card is a bit prematures and we would have to wait a few more years before experiencing the magic from the man who would lead "The Stuntmen."
RIP Steve.