Daily Conlon: #171 Chief Meyers- Ball Players were a Rowdy Bunch

Here are today's Daily Conlon card numbered #171 of former Brooklyn Robins catcher Chief Meyers. He chats a bit about how "Ballplayers Were a Rowdy Bunch" and how much the game has changed.

"In those days, of course, baseball was different than it is today. I don't mean as a game, although that was different, too. I mean it was not well thought of, like it is today. Ball players were considered a rowdy bunch. We weren't admitted to hotels, that is first-class hotels."

Just check out @OutHossRadbourn on twitter for a taste for how crass those guys got. On the game:

"Nowadays, the pitcher waste so much time out there it's ridiculous- fixing his cap... pulling up his pants... rubbing his chin... wiping his brow... pulling his nose... scratching the ground with his feet. And after he does all that he looks all around at the outfield, and then he st-a-a-a-res in at the catcher giving the sign. Why, he's afraid to throw the darned ball! And with this modern jackrabbit ball, I don't know as I blame him."

2011 Allen & Ginter- Dodgers Inserts

Following up on yesterdays post featuring Dodger base cards to the 2011 Allen & Ginter set, here are some of the inserts you can find.

The next two cards are RIP cards within the set. They are limited in production (the Andre Ethier below is numbered to 50), and contain a hidden mini card inside of it. All you have to do is pull on a tab on the reverse to reveal the hidden treasure. Over time, some of the cards get "ripped" while other remain in its original prestine shape, so prices can vary widely depending on if your a betting man or not. One thing is for sure, most of the mini cards within RIP cards are much scarcer and therefore worth more than your average card. Anyway, there are 3 Dodger RIP cards available- see two of them below. I have yet to find a Clayton Kershaw to show you.


This is an example of a mini Kershaw card that can be found within a RIP card. Notice that it uses a different photo than the normal base card.

The Hometown Heroes insert set is one of the more common sets in Allen & Ginter. Three Dodgers are represented. See them below.

Andre Ethier, Hometown Heroes, #38

Clayton Kershaw, Hometown Heroes, #37

Matt Kemp, Hometown Heroes, #84

I know of only two Dodger relic cards within this years set. It includes a uniform piece of Ethier and a bat cards of James Loney.

Framed Relic #AGR-AE, Andre Ethier

Framed Relic #AGR-JL, James Loney

Vintage Spokesman: Dixie Walker Pitches Wheaties

Dixie Walker was "The People's Cherce" in the 40's. He was as popular as they come. They worshiped him on the field and sang his praises on the streets. Dixie was as loved as any ballplayer could be. On the other hand, his well deserved adoration was nothing compared to the nations number one breakfast meal, and Walker knew it. Check out this circa 1946 advertisement below.

"Talk about popularity," says Dixie Walker. "I'm voting all-time honors to Wheaties. They're the breakfast time favorites of many ballplayers I know- and they're my favorites, too. Wheaties solid nourishment and grand flavor make them my choice for starting breakfast about every morning of the year."

Daily Conlon: #170 Al Bridwell - The Reason McGraw was a Great Manager

Here is today's Daily Conlon card numbered #170 of Al Bridwell. He explains why John McGraw was such a great manager. As you may know, he was a longtime manager for the New York Giants. If you want to follow in McGraw’s inspirational footsteps as a team manager, check out Sports Management Colleges for related courses and training programs.

"The reason McGraw was a great manager- and he was the greatest- was because he knew how to handle men. Some players he rode, others he didn't. He got the most out of each man. It wasn't so much knowing baseball. All of them know that. What makes the difference is knowing each player and how to handle him."

The best part is when Bridwell describes punching out "Little Napoleon" (that was a knickname at the time) down the dugout steps.

eBay: Vintage Megaphone

Sometimes the best vintage collectibles are not the ones in the best of condition. Check out this vintage Los Angeles Dodgers cardboard megaphone, age unknown. It has been flattened as if sat upon by a happy fan, and I'm sure it has stories any fan would love to hear. Heck, I bet if you put your ear real close you can hear the roar of the crowd and Vin Scully in the background painting the story.

(Auction Link)

Blog Kiosk: 7/14/2011

This is purely a gratuitous pic. From TwitPic @miss_kateC87. Gotta love that she roots for the right team.

• Free agents wary of the the Dodgers, via Scoop Du Jour:

  Agent Scott Boras, who has a front-row seat at Dodger Stadium, agreed that the team could be a tough draw to prospective free agents this offseason: "What visiting players are saying to me is, 'It's different.' That spreads around the league," he said, the Times reports. "L.A. was always a place where there were 40,000 fans in the stands. The Dodgers were always one of the top-five teams in spending. In the player community, both of those dynamics have changed. Players are shocked by it."

• Dodgers television ratings are down, via Sports Business Journal.
  
• Listen to a SABR 41 convention talk between current and former Baseball GM's, here. Dodger GM's Fred Claire, Dan Evans and current Padres GM Jed Hoyer are included.
  
• Here is another SABR 41 talk with Former Dodgers Tommy Davis and Al Ferrara. Listen to a recording here.
  
• Here is Scott Boras's keynote speech from the SABR 41 convention, here.
  
• Ducksnorts writes about his experience at the SABR convention in Long Beach recently.
  
• Check out this great story about Dodgers peanut vendor Ronnie Nelson at the LA Times. He is 80 years old, and has been hawking peanuts for 53 years.
  
• Dodgers Nation puts together the top 5 Vin Scully moments.
  
• Check out this list of the Southland Baseball All-Star team put together at the SABR 41 convention, here. Something I did not realize- no other state in the union has produced more Major Leaguers than California.
  
• Former Dodger Wes Parker was at the SABR 41 convention. Check out this video below. (From the SABR website)

Video Link: