Daily Conlon: #172 Hans Lobert - The Horse Just Did Beat Me In

Here is today's Daily Conlon card #172 of Hans Lobert as he speaks about how "The Horse Just Did Beat Me In."

This is a great story... especially when you consider the Daily Conlon card from just a few days ago about how great a manager John McGraw was. Check this out.

"The mayor (McGraw) asked me if I would race a horse around the bases that afternoon."

"'Lord,' I said, 'I'm not here to run horses around the bases. I'm here to play baseball.'"

"But he wouldn't take no for an answer, and McGraw finally talked me into agreeing to it."

Bill Klem was to be the referee and we were ready to go. A pistol started us , and off we went. I led at first base by at least five feet, and by the second base I had picked up and was a t least ten feet ahead. I was in perfect stride, hitting each bag with my right foot and going faster all the time. But instead of the horse keeping his distance, he crowded me between second and third and I had to dodger to avoid being knocked down. I broke stride, and that was the end. I was still in front as we rounded third, but not by much ad on the home stretch the horse just did beat me in. I still think I would have won if I hadn't been practically bowled over at shortstop.

"Bill Klem said the horse won by a nose."

John McGraw was the master. Can you imagine a manager today convincing a player to do such a thing?

Hunt Auctions: Tootsie's Dodger Collection

Within the confines of old Ebbets Field it wasn't unusual for the fans to build a close relationship with the ballplayers. Sometimes, they new them by name, like Hilda Chester, or heard them from the stands, like the Sym-Phony Band. Other times, a fan becomes so trusted they end up being your child's babysitter. That's what happened to young teenager Margaret Chandler.

Margaret was a born and raised Brooklynite who ventured to games during the golden era of Brooklyn Baseball. She would travel via the subway and would be sure to miss the trolleys as they passed. Eventually, she became a trusted babysitter for Dodger first baseman Ed Stevens and even earned a nickname from the team. Margaret was better known as "Tootsie" due to her Tootsie Pops gifts to players after home games.

What a charmed life she lived as a child as her connection to the team led to a treasure trove of goodies. At the recently completed All-Star Game in Phoenix, Hunt Auctions held their annual live auction at the All-Star FanFest that featured a small lot of memorabilia items from Ms. Chandlers collection. Below are just a couple of things that really stood out to me.

Here is a group of vintage Dodger snapshots taken by Tootsie. Many are autographed. There were 88 photos in the lot and I'd love to see the rest of them. It sold for $500.00.

(Auction Link)

This is definitely the prize of Margaret's collection. Here is a 1947 rookie year game used bat from Jackie Robinson. Along with the bat was a team signed get well card from the Dodgers to Tootsie. It sold for $85,000.00.

(Auction Link)

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.