The Hall Takes But Can't Share It All

Vintage Baseball Card Forum poster Joseph recently went on a special tour at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and discovered a hidden treasure trove of Baseball history sitting on shelves in the basement.
The rumors are that they have over 35,000 three dimensional artifacts in storage, as well as, a couple of million items within their library. Unfortunately, due to the lack of space and funding for a new building they can never show everything.

Above is a pic of the basement. You can readily see a Joe Cronin autographed ball and various trophies.

It would be a wonderful thing if the Hall of Fame could find a way to display most of what they have. Why not partner up with some Major League teams to sponsor Baseball museums at their ballparks. In fact, since Dodger Stadium is planning their own museum in their upcoming makeover maybe they can strike a deal with the Hall to bring over some items. It could potentially be a mutually beneficial relationship. Consider the cross promotional benefits. The Dodgers would be able to show their fans some great rare items and the Hall could promote their facility and sell souvenirs. It's a win-win.

Hat Tip: VBCF:

KPCC Continues Their Dodger Series

If you've forgotten about 89.3 KPCC's radio series about the history of the Dodgers, like I had, then go ahead and check them out. They are up to Part 5.

Part 1: Dodgers Move to LA Wasn't Popular:
Part 2: LA's Baseball Team Almost Became the 'Senators':
Part 3: Walter O'Malley Was Influential in Bringing Dodgers to LA:
Part 4: A Helicopter Ride Led Dodgers to Chavez Ravine:
Part 5: Chavez Ravine Residents Fought to Save Homes:

Above is the helicopter Walter O'Malley used to flu over Chavez Ravine.

On May 2, 1957, Dodger owner Walter O'Malley takes a 50-minute helicopter ride to view prospective sites for Dodger Stadium. From left is Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn; Undersheriff Peter Pitchess; Del Webb, co-owner of the New York Yankees; O'Malley; and pilot Capt. Sewell Griggers at Biscailuz Center. Only O'Malley and Capt. Griggers took the helicopter ride over the Los Angeles area in the two-seat Sheriff's helicopter. It was only O'Malley's third visit to Los Angeles.

1st Place Baby!!

Hockey At Wrigley Field

Looks like I'm gonna have to try to make it to Chicago this coming New Years Day.

According to an NHL source, the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings will participate in the league's second outdoor Winter Classic on New Year's Day.

Last year they held the inaugural event at Ralph Wilson Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills, in a match between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres. It was one of the best hockey games I saw last year on TV. It was freezing cold, but 71,217 enthusiastic fans showed up. This year they will be playing at Wrigley Field- home of the Cubs.

Story Link: Star Tribune:
Pic Link: 1060west.net:

Card of the Week: Archibald "Moonlight" Graham

This weeks card of the week really isn't a card at all, but is instead a Sporting Life team composite print circa 1906-1907 of the Scranton Baseball Club. Sporting life magazine was one of the premier baseball journals of the time. From 1902 to 1909 they sold these large 13" X 14" prints to fans throughout the country. They are very rare and look great framed and matted. This particular print was sold in a portfolio book of 24 different teams, but they where also sold individually for 10 cents a piece.

The reason why the 1907 Scranton Baseball Club of the New York State League is notable is because it includes one of Baseballs more mythical players- Archibald "Moonlight" Graham. See him on the bottom left below. As we all know his story was highlighted in the movie called "A Field of Dreams." Graham played in one game in the field, but never got a chance to bat. He was left standing in the on-deck circle while the final out was recorded to end the game. He would never appear in a Major League game again. He ultimately left Baseball to became a doctor in the town of Chisholm, Minnesota. Doc Graham was beloved there as he worked in the town for fifty years.

The print below is, from my understanding, one of the few known Baseball vintage artifact/ memorabilia pieces known to exist of "Doc" Archibald "Moonlight" Graham.
(Hat Tip: Vintage Baseball Card Forum)

Blog Kiosk 7/6/2008

Three games under .500 and only half a game out of first. You gotta love the National West.

• This is one of the best Dodger fan uniform ever! Courtesy of Home Run Derby. Check out the video they have of her running bye in the outfield bleachers.
• Barry Bonds homerun ball #756 that was branded with an asterisk by designer Ecko has finally made it into the Hall of Fame. ESPN has the full background story of the negotiations between the Hall and Ecko. (Hat Tip: SOSG) Photo from Wax Heaven.
  
• Check it out. Even George Carlin has a card. (Hat Tip: Trader Crack's)
• Gavel Chat queries a handful of the most senior ticket collectors in the hobby to come up with their Top 10 Vintage Sports Tickets of All-Time.
• Who's for a high-speed train connecting Southern and Northern California. It seems like the timing couldn't be better. It's on the ballot this coming November as Proposition 1.
• Dmitri Young has one of the finest collections of rookie cards featuring Hall of famers. He has about 150 cards and all are in PSA 10 condition. That means they are in Gem Mint perfect condition, like they are fresh from a pack. At this coming National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago later this month it will be on display. Hat Tip: SCD: