Original Nicholas Volpe Drawing of Claude Osteen

As a lad I remember sitting in the car with my folks and making note of every Union 76 station.  When one came into view I'd yelp out, "do we need gas?  Let's get some gas."  I'm sure I got to be quite annoying, but a young Dodger fan has got to do what he's got to do.  After all, I needed that new Dodger giveaway to add to my growing collection. 

As you know, the 80's (the principal time of my youth) was filled with Dodger memorabilia from that gas station.  They offered a series of pins during the later half of the decade and a highly attractive player portrait set created by noted artist Nicholas Volpe.  (You can see scans of my complete 1982 Volpe Dodgers Portrait set here.)

As I got older I found out that Volpe created similar sets for the Dodgers in the 60's, so I naturally sought them out too.  One of those portraits, from 1969, is the subject of this post.  Featured above is an original drawing by Nicholas Volpe of former Dodger pitcher Claude Osteen from the 1969 set, and it is currently available for sale on eBay. (eBay Auction Link) 

The drawing measures 10"x13" (slightly larger than the portraits given away by Union 76) and comes directly from the personal collection of Claude Osteen.  Strikingly, this years set includes a splash of purplish pastel hues in the background -- the kind of flare missing from his drawing produced in the 80's.  I have no idea if the $550 asking price is reasonable, but I do know that original drawings by Volpe from these sets do not come around very often.

Below are scans of the Osteen portrait given out in 1969 by Union 76.  You can go here to see scans of the entire set.

 Claude Osteen

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Blog Kiosk: 2/17/2017 - Dodgers Links - Spring is Here

Spring training is officially underway.  There are 32 pitchers and six catchers currently in camp.  Additionally, several position players; including Justin Turner, Corey Seager and Joc Pederson, have also arrived ahead of their Tuesday reporting date.  In other news, Yasiel Puig is also at Camelback Ranch and he brought a little friend, per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

Yasiel Puig has arrived in Dodgers camp, bringing with him a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire, housed in a wood box with "The Walking Dead" stamped on the outside. Spring training now has begun.

I suppose Puig is hoping to unleash his inner beast -- just like Negan.

Photo above of Dave Roberts first team meeting of Spring, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Go here to check out more great pics from Jon SooHoo of the Dodgers first workout yesterday.  Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Ed Brandt, Ike Boone, Rod Dedeaux (also the longtime USC Baseball manager), Ed Chandler & Roger Craig!
  

A Couple Vintage Dodger Pennants at Inside the Park Collectibles

As I've said before, I'm not much of a pennant collector, but when something catches my eye I can't help but share it.  Case in point, check out the two vintage Brooklyn Dodger pennants currently offered at auction at Inside the Place Collectibles.

Above is a fantastic 1955 World Series pennant that stretches 28.5 inches long and features the facades of both Ebbets Field and Yankee Stadium.  (Auction Link)  As you know, this represents the only championship series the team from Brooklyn won, and as you can imagine is highly sought after by collectors.  As of this posting it is already at $550.00.

Another great pennant is below.  It features the Brooklyn Dodger "Bum" reaching high for a long fly at Ebbets Field.  (Auction Link)  Issuance date is unknown.

This auction closes this weekend.

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Blog Kiosk: 2/16/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Featured in the above United Press Photo is one of the earliest indicators that the Dodgers would be moving out west.  (eBay Auction Link)  Per the descriptor on the reverse:

"It May Happen" -- Officials from the city of Los Angeles arrived at the Brooklyn Dodgers training camp here March 6th (1947) to confer with Dodger officials on the possibility of the team moving from Flatbush to the West Coast city.  Left to right are: Kenneth Hahn, of the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors; Los Angeles Mayor Norris Paulson; Dodger slugging star Duke Snider; and Dodger President Walter O'Malley.

The famous Dodger "Bum" as performed by legendary clown Emmett Kelly is seen in the background.  Per a story at Walter O'Malley.com:

Also in attendance were John Gibson, President of the City Council; Samuel Leask, City Administration Officer; John Leach, Los Angeles County Chief Administrative Officer; and Milton Arthur, Chairman of the County Recreation Commission. It was an opportunity for Los Angeles to put its best foot forward and explain its genuine hope of pursuing the Dodgers and bring Major League Baseball to the West Coast, while gauging O’Malley’s interest. During their visit and throughout that spring, Emmett Kelly, the world-famous clown, entertained everyone and his antics were well-received by the fans.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1989 Orel Hershiser becomes the first player in major league history to sign a contract that calls for a $3 million annual salary.  He signed a three-year $7.9 million contract that will pay him $3,166,667 in 1991.  How quaint, eh?
• Happy Birthday, Herbie Moran, Ángel Peña, Ramón Troncoso & Clint Robinson!
  

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: A Busy LA Kings Weekend

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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LA Kings defensemen Alec Martinez and Derek Forbort will be signing free autographs for fans today, Wednesday, February 15th from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Staples store in Torrance.  Go here for information.

Blog Kiosk: 2/15/2017 - Dodger Links - Pitchers and Catchers Report Day!

With today being the official start of Dodger Spring Baseball I figured the above Associated Press photo, dated February 27, 1949, would be appropriate to share.  Featured are a group of Brooklyn Dodgers at Penn Station in New York as they head on their way towards Vero Beach, Florida.  (eBay Auction Link) Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Members of the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Manager of the bluc's farm system, Branch Rickey, Jr. (at right, front row), leave Pennsylvania Station, New York, Deb. 27, enroute to Vero Beach, Fla., to open spring training on March 1.  From left (front) are: Coach Jake Pitler, Roy Campanella, Buddy Hicks, Rex Barney, and Rickey, Jr.  In back (left to right) are: Jackie Robinson, Gil Hodges and Gene Hermanski.

Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Charlie Irwin, George Earnshaw, Joe Moeller, Ron Cey, Rick Auerbach, Russell Martin & Russ Mitchell!