Leland's is about to conclude their most recent auction this weekend, and it includes several choice items I think Dodger fans (and Baseball fans in general) might enjoy seeing.
Below is a press telephoto from UPI celebrating Bill Singer's no hitter on July 20, 1970. The Dodgers beat the Phillies 5 to 0 and Singer accomplished every boys dream. What I find amazing about this photo is the use of the term "no-no" on the scoreboard. In fact, the term was just coined by Pirate pitcher Doc Ellis just one month before (June 20, 1970) when he threw a no hitter against the Padres.
"The Pirates were clinging to their 1-0 lead. Dock was staring at the scoreboard when he realized he'd pitched hitless ball for seven innings. He smacked Cash on the arm.
"Hey, look," said Dock, pointing at the scoreboard. "I've got a no-no going!"
Cash gave him a blank look. "A no-no?" asked Cash. He'd never heard the term before. But Cash wanted to keep the pitcher loose and happy, so he smiled and said nothing.
As some of you know, this
event has become infamous. Ellis claimed years later, in 1984, that he was under the influence of LSD at the game. Anyway, Ellis is known as the
inventor of the word, and it has stuck for nearly 40 years. Heck, just one month after his amazing feat it had became a normal part of Baseball lexicon as evidenced by the picture below. It's amazing how quickly slang phrases can spread.
Auction Link: Leland's March '08 Lot#198.
Below is a Type IV press wire photo of Babe Ruth sleeping in the laundry basket. After an afternoon of hot dogs, beer and Baseball Ruth passes out dead tired. I can imagine him bellowing, "just push me to the bus!"
Auction Link: Leland's March '08 Lot#236:
