Thanks for the Memories

As I'm sure you've heard the Baseball guru, Greg Maddux, has called it quits. No longer will the league have to deal with his clairvoyant mastery of the game. He won't be around to pinpoint a strike right on the corner or call a game to near perfection. His ability to know a batters tendencies better than the batter themselves was uncanny. He is sure to be a first ballot Hall of Famer and will probably find himself on the bench coaching a lucky team to a World Series. He will be missed, but I doubt his absence from the game will be long.
In honor of his accomplishments I though I'd show his rookie cards. He first debut on cardboard in 1987 with his inclusion in the above 1987 Donruss card set. Maddux was originally drafted by the Cubs in 1984.

Fortunately for collectors his rookie cards are not very rare or expensive. Overproduction and investor hype during the late 80's has created an enormous supply that is doubtful to ever exceed demand. Nevertheless, these cards are a must for any collectors showcase.
Above is the 1987 Fleer Update and below is the 1987 Topps Traded rookie cards of Greg Maddux. The card makers wanted to include new rookies who broke through and traded players in that years card design so they made these cards later in the season as a secondary set available only through hobby channels. You could not pull this card from a pack bought at the local market. They are more rare than the first card I highlighted, but can still be purchased at very affordable prices. If you spend more than a couple of dollars, before shipping, on eBay then you spent too much.

Iconic Memorabilia: Koufax, Campy and the Brady Bunch

Everywhere I turn there are some great unusual Dodger items around.

Below is an original painting by Robert Stephen Simon of Sandy Koufax. It is titled "King of the Hill."

Auction Link:Koufax Painting:

Roy Campanella is one of the great Dodgers in franchise history. Below is a game used chest protector he wore during his time on the diamond.

A fabulous vintage relic from one of the greatest catchers to ever play the game, offered here is a MacGregor Goldsmith navy blue chest protector worn during Campy's tenure with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Personally gifted by Campy to famed talk show host Joe Franklin and his "Memory Lane" collection of memorabilia, Franklin states in the letter of provenance, "This fascinating memento of baseball history...has been a very important part of my Memory Lane Collection of Memorabilia since Roy himself "retired" it permanently to my Memory Lane Collection in 1975 following a personal appearance he made on the 'Joe Franklin Show'."

Auction Link: Campy Chest Protector:

I could not write about this auction without showing this gem. The vase below is an actual prop from one of my favorite television shows- The Brady Bunch. Years ago as a younger man I would come home from elementary school and be immediately enthralled by their family high-jinks. Now, I can relive my 70's fantasies by putting this nondescript vase along the stairway. Well, maybe not.

Auction Link: Brady Bunch Prop: