Card of the Week: Nolan Ryan's Routine

Now that Upper Deck is out of the picture, Topps decides to copy one of the best cards they have ever made. See it here. Above is a short printed variation in the 2010 Topps Series 2 set that came out recently which features Nolan Ryan warming up his arm with a football. According to published reports only 3,000 cards were made.

Vintage Dodger Snapshots: Sherry Brothers

Not only is it rare for two brothers to make it into the show, but to have a chance to play on the same team is just incredible. Larry and big brother Norm Sherry both played for the Blue Crew in the late 50's to the early 60's. Here are some fan taken photo snapshots of the two.

Larry Sherry

(eBay Auction Link)

(eBay Auction Link)

Norm Sherry

(eBay Auction Link)

(eBay Auction Link)

SCP Auctions: Clyde King Says it All

Clyde King spent 6 season with the Brooklyn Dodgers during a very important time in Baseball history. In 1947, when Clyde came back to the team after a short stint back in the minors, Jackie Robinson joined the squad and forever changed the game. Clyde King was there to witness it all. The below baseball has been signed and was written on by Clyde in tribute to Jackie and his accomplishment that year. It is current available for auction through SCP.

Click any of the pics to enlarge for easier reading.

(SCP Auction Link)

T206 Brooklyn Dodgers: John Hummel

"Silent John" Hummel was known as the "prince of utility players" for the Brooklyn Superbas from 1905 to 1915. He played numerous games at first base, second base, short stop and the outfield in a career that spanned 12 Major League seasons.

Instead of writing an account of his career I will instead direct you to writeup by Tom Simon at the SABR Biography Project. It is excellent. Below is an excerpt:

"My first day on the field with Wilmington, I kicked on a decision and [teammate] Bill Everson, the old pitcher, called me 'Rowdy John,'" Hummel recalled. "The newspapers took it up and I made up my mind right then that I'd never kick again. When the papers and the players saw I was quiet, Everson called me 'Honest John' and then finally 'Silent John,' which has stuck to me ever since." The "Honest John" appellation, according to the Brooklyn Eagle, came because Hummel "was always striving to win, even when the lead of the opposing team was great enough to bury the hopes of the ordinary player." John had yet another nickname, "Colonel Pinch," which he thought came "maybe from the fact that I was lucky enough to come up with a hit in the pinches," but "Silent John" was by far the most popular of his various nicknames.

Here is another great excerpt:

In his later years he disdained the livelier ball. "In the good old days we played heart and soul for one run, whereas now they play for 10 or 12," he said.