Daily Conlon: #172 Hans Lobert - The Horse Just Did Beat Me In

Here is today's Daily Conlon card #172 of Hans Lobert as he speaks about how "The Horse Just Did Beat Me In."

This is a great story... especially when you consider the Daily Conlon card from just a few days ago about how great a manager John McGraw was. Check this out.

"The mayor (McGraw) asked me if I would race a horse around the bases that afternoon."

"'Lord,' I said, 'I'm not here to run horses around the bases. I'm here to play baseball.'"

"But he wouldn't take no for an answer, and McGraw finally talked me into agreeing to it."

Bill Klem was to be the referee and we were ready to go. A pistol started us , and off we went. I led at first base by at least five feet, and by the second base I had picked up and was a t least ten feet ahead. I was in perfect stride, hitting each bag with my right foot and going faster all the time. But instead of the horse keeping his distance, he crowded me between second and third and I had to dodger to avoid being knocked down. I broke stride, and that was the end. I was still in front as we rounded third, but not by much ad on the home stretch the horse just did beat me in. I still think I would have won if I hadn't been practically bowled over at shortstop.

"Bill Klem said the horse won by a nose."

John McGraw was the master. Can you imagine a manager today convincing a player to do such a thing?

Hunt Auctions: Tootsie's Dodger Collection

Within the confines of old Ebbets Field it wasn't unusual for the fans to build a close relationship with the ballplayers. Sometimes, they new them by name, like Hilda Chester, or heard them from the stands, like the Sym-Phony Band. Other times, a fan becomes so trusted they end up being your child's babysitter. That's what happened to young teenager Margaret Chandler.

Margaret was a born and raised Brooklynite who ventured to games during the golden era of Brooklyn Baseball. She would travel via the subway and would be sure to miss the trolleys as they passed. Eventually, she became a trusted babysitter for Dodger first baseman Ed Stevens and even earned a nickname from the team. Margaret was better known as "Tootsie" due to her Tootsie Pops gifts to players after home games.

What a charmed life she lived as a child as her connection to the team led to a treasure trove of goodies. At the recently completed All-Star Game in Phoenix, Hunt Auctions held their annual live auction at the All-Star FanFest that featured a small lot of memorabilia items from Ms. Chandlers collection. Below are just a couple of things that really stood out to me.

Here is a group of vintage Dodger snapshots taken by Tootsie. Many are autographed. There were 88 photos in the lot and I'd love to see the rest of them. It sold for $500.00.

(Auction Link)

This is definitely the prize of Margaret's collection. Here is a 1947 rookie year game used bat from Jackie Robinson. Along with the bat was a team signed get well card from the Dodgers to Tootsie. It sold for $85,000.00.

(Auction Link)