Lelands Auctions: Some Dodger Goodies

With the hoopla surrounding the LA Kings run for the Stanley Cup in full bloom I found myself procrastinating a bit when it came to Dodgers related auctions.  I plan on rectifying that soon.

Right now, Lelands is running their 2012 Spring auction that features a bunch of Dodgers memorabilia.  I've highlighted some notable items below, but have held back Dodgers collectibles from the Sal LaRocca Collection.  I'll feature those items in a future post.

I never thought a dinner program could be so cool.  This is a 1889 Brooklyn Bridegrooms dinner program that celebrates the teams championship pennant win in the American Association.  This was the soon-to-called Dodgers last year in that league (they would join the National League in 1890), and marks the beginning of a rivalry that would continue to this day.  After their pennant win they faced off against the New York Giants in a 9 game exhibition series - since dubbed the World Series.  Unfortunately, they would lose 6 of those games.

(Lelands Auction Link)

This is a 1954 program for a barnstorming exhibition game between Roy Campanella's All-Stars and the Negro American League Stars. 

(Lelands Auction Link)

This is a children's game that had Sandy Koufax as their pitchman. 

"Strike-out with Sandy Koufax" contains two Styrofoam balls and a plastic board with pegs. The object was to throw the balls and get them to stick in the highest scoring areas.

It has also been signed by Koufax, and was once a part of the Barry Halper Collection.

(Lelands Auction Link)

Jim Gilliam still holds a special place in the hearts of Dodgers fans.  This long time Dodger was a coach for the team during the 1978 Pennant winning drive.  Then, a nightmare happened.  Gilliam suffered from brain hemorrhage that took his life on September 15th- just a day after the Dodgers clinched the pennant.  Two days later, the Dodgers retired his number to honor him.  To this day, he remains the only Dodger who is not a Hall of Famer to have their number retired by the team.

Below is a Dodgers ring that was given by the team to former Dodger players as a 25th LA Dodgers Anniversary gift. 

Posthumously awarded to one-time Negro League star James Gilliam, this small-sized ring was presented to his wife in his honor.

(Lelands Auction Link)

(Lelands Auction Link)