The Duke Snider 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet

Here is another post featuring the 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet set.  Go here to see my past post showcasing this set; including complete scans of both the Vin Scully/Jerry Doggett and Sandy Koufax booklets.  This time I share the Duke Snider Booklet.

Snider was a Southern California born and raised kid who went on to great heights for the Dodgers.  He was one of three famed centerfielders to play in New York, and was eventually elected into the Hall of Fame on his 11th try in 1980.

I've always wondered how he got the name Duke.  The booklet provides an answer.

He got the name from his father, Ward, who has had much to do with Snider's baseball development.  The boy was "His Majesty, the Duke" then, which has proved just as well, since he doesn't like either "Edwin" or "Donald."

I also learned that he once hurt his arm trying to throw a ball out of the Coliseum.  

BTW, you should check out Mark Langill's story from this morning at the Dodger Insider.  He shares a closely held secret of Snider's from the 1962 season.  Check it out here.

Below are complete scans of every page from Duke Snider's 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet.  Click any pic to embiggen. 

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An Andre Ethier Autographed Gypsy Queen

I thought I would share my most recent Baseball card acquisition.  Check out my 2014 Gypsy Queen autographed card of Andre Ethier.  This is my very first Gypsy Queen autographed card.  With Topps having just recently released their 2014 Gypsy Queen brand, I thought this purchase was very apt.

Andre Ethier originally came to us in a trade that sent Milton Bradley to Oakland, and has been consistently good in his 8+ years since.  Against right-handers he is better than a .300 hitter.  Unfortunately, left-handers are his kryptonite.  He hits just .235 against them.

I suspect that sooner or later the Dodgers will find a need to pare one of their outfielders, and I wouldn't be surprised if it's Andre.  He likely holds the most value to other teams (especially a club like Boston), and might fetch some interesting players. 

UPDATE:  Wow!  I just realized that it's Ethier's Birthday today!  Happy B-Day big guy!

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Dodgers Memorabilia at REA Auctions - The Vintage Photographs

I just can't get enough of REA's Spring Baseball Auction.  It's like they have a museum for sale.  So far, I've highlighted historic Dodger memorabilia, painted Baseballs, vintage game-used equipment.  Now, I focus on some great old photographs.  Go here to take a look at my past post on this auction.

For those of you have never seen a photo of this former Dodger owner.  Take a gander at the below cabinet photo of Charles Ebbets.  It has even been signed by him.

(Auction Link)

Below are a couple fantastic vintage press photos featuring Jackie Robinson.  The top photo has Jackie showing off his bat to an unknown person.  The lower photograph captures the famous moment when Phillies skipper Ben Chapman posed with Jackie in 1947.  From the auction description.

This is a famous photo and one that Chapman was "forced" to take by team officials. Chapman, who was a southerner, was one of Robinson's most vocal detractors in 1947. In an effort to deflect the negative press his vitriolic bench jockeying was bringing to both the Phillies and the city of Philadelphia, Chapman was ordered to pose with Robinson before a game in Philadelphia to help mitigate the situation. As one can see here, Chapman does not appear to be happy with the assignment.

(Auction Link)

This next photo is of the most famous Baseball fan to ever exist.  Say hello to Hilda Chester.

(Auction Link)

I absolutely love this collection of fan-taken snapshot photos of the "Boys of Summer".  They date from 1948 to 1951, and feature three signed photos: Roy Campanella, Duke Snider, and Carl Erskine.  Overall, there are 35 different snapshots available in this one auction.  Do you recognize them all?

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Blog Kiosk: 4/10/2014 - Dodger Links - Baseball at the Reagan Presidential Library, Kenley Jansen and Chris Withrow

Nomar and the Minions.  Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  See more of Jon's photos from yesterday here.

• I thought I would let you all know that, right now, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is an exhibit of Baseball memorabilia from the Gary Cypress Collection (he owns the Sports Museum of LA).  I hear it's fantastic and worth a trip.  Go here for more information.
• Grant Bisbee at SB Nation writes, "Miguel Cabrera, Kenley Jansen, and the best at-bat of 2014 so far."  He does a pitch by pitch analysis.
• Unfortunately, Jansen has been far from great this year.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Kenley Jansen struggles, Dodgers not worried."

"It's tough, man. He's a tough hitter and kept battling. I feel like I executed, and one pitch I go in there and he took me deep. He kept fouling me off away and I tried to go in there to back him off," Jansen explained. "Nothing I can do about it. It's a tough series, but I can't worry about this. I just have to go now to Arizona and get it back together."

• Former darling of the chattering class, Seth Rosin, has been DFA'd by the Rangers, via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors.
• Left Field Pavilion's graphic about our new mascot, non-mascot guy is hilarious.  Check it out here.
• Via Earl Bloom at MLB.com, "Withrow won't be under the radar for long."

"He can and will be a closer once he matures as a Major League pitcher," said bullpen coach Chuck Crim, who was Withrow's pitching coach for his last two years in Double-A. "No question his stuff plays."

• Peter Jensen Brown at the Early Sports and Pop Culture History Blog wrote about the etymology of the name Trolley Dodgers, here.
• Larry Pauley at Sports Collectors Daily writes about a little known mini-pennant set - the 1950 American Nut and Chocolate Co. Pennants.  I love mini pennants and especially love these.
• Topps just released an 1988 Dodgers World Series Championship Archives Collection items at its store.  Check it out here.  It includes a large 11"x14" sized photo Baseball cards, pins, patches and a bunch of other stuff.  Below are some some pics and a video box opening from Topps.
  
  

Video Link:

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