Rare Dodger Memorabilia at REA - Jackie's Ring, a 1955 WS Ring and a Really Old Dodger Uniform

Here is my third post featuring Dodger memorabilia available at REA's current auction.  The other day I featured original Topps artwork of Duke Snider and yesterday I shared a couple of oddball items.  Below are some Dodger rarities.

(Auction Link)

I don't quite know what to think about this first item.  The description states that it is a 1946 Montreal Royals International League Championship Ring and that it is attributed to Jackie Robinson.  On the other hand, it also says that they can't guarantee that it was actually issued by the Montreal Royals.  It does say, though, that the ring was a part of the famed Barry Halper Collection and that the chain of provenance leads directly to the Robinson family.

Regardless of the uncertainty surrounding the ring I still find it very cool.  It may represent a relic from Jackie's first year as a MLB pro.

(Auction Link)

This next ring is most certainly real.  Below is a 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Series Ring that had been issued to Dodger PR Director Red Patterson.   Per the auction description:

(Auction Link)

1955, of course, was the only season in which the familiar refrain of "Wait till Next Year," was never heard on the streets of Brooklyn following the World Series. In 1955 "next year' finally came, and the fact that the club's only World Championship while in Brooklyn came at the expense of their hated crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees, must have made the victory all the sweeter for the Flatbush faithful. Ironically, "Red" Patterson had close ties to both clubs. Patterson was the New York Yankees first public-relations director and the Brooklyn Dodgers last public-relations director. During his tenure with both clubs he was recognized as one of the game's most innovative marketing specialists and is credited with introducing many novel concepts which are now considered standard for all clubs, including Old Timers' Day games, team yearbooks, and concession stands. Patterson also invented the term "tape-measure home run" when he decided to measure the distance of Mantle's prodigious home run at Washington's Griffith Stadium on April 17, 1953, arriving at the figure of 565 feet. Unfortunately, it was Patterson, in his capacity as public-relations director, who had to make the official announcement in 1957 that the Dodgers were leaving Brooklyn, thereby breaking the collective heart of all of the Flatbush faithful.

(Auction Link)

Check out these old duds.  Here is a 1934 Brooklyn Dodgers Road Uniform; complete with a jersey attributed to utility infielder Jake Flowers, pants once belonging to Hall of Fame catcher Al Lopez and a pair of amazing vintage stirrup socks.  According to the auction it belonged to a former Dodger bullpen catcher who was given hand-me-downs to wear.

(Auction Link)

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Blog Kiosk: 10/9/2014 - Dodger Links - Should Ned Stay or Should He Go?

Above is a great vintage photo from the very last Dodger game at Ebbets Field in 1957, via @Dodgers_History on twitter.  You should give them a follow for more great photographs.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Ned Colletti reportedly on hot seat after early Dodgers demise."

With an early exit in the playoffs come the obvious questions for the Dodgers, namely who - if anyone - will take the fall for losing one round earlier than in 2013? With offseason meetings beginning this week, the answer seems to lean more toward general manager Ned Colletti than manager Don Mattingly.

In my own view, the makeup of the bullpen and Don's mistrust in it is the real culprit of this postseason loss, and that's purely the domain of Ned Colletti.  He built it, he paid for it and his over-reliance on ineffective veterans ultimately became our downfall.  If anyone goes to the chopping block it is likely to be him. 

• MLB reporter Ken Rosenthal was on Beast980 KFWB to talk about Colletti, as well.  Check that out here.

I know the Elbert move, in Game 3, was controversial and it should have been. He put a guy in a situation that he hadn’t been in before, but why did that happen? It happened becasue his options were so limited. Why did Kershaw not come out when he gave up a baserunner in the 7th [in Game 4]? Because there was no one that Mattingly could trust in the bullpen.

• Via Sports Illustrated, "Report: Dodger Stadium could be next home for NFL team in LA."
• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider writes about Jose Lime - LIMA TIME!  Today is the 10th anniversary of his 2004 NLDS shutout of the Cardinals. 
• Stay tuned!  Jon also tells us that the episode of 'Lab Rats' on DisneyXD guest staring Andre Ethier will air this coming Monday at 6:15 PM.  He also mentions that Don Newcombe's stepson is the co-creator and executive producer of the show.
• Dan Haren on twitter:

I miss you Baseball. I also hate you Baseball.
— dan haren (@ithrow88) October 8, 2014

• Via Joe Frisaro at MLB.com, "Lasorda receives Bob Feller Act of Valor Award."

The award, established in 2013, is being bestowed on three men who possess the values, integrity and dedication to serving the United States in a manner Feller displayed. Lasorda joins Indians first baseman Nick Swisher and Senior Chief Petty Officer Carl Thompson of the U.S. Navy.

• What a bunch of A-Holes!  Via David Brown at Big League Stew, the Yogi Berra Museum has been burglarized.  Hopefully a detailed list of stolen items will be made available soon, so that the greater collecting community can keep an eye out. 

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