An Walter Alston Editorial Cartoon Find on eBay

I was perusing through eBay this past weekend, as I am wont to do, and came across an original sports editorial cartoon featuring longtime Dodger manager Walter Alston.  Check it out above.  See the auction here.

Likely draw in the early part of 1973, the cartoon points out how difficult it is to manage one club for a long period of time, and tips an Uncle Sam cap to Alston for his ability to do it for 20 consecutive seasons at that time.  As you know, Walter Alston would stay at the helm of the Dodger ship for 23 consecutive seasons before retiring; starting from 1954 to 1976.  Amazingly, he never signed a multi-year contract.  Instead, he signed 23 one-year contracts with the Dodgers.  Vin Scully had this to say about him:

"I always imagined him to be the type who could ride shotgun on a stage through Indian territory. He was all man and two yards tall. He was very quiet, very controlled. He never made excuses. He gave the players the credit and he took the blame. He was so solid, so American."

The artist is Alan Maver and he began his career in the early 40's as an assistant to former Olympian Feg Murray.  Murray won a bronze medal in the 110 meter hurdles during the 1920 Summer Games and went on to become a sports cartoonist and columnist at the LA Times.  Maver would soon become a prolific syndicated cartoonist - seeing his work in newspapers throughout the country.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *