The 1951 version of the Dodgers brain trust is all set up and ready to go for spring training, as evidenced in the vintage press photograph above.
Check out the eBay auction here. Per the caption attached to the reverse:
Coaches and Dressen Confer at Dodger Camp; Vero Beach, Florida.... Charles "Chuck" Dressen, new manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers holds a conference with three of his coaching staff at the Brooks Spring Training Camp. Left to right are: Dressen; Clyde Sukeforth; Jake Pitler and Cookie Lavagetto.
The photo was originally taken by Herb Scharfman for International News; dated 2/21/1951. As you may know, Scharfman would join Sports Illustrated and is famous for a photo in which he appeared - he is the man seen in the background (between the legs of Muhammad Ali) as Ali stands over a knocked out Sonny Listen.
Below are some links to check out:
- Alex Markle at Chavez Ravining put together his list of, "Top 10 Matt Kemp Cards."
- ICYMI, there have been rumblings over the weekend that the Orioles, "have engaged in trade talks with the Dodgers regarding Andre Ethier," via Roch Kubatko at MASN Sports. Baltimore appears to have many options, so I wouldn't expect anything to be imminent. At this point, nothing would surprise me, though. The Dodgers have not been shy about wanting to deal Ethier and they are probably willing to make a deal.
- Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Acclaimed scout Brito not slowing down at 80."
- Via Lyle Spencer at MLB.com, "Wills' impact on game is Hall of Fame worthy."
- Via Anthony DiComo at MLB.com, "Proud of numbers, Piazza awaits Hall's call."
"I can only say that there's been a lot of great players throughout
history that have had to wait their turn," Piazza said during a phone
interview to promote a shaving system, for which he recently filmed a
television commercial in upstate New York. "Joe DiMaggio had three
ballots. Yogi Berra had three ballots. And that's part of the process.
For me, it's not really my place, I feel, to start campaigning. I can
only say that I'm proud of my work and I'm proud of my career. I'll put
my numbers against a lot of players in history, and I feel that's all I
can do."
It was that year when a Dodger had arguably the greatest offensive
season in franchise history. Floyd Herman, better known as “Babe”
Herman, had a monumental campaign for the Brooklyn Robins, one that is
statistically jaw dropping.
Herman ranked in the National League
top five in 12 different offensive categories. His .393 batting average
is 12 points better than any other in franchise history. (Herman hit
.381 in 1929.) Herman finished second in the NL batting race to Bill
Terry, who hit .401 that season.
The segment was taped on Roadshow’s first trip to New York City in 13
years. It reveals the largest sports memorabilia find in the 19-year
history of the series: an archive of rare Mort Rogers Scorecards with a
handwritten letter from the 1871-1872 Boston Red Stockings.
