I just can't get enough of the artwork of Willard Mullin. As you may know, he popularized the Dodger "Bum" mascot though his cartoons in local newspapers and magazines in the 40's and 50's. Featured above is an original Mullin sketch of the "Bum", and he's smoking a big stogie with the phrase "Champs" emitting from it. Check out the auction here. It originally comes from the Sal Larocca collection.
The Dodgers made many trips to Japan as part of a goodwill tour. It gave the team an opportunity to vacation to far off lands and the management a chance to do a little bit of scouting. Featured above is one of the gift that was created to give out to the Dodger players. It is a kimono, and it was suppose to be given to Sandy Koufax as a part of their 1966 jaunt - Koufax's name is written in Japanese text on the collar. Unfortunately, Sandy didn't make it to Japan that year. He had just played his last season of professional Baseball, and likely decided to spend his winter retirement at home. Check out the auction here.
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Do you know who was the original LA Dodgers Public Address Announcer?
His name was John Ramsey, and he worked the microphone for just about every professional sports franchise in the LA area. He worked for the Dodgers when they came to town in 1958, the Lakers when they came from Minneapolis in 1960, the Angels from their inception in 1961, and the LA Kings when they began in 1967. Ramsey also announced for the LA Rams, Raiders and USC's football and basketball clubs.
No doubt he was an integral part of the LA sports experience, so it shouldn't be a huge surprise that he too would receive a championship ring when these clubs took home the top prize. Featured above is his 1963 LA Dodgers World Championship ring. Check out the auction here.
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