Newbie here...thought I'd share an interesting item
 

I can't believe it took me this long to join the board. Lots of knowledge and interesting topics around here!

Anyway, my name is Chris and I live in Alberta, Canada. For the past 10 years, my primary collecting focus has been southpaw pitcher autographs 1900-present.

Recently though, I had a nice acquisition from an estate auction: a 1953 World Series program signed by almost the entire Brooklyn Dodgers team.

Unfortunately, it was at the hand of Charlie "The Brow" DiGiovanna, the most famous batboy in history.

As most of you know, 1953 was the golden anniversary of the World Series, so a number of 1903 alumni were also on hand to share in the festivities. As it turns out, the back of the program was also signed by some folks that may ring a bell:

Cy Young
Fred Clarke
Fred Parent
Tommy Leach
Bill Dinneen
Tommy Connolly

Young and Clarke are familiar to most, but Dinneen was a star pitcher in his own right, and was by most accounts the first World Series "MVP".

As for Connolly, he went on to become the first umpire inducted into the HOF (along with Bill Klem). In addition to working the first World Series, he also officiated the first game at Fenway Park, Shibe Park, Comiskey Park, and Yankee Stadium.

PSA/DNA letter forthcoming. Anyway, just thought I'd start off by sharing one of my better items.

http://www.freewebs.com/cjedmonton/front.jpg
http://www.freewebs.com/cjedmonton/back.jpg

Hey Chris, welcome to the board...and very cool item and story. The "Brow" has been a thorn in the side of many a Brooklyn Dodger fan, although it's almost just a part of the Brooklyn lore, which is kinda cool too. So, what made you start collecting only south paw pitchers?

The Otto Krueger is the rarest of the signatures on the back. Really nice 1903 reunion piece!

Chris,

Welcome aboard...absolutely beautiful item!

Thanks for the welcome, everyone! To be perfectly honest, I'm not really that disappointed that the front was the work of "The Brow". Like Mike said, it actually adds to the lore of Dem Bums. Of course, having a genuine Jackie, Campy, and Gil would've been great, but I can't argue with what I have into it.

As for southpaws, what can I say? I've always been interested in those crazy lefties. Very under appreciated in the annals of major league history, so I guess I just root for the underdog. It doesn't hurt that I'm a lefty as well!

I started off by just going after HOF southpaws (There are only 11 attainble ones, but as for Waddell and Plank? Not in this lifetime).

As time went on, I expanded the theme to include major award winners, 100 game winners, notable achievements, etc... I'm now up to about 140 different ones...mostly signed 8x10s, but I also have about two dozen cut autos affixed to an unsigned 8x10.

Other than the HOFers, my tougher ones include Jesse Tannehill, Frank "Noodles" Hahn, and George "Hooks" Wiltse. Still searching for Slim Sallee, Hub Leonard, Lefty Tyler, George Mogridge, etc...

Anyway, thanks again and I'll try to contribute more material in the future.

[QUOTE=cjedmonton;1004972]Thanks for the welcome, everyone! To be perfectly honest, I'm not really that disappointed that the front was the work of "The Brow". Like Mike said, it actually adds to the lore of Dem Bums. Of course, having a genuine Jackie, Campy, and Gil would've been great, but I can't argue with what I have into it.

As for southpaws, what can I say? I've always been interested in those crazy lefties. Very under appreciated in the annals of major league history, so I guess I just root for the underdog. It doesn't hurt that I'm a lefty as well!

I started off by going after just HOF southpaws (there are only 11 attainble ones, but as for Waddell and Plank? Not in this lifetime).

As time went on, I expanded the theme to include major award winners, 100 game winners, notable achievements, etc... I'm now up to about 140 different ones...mostly signed 8x10s, but I also have about two dozen cut autos affixed to an unsigned 8x10.

Other than the HOFers, my tougher ones include Jesse Tannehill, Frank "Noodles" Hahn, and George "Hooks" Wiltse. Still searching for Slim Sallee, Hub Leonard, Lefty Tyler, George Mogridge, etc...

Anyway, thanks again and I'll try to contribute more material in the future.[/QUOTE


Chris,
Welcome to net54! I would love to see your signatures of George "Hooks" Wiltse and Frank "Noodles" Hahn.

I hear you on some of your lefties that are MIA. I just picked up this George Mogridge last year. He definitely is a toughee. This photo was signed in 1924, when Mogridge was a member of the World Champion Washington Senators.
Also, here are a couple of "Noodles" sigs in my personal collection.

Enjoy!

Hi Scott,

I don't know what's more unbelievable...that Mogridge or the Hahn cheque/check. Simply amazing!

Mogridge shouldn't be that tough (d. 1962), but maybe he was ultra reclusive? I've only seen two Sallees, but of course, I have to go up against the deep pocketed 1919 WS collectors (which eliminates Lefty Williams as well, but Dickie Kerr can be had for a decent price every now and then).

Does Mogridge/Hahn fit into a certain theme for your collection? Does it even matter? haha Just gorgeous.

Here's my Hahn/Tannehill/Wiltse. Sorry, I don't have a larger resolution scan available at the moment.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...nton/hahn1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...tannehill1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...on/wiltse1.jpg

Thanks Chris! I collect autographs of all no-hit pitchers dating back to 1893. This is the year that they moved the mound distance to the current standard of 60' 6". Thanks for showing me Noodles, Jesse and Hooks.
Good luck with your collection!
Scott