December Pickups

[Scott Garner]

OK, I'm jumping the gun a bit, but it's the last day in November & I thought I would kick off the December thread.
This post could be either on the memorabilia or autograph side, so I made a corporate decision to put it over here.
I recently picked up a neat 1967 signed piece that I think is pretty cool.

Two avid baseball fans decided to catch several baseball games in NY and Pittsburgh on a road trip during the week of July 4th.
Four games in 5 days- sounds like fun!
They started off the trip in NY and were fortunate enough to catch HOF'er Tom Seaver in his rookie season, who pitched on Monday, July 3rd and got his 7th career win.
"Tom Terrific" went on to win the 1967 Rookie of the Year Award.

While visiting NYC to attend this game, the fans both apparently stayed at The Hotel Manhattan.
As luck would have it, they must have run into both HOF Sandy Koufax and baseball broadcaster Bob Murphy at the hotel, because they managed to have both of them sign their hotel luggage tag.
Their baseball tickets and signed Hotel Manhattan luggage tag help tell an interesting story, a mini time capsule of sorts...

In 1967, Sandy Koufax signed a 10-year contract with NBC for US$1 million ($7,300,000 today) to be a broadcaster on the Saturday Game of the Week (source: Wikipedia).
NBC's headquarters is NYC, not far from Hotel Manhattan, and it's very possible that Koufax was in town discussing or signing this contract.

Covering this Mets game was Bob Murphy, the main broadcasting voice of the Mets beginning in 1962, their inaugural season. Bob Murphy had an outstanding broadcasting career that spanned over 50 years with the Mets and was a recipient of the prestigious Ford C. Frick Award in 1994 by the Hall of Fame. He also was inducted into the Mets HOF in 1984.

[seattlebaseball]

Great find and great story, Scott. Thanks for sharing!

Charles

[WillowGrove]

Love it Scott.

[Lordstan]

Great start to December Scott.
One question though.
Is that Bob Murphy a different Bob Murphy than the one who was a Mets announcer from 1962 until 2003?
I thought Mel Allen did This Week in Baseball.

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[Scott Garner]

Hi Mark,
Thanks for correcting me. Bob Murphy, was in fact the Voice of the Mets, & I changed my description in the post.

[Lordstan]

Sure. I just wanted to make sure, as i did not know if there were two Bob Murphys.

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[rlevy]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

[b]In 1967, Sandy Koufax signed a 10-year contract with NBC for US$1 million ($7,300,000 today) to be a broadcaster on the Saturday Game of the Week.
NBC's headquarters is NYC, not far from Hotel Manhattan, and it's very possible that Koufax was in town discussing or signing this contract.

Scott, great piece and signature, I'm jealous. I know that Koufax signed the NBC contract in December 1966 because I have the contract, which is dated "as of December 15", and was announced on December 29, 1966. It actually is a personal services contract, more than just the Game of the Week, which may explain his being in NY then. The quoted $100,000/year is based upon Koufax doing a lot of appearances and developing different programs, most of which never happened as Koufax wasn't comfortable in front of the camera.

Rick

[TUM301]

Being a Joe Jackson fan always on the lookout for his or Black Sox related items. Was able to acquire the enclosed Jackson photo via trade and quite happy it came back as an original/type 1 item from PSA. With the back stamp placing it as Sept. 29`th 1920 I think it was taken during Joe`s initial grand jury testimony were he actually admitted getting 5 K from gambler`s representatives. Also, have to thank fellow 54`ers "Forever young" and Black Betsy, Ben and Mike, for their extremely valuable input. Their help made me a more knowledgeable/confident negotiator and reminds me why I enjoy the forum so much. Keep the pieces coming guys, never get tired of seeing and reading about the board`s newest acquisitions. Hang tough......Murph

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/25/3c...9deeaede67.jpg

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by rlevy

Scott, great piece and signature, I'm jealous. I know that Koufax signed the NBC contract in December 1966 because I have the contract, which is dated "as of December 15", and was announced on December 29, 1966. It actually is a personal services contract, more than just the Game of the Week, which may explain his being in NY then. The quoted $100,000/year is based upon Koufax doing a lot of appearances and developing different programs, most of which never happened as Koufax wasn't comfortable in front of the camera.

Rick

Thanks Rick & I appreciate the specific additional information about the nature of his 1967 contract with NBC. BTW, the contract info that I included in my post came directly from Wikipedia, but I obviously I trust your knowledge of the subject much more since Koufax is your major collecting focus.
I spent some time on the internet early this morning digging into Koufax's broadcasting career.

When I read Wikipedia's info on this topic it was obvious to me that Koufax was not in town to do a Saturday Game of the Week broadcast since the date that the luggage ticket was signed seemed to align with the game played on Monday, July 3rd.

This had me ponder why Koufax would be in NYC & I believe that you helped answer that for me. Possibly a personal appearance...
I'm wondering if perhaps Koufax and Bob Murphy got together at the hotel to discuss his new career in broadcasting?
From all that I've read, Murphy was a highly regarded, popular broadcaster.
Perhaps Sandy was looking to gain some broadcasting advice from Bob Murphy. I guess we will never know, but it's still cool to consider, nevertheless...

[pherbener]

Great stuff Scott! Love the J.J. Murph! I just got this Horner Mathewson for my Matty collection. Used for the 1912 Philly Mfg. Base Ball Game (not mine) It's small but I love the image.