Dear Babe: My name is Ben and I am 11. I have a 1953 Topps card of John Podres (No. 263) on the Brooklyn Dodgers. -- Ben L., Nashua, N.H.
It's always nice to hear from younger readers. You've got yourself a valuable card. That's Podres' rookie card.
Of course, Podres will always hold a special place in Dodgers history. He went 20-11 in his first two years pitching in Brooklyn, but slumped to 9-10 in 1955.
The Dodgers had never beaten their cross-town rivals -- the Yankees -- in five previous World Series meetings when they squared off again in 1955.
Podres changed all that. The Dodgers were down 2-0 when they returned to Brooklyn for game three. Podres tossed a complete game in the 8-3 win.
The teams battled to a Game 7 in Yankee Stadium.
Podres saved his best for last, tossing a 2-0 shutout to give the Dodgers their first-ever World Series win.
It turned out to be a bittersweet moment. Two years later, at the end of the 1957 season, owner Walter O'Malley took the team to Los Angeles.
The Dodgers rewarded their new fans with a World Series title in 1959 -- just their second season in L.A.
The Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards from the editors of Sports Collectors Digest and www.beckett.com put a top value of $300 on the card. Sports Market Report Online at www.psacard.com says that a PSA 7 NM lists for $450, while a PSA 9 Mint card is valued at $5,650.
Dear Babe: I have a 1960s Los Angeles Dodgers Weirdo (screwball) Bobbing Head. It's in good condition with the exception of a small chip on the bill and the baseball is missing the screw, which came with this bobblehead. I've heard that this bobblehead is very rare due to the fact that not many were manufactured. I can't seem to find very much information on this doll. -- Doug Cantine, Riverside, Calif.
When it comes to Dodgers Weirdo Bobbing Heads from the 1960s, there are a couple of varieties -- one of which books at $5,500 in the "Bobbing Head Field Guide."
"Although this is a Dodgers Weirdo, it's not the one worth $5,500," said Lou Criscione of www.insidetheparkcollectibles.com and author of the field guide, which specializes in vintage bobblehead dolls. "This one is commonly referred to as 'Screwball,' as he does hold a ball with a small screw in it. It is one of the more common of the Weirdo series -- but still commands a nice price. In excellent to near-mint condition, it generally sells in the $500-$600 range. The one that is valued at $5,000 and up is the Weirdo carrying a bathing beauty. We have seen only two in more than 25 years in the hobby."
Dear Babe: At the end of the 1940 baseball season, a group of major league all-stars played exhibition games against Pacific Coast League all-stars. I was 13 when they played at the old Los Angeles Angels Stadium. I have an original program/scorecard signed in pencil by some of the big league stars, including Joe DiMaggio, John Beradino, Cliff Dapper, Bob Simon and Babe Herman. -- Steven Vance, Murrieta, Calif.
More than likely the value is going to be in DiMaggio's signature, especially if it can be isolated as a "cut." (A signature that can be cut out and applied to another card or item.) The signed program is probably worth around $150-$200, said Mike Gutierrez, consignment director for Heritage Auctions (www.ha.com).
(Babe Waxpak is written by Bill Wagner. If you have a question for Babe Waxpak, include your full name and hometown, the card number, year and manufacturer or send a photocopy. Please do not send cards. The address is: Babe Waxpak, Box 492397, Redding CA 96049-2397 or email babewaxpak@charter.net.)
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