1949 Japanese Baseball Cards

Just saw this photo, posted on Dull Tool Dim Bulb, of a set of 1949 Japanese baseball cards.  Not much information in the post, and I certainly cannot read Japanese, but some interesting observations are possible.  The first and most obvious item:  the cards are not photographs, but artistic renderings of the players, almost in a comic book style.  I cannot be certain if these were meant to represent specific, individual players, or just generic players for the team indicated.  The fact that the team names are in English (Giants, Tigers, Tokyo) is also interesting. 

The Race Of Gentlemen

I've been meaning to post something about The Race of Gentlemen for some time, and I finally got around to it.  TROG is a live action tribute to the hot rodders of the late 1940's, featuring races on the beach in period correct cars and motorcycles.  It has become a popular event in the auto enthusiast crowd, popping up in Hemmings Motor News, Chasing Classic Cars and Fast & Loud.  From the TROG website:

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, CHILDREN OF ALL AGES…

Join us to experience the greatest race on earth! The Race of Gentlemen is an automotive carnival that celebrates American racing heritage. A true homage to automobile and motorcycle history, hosted by the Oilers CC/MC. Spectators and racers alike will experience a simplier time of when guys were gentlemen and cars were king! Stultz & Green Productions will exhibit their hand-selected group of gentlemen, who will showcase their pre-war machines at the water’s edge on the beach of Wildwood, New Jersey. Commonly referred to as TROG for short, the carefully curated event will give you a history lesson and an unforgettable weekend, all rolled into one.

Race fans, hold onto your seats while vintage motorcycles and automobiles battle it out on the shore against the rising tides for your viewing pleasure. Indian, Harley Davidson, Excelcior, Ford, Dodge Brothers and more! An extraordinary display of why America’s love for vintage automotive will never fade. Do not miss your chance to see these fine men flog their jaw dropping machines on the sand, just like in days gone by. Come one, come all to watch in awe as they roar at the shore!

They are series about being period correct.  Competition cars must have a body that is 1934 or older, and American made.  The engine must be 1948 or older, and run only on gas (no alcohol or nitro).  Transmissions can be up to 1953, but modern disc brakes, alternators, etc.  One of these days, I hope to visit one of these events, and in my wildest dreams, build and race a car there.

Satchel Page & A Packard

Here is the great, and dapperly dressed, pitcher Satchel Paige relaxing with a smoke on the bumper of a 1940 Packard, posted on Rivet Head. 

1937 Chicago Cubs Game Home Movie

Boing Boing recently posted this home movie of a 1937 Chicago Cubs baseball game.  There are some pretty good shots of batters at home plate, along with a lot of fedora-wearing, cigar-smoking gents.