More on Stengel's garage sale

Willis Reed's New York Knicks home jersey -- the one he wore when he came limping out onto the floor at Madison Square Garden in the 1970 NBA Finals for Game 6 and inspired a victory over the Lakers to clinch the title -- seems to be the real headliner for the Sotheby's and SCP Auctions sports memorabilia auction that'll take place Tuesday in New York. There's also Lou Gehrig's 1931 Yankees home jersey, a bunch of letters Jim Thorpe wrote to some woman who became his fiance in the summer of 1924, the cleats Ted Williams wore during his final home run in his last at bat in Sept. 1960. ... Stuff you and I have no chance of ever seeing, let alone affording, to add to our collection of Fernando Valenzuela bobbleheads or the squished pennys we got outside the Dodger Stadium store at the top of the park.
What'll be most intriguing to us, as we discussed in today's "Writing On (And Off) The Wall" column in the Daily News, are the things made available by the Casey Stengel estate.
On Stengel's official website -- yes, he has one, although since he died in 1975 and has been resting comfortably ever since at Forest Lawn not far from his home in Glendale -- has a couple of stories relating to this auction and what's being made available. Frank Ceresi of SCP Auctions does a nice job laying it all out, there's a list of things up for sale at the SCP Auctions site (type in "Stengel" in the search engine and you'll see the 40-odd listed lots), and, in particular, a chance to look at the photo of the 150 cancelled checks that we made mention of in today's story, as well as pictures of many other items.
“As the only person to have worn the uniform, as player or manager, of all four major league baseball teams that played in New York City in the 20th century, Casey’Stengel is a true New York baseball legend," said David Kohler, the President/CEO of Mission Viejo-based SCP Auctions. "Casey’s true legacy comes from his tenure as manager of the New York Yankees during which he led his squad to an unprecedented five consecutive World Series titles a feat unrivaled in baseball history.
“Among the marquee items being offered as part of the Stengel Estate are Casey’s 1951 World Series Ring, won during his only season as manager for both Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle; his 1969 Mets Championship Ring, bestowed upon him by the Mets for his services as the teams vice president; and his Hall of Fame Plaque, received by Casey upon his induction in 1966. The estate collection also includes team signed baseballs, photos, scrapbooks, contracts, World Series bats, caps and cleats, programs, press pins and more.”
Estate sales are kinda tough to look at, in some regards. These are things hopefully the family is OK with giving up after having a chance to look at everything a legend like Stengel left behind. This isn't anything to help pay outstanding debts, we all hope. But a way to share a piece of baseball history.
As for Stengel's long connection to Glendale, you can still see it in many places throughout the community.
Stengel Ballfield (1601 Canada Blvd.) was opened in 1948, but renamed in Casey's honor in 1952.
Glendale Community College plays its home games at 1,500-seat Stengel Field (1601 Canada Blvd.), across the street from the campus. (Crescenta Valley High also plays its home games near its campus on what's called Stengel Field).
"I feel greatly honored to have a ballpark named after me, especially since I've been thrown out of so many," Stengel is quoted to have said once.
The Bob's Big Boy restaurant chain started in Glendale in 1936 by Bob Wian, who became close friends with Stengel and was part of the board of Glendale Federal Savings.
If you search hard enough, you'll probably find a piece of Stengel on many a corner throughout Glendale.
"There comes a time in every man’s life and I’ve had plenty of them," Stengel also once.
We'll leave it at that.