Brooklyn Fans- Help

[Archive]

Posted By: Mark Steinberg

I picked up a nifty 2-sided Brooklyn Dodgers Pennant a few weeks ago. The front says "Brooklyn" in the familiar Dodger team script. The back says something in Italian, and appears to be dated November 14, 1953.

It really appears high quality, with all graphics skillfully embroidered (rather than painted or screened on). It was sold to me as a 1953 Tour of Italy Pennant. The seller claimed that these were made for the Dodgers' players who were touring Italy at the time.

Can anyone verify the existence of this 1953 Tour? I googled it, and could find nothing pertaining to this. If there was a Dodgers "Tour of Italy", can anyone provide brief details? Pics are attached below... thanks!

[Archive]

Posted By: Mike H

I'm not a Dodger expert, but wanted to comment on the piece. It is very unusual and beautiful. Needless to say, it is extremely scarce and I have never seen or heard of another example. Congratulations Mark!

[Archive]

Posted By: Mark Steinberg

Thanks Mike...

I had never seen this one before either. The silk embroidery is very attractive... I just wish I could link this thing to a specific event (or find some info about the Dodgers' 1953 Tour of Italy) Thanks!

[Archive]

Posted By: Jim VB

Mark,

From what I've read, it doesn't look like they did any international touring back then, although they were talking about it.

http://walteromalley.com/hist_intl_index.php?lang=eng

On page 2 there is a section on O'Malley proposing an international tour after the 1952 season (I suppose this could have been in early 1953), but it did not happen. Looks like their first international tour was Japan in 1956.

I would have thought this might have been a pennant made by Italian fans in NYC, but that's just a guess. It's a neat item, no matter what.

[Archive]

Posted By: Mark Steinberg

Thanks, Jim, for putting in the time and effort to research this... much appreciated!

Now, if only I can find someone to translate the back side of this thing.... I know they had a large contingent of Italian fans in New York. Anyone out there speak Italian??

[Archive]

Posted By: Jim VB

No Italian, but my High School Latin tells me it says "To our great masters of Brooklyn."

[Archive]

Posted By: Dan Bretta

Mark, it says "To our great masters of Brooklyn"

[Archive]

Posted By: Mark Steinberg

Thanks so much, Jim and Dan... that is very cool! Still doesn't really explain the occasion or event, but it appears to be a nice tribute none-the-less. I appreciate your help with this!

[Archive]

Posted By: Jim VB

The 1953 World Series ended on Oct. 5, 1953, so this pennant is dated only 5-6 weeks after (11-14-53) so, a tribute of some kind? Brooklyn had a pretty good size Italian population then, so maybe some old country relatives were fans? I have no real idea.

Edited to add- The Dodgers went 105-49 that year but lost the World Series to the Yankees 4 games to 2. (I'm not sure, but I don't think A-Rod had any hits in that series either.)

[Archive]

Posted By: Dan Bretta

There was Roy Campanella, Carl Furillo, Bill Antonello and how many more Italian Americans on that 1953 Brooklyn team? Probably more than a few admirers in Torino, Italy.

[Archive]

Posted By: Max Weder

The pennant is outstanding.

It is likely not an hommage to the immortal Joe Demaestri http://www.baseball-reference.com/d/demaejo01.shtml who never had the fortune to play for Brooklyn

[Archive]

Posted By: dennis

i would think masters could be translated to champions. torino = turin

[Archive]

Posted By: Jim VB

The meaning is the same but the I think the literal translation of "champions" would be "campioni."

[Archive]

Posted By: Bob Pomilla

Could it have been made in Turin, in anticipation of a Dodger tour that never materialized?

[Archive]

Posted By: Bob Pomilla

If I read this right, it looks like the Dodgers referred to on the pennant, may have been a local team from Turin.

http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:fIvzDerayYcJ:www.iht.com/articles/2003/09/13/edold_ed3__32.php+dodgers+turin&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=safari>

[Archive]

Posted By: Mark Steinberg

Thanks Bob... that is fascinating.

This Turin, Italy Dodgers Team explanation would certainly make the most sense. But the back side of the pennant translates to "To our great Masters of Brooklyn". I wonder why they would honor the Brooklyn Team, and the significance of the date?? Maybe they looked up to them as some sort of "parent" team, or perhaps just as an inspiration. Thanks again for researching!

[Archive]

Posted By: Bob Pomilla

Yeah, obviously not a reference to the Turin team, but possibly a tribute to the Brooklyn Dodgers, as their inspiration, from the Turin team. Sorry for the brainlock.