Original fan photos of Johnny Vander Meer's 2nd consec no-hitter- 1st night game NY

[Scott Garner]

I just recently acquired 4 very rare original B/W fan photos from Johnny Vander's historic 2nd consecutive no-hitter which was also the first night game at Ebbet's Field on June 15, 1938. All photos were shot with a 35mm camera and are 4' x 6" in size.

As background, very few photos exist to this game. To find four that were shot from a fan's perspective is exceedingly rare. The lucky fan that attended this game sat directly behind the Brooklyn Dodgers dugout.

The photos feature:
1) Brooklyn Dodgers players out on the field to watch the Drum and Bugle Corp celebration event that immediately preceded the game. Olympic hero Jesse Owens was the honored guest in celebration of the 1st night game ever at Ebbet's Field. BTW, does anyone recognize any of the Dodgers players in the foreground?

2) The postgame celebration following the last pitch of Vandy's no-hitter. Fans stormed the field and what you see is Vander Meer surrounded by crazed fans as he literally had to be escorted off the field.

Although the hometown Dodgers were Vandy's victims that night, he was very much considered a local hero having grown up not far away in Midland Park, NJ. Over 500 people from Midland Park and Patterson, NJ were in attendance that night to honor Vandy before the game for his no-hitter on 6/11/38. During this ceremony he received a Key to the City of Midland Park from the mayor. It's important to note that Vander Meer, being Dutch, was a hero to the many people of Dutch heritage that transplanted to the NY and NJ region when they first settled in the US.

3) A downtrodden Brooklyn Dodgers team sulking back to their dugout after the game.

4) The last photo is an interesting one!! Anyone care to guess who the person is in the light colored suit and dark tan at the bottom left that is walking across the field to greet to Dodgers players out in front of the Brooklyn dugout?

Hint: His presence was historic as the Dodgers made a major announcement regarding him in the upcoming days following Vandy's no-hitter.

[GKreindler]

Mr. Ruth was indeed in attendance that night!

GREAT pick-ups, Scott. I've seen prints of them on eBay every now and again, but never the originals. Way to go!

Graig

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by GKreindler

Mr. Ruth was indeed in attendance that night!

GREAT pick-ups, Scott. I've seen prints of them on eBay every now and again, but never the originals. Way to go!

Graig

Graig & Dan,

You are indeed correct! That is The Big Bam, in the flesh!
Babe actually met with Johnny Vander Meer prior to his historic second consecutive no-hitter. Vander Meer recalled the meeting in fan letters and interviews through the years following his double no-no. Ruth visited him to congratulate him on his first no-hitter that occured on 6/11/38, four days earlier. They discussed the possibility of hunting together since they were both avid sportsman. Vandy and Babe did hunt and possibly fish several times together. Vandy stated that he did not have a subsequent meeting with Babe after the 2nd no-hitter, for the record.

Here is a postcard that features this conversation on the bench prior to the first night game at Ebbets Field that I picked up recently. The player to the right is Reds pitcher Paul Derringer and this postcard originated from his estate a number of years ago.

I also attached a scan of a fan letter where Vandy recalls his first meeting with Babe Ruth out of my collection.

The game ball from Vandy's 2nd no-hitter I do not own (but wish I did ), but was part of Seth Swirsky's collection that Heritage sold a few months ago.

[mcgwirecom]

sweet pics Scott! Ruth sporting the open collar. I read that he forgot his tie at the original HOF induction and thats why he had an open collar at that, but I guess he liked it!

[Scott Garner]

Gary, Andrew, Lance and Randall,
Thanks for the kind words! I'm glad you liked seeing them.

[doug.goodman]

just wow

[Rjskead]

Great stuff. i just joined the forum. I'm a Vandy fan as well. See www.johnnyvandermeer.com, read the story behind the story under the kids book tab to see why. Vandy's granddaughter justed inherited vandy's game balls that he had lent to the town until his granddaughter became a certain age.

[Big Dave]

Here is film from that event.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...s_mlb&c_id=mlb

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Here is film from that event.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...s_mlb&c_id=mlb

Hi Dave,
Thanks for providing the link. I love the old footage. Definitely a different era!

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by Rjskead

Great stuff. i just joined the forum. I'm a Vandy fan as well. See www.johnnyvandermeer.com, read the story behind the story under the kids book tab to see why. Vandy's granddaughter justed inherited vandy's game balls that he had lent to the town until his granddaughter became a certain age.

Rob,
Welcome to net54! Thanks!
I've seen your website and read about your Vandy children's e-book.
Very cool!

[deebro041]

Looks like The Bambino! Great photos Scott!

[jerseygary]

The Babe later sat down next to Vander Meer after the game and he said that meeting Ruth was a bigger thrill to him then pitching no-hitter number two! Those are really great pictures to see, thanks for sharing them!

[thecatspajamas]

Nice pick-ups, and an appropriate resting place/collection for them to be added to!

[whitehse]

Those are just way too cool!! Nice pickups!