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Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Vintage Photo of Pregame Festivites of a Navy Relief Game at Ebbets Field


In addition to the photo I shared last week (a Sandy Koufax Hickock Belt photo), I also added a photo from 1942 featuring the May 8th exhibition Baseball game between the Dodgers and Giants to my collection.

As you know, our country was embroiled in WWII, and this game (along with many others throughout the country) was organized to generate funds for the care of returning injured servicemen.  This particular game was to help the Navy Relief Fund.  All attendees payed an admission ticket price; including all participating ballplayers, coaches and umpires.  Then, all proceeds from the game were donated.  In all, they were able to collect $60,000. A photo of a used ticket stub from the event is shown on the right.

In the vintage press photo you can see they are in the midst of the pregame flag raising ceremony.  Per the description attached to the reverse of the photo:
General view during flag-raising ceremony which preceeded today's Navy Relief twilight game between the Dodgers and Giants at Ebbets Field.  Members of the home team stand at attention in foreground.  Some 40,000 fans, all paying an admission price, saw the game.
BTW, the photo is a ACME News Pictures/NEA Type I press photo.  Also, this particular game is notable, besides its assistance to the Navy, for several reasons.  It was the first twilight game in Baseball in 24 years, and it marked the debut of soon-to-be long-time Ebbets Field organist Gladys Gooding.  Gladys was the second organ player ever in a Major League stadium, and would quickly become an important part of the team.

As for who won the game, it was the Dodgers.  They defeated the Giants 7 to 6 on a 7th inning home run by Dolph Camilli.

Below is a scan of the reverse of the press photo.

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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Check Out Some Early Twitter Pics of "The National"

This is one of those weekends where I'll have to live through the eyes of others.

As you know, the card show of all card shows opens this weekend in Cleveland, and unfortunately I will not be there.  But... That's OK.  In this day and age of social media there are plenty of avenues for me to get my card show fix; with exception of actually being able to add anything to my collection.  So, check out some early pics below, via various twitter accounts, of the National Sports Collectors Convention ("The National").  Most of the major exhibitors are already setting up shop and several folks are sharing what they are seeing.

Here's the outside of the Exposition Center, via Cardboard Radio.


ThoseBackPages gives us an early look at the show floor.


ThoseBackPages also shows us a very pricey unopened wax case of 1980-81 OPC Hockey that includes the Gretzky rookie card.  It's priced at an astounding $95k.  Wow!


Wheatland Auctions has a Babe Ruth and a Harper/Trout auto superfractor for sale.


VSM Sportscards shows us the Topps booth.


BTW, Topps is officially releasing their 2014 Topps Baseball mini set this weekend.  Check out this case filled with boxes, via ThoseBackPages.



Here's the Upper Deck booth near the Ferris Wheel, via VSM Sportscards.


I will definitely share more pics throughout the week, so stay tuned.

If you can't wait and you want to see more photos right away, I suggest checking out this hashtag on twitter: #NSCCShow.  I would also suggest following these folks on twitter:
Obviously, there are many more you could follow, so if I missed anyone who plans on putting up a bunch of pic please let me know.  BTW, Blowout Cards has some behind-the-scenes photos up to look through here.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Braves Series Starts Tonight - Scheduled Autograph Signings, Game Give Aways and Other Stuff!


The next homestand starts this evening against the Atlanta Braves, and several old-tyme Dodgers will be in the house to sign free autographs for fans.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

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Tuesday, July 29th at 7:10 PM
RHP Josh Beckett vs. RHP Aaron Harang

Tonight's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM. This might be the coolest thing ever.  The first 40,000 fans will receive a Vin Scully 65th Anniversary Talking Microphone.  When you push a button you hear Vin Scully say, "It's time for Dodger Baseball."  Watch it here.  See it on the right.

Internationally renowned Rock Opera singer Alexander Kariotis will perform the national anthem. 

Former Dodgers Tim Leary (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Billy Ashley (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. 
  • The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Gabriel Bocanegra. He enlisted in 1994 and immediately following boot camp was sent to train as a Hospital Corpsman learning preventive and Navy Environmental medicine. He is currently serving at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego providing care for sick and wounded sailors and marines. He has served nine deployments including Afghanistan and a tour in Iraq. Bocanegra’s accolades include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement and Commendation medals.
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Wednesday, July 30th at 7:10 PM
RHP Zack Greinke vs. LHP Alex Wood

Wednesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  The Dodgers are hosting Japan Night at the Stadium.  Go here for information.  The Japan Pom Pom Girls and LA Matsuri Taiko will perform prior to the game. and the National Anthem sung by 2011 Nisei Week Queen Erika Makiko Olsen.  Her court will also be in attendance.

Also, LPGA champion and Pasadena native Mo Martin will throw the ceremonial first pitch. 

For this special day the Dodgers have created a Teriyaki Dog.  See it on the right.   It's an all-beef hotdog with Japanese mayo, teriyaki sauce, caramelized onions and nori seaweed.  It is available on this day only at the extreme loaded dog concession stands on the Field, Loge and Reserve levels. 

Former Dodgers Tommy Davis (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Dennis Powell (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Also, in celebration of Japan Day an origami workshop will be offered in the right-field pavilion plaza from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
  • The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Steven De Avila. De Avila enlisted in 2001 and served with three other squadrons prior to being assigned to the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 75 based in San Diego. As the lead Petty Officer of Aviation Mechanic and the squadron’s head mechanic he is in charge of ensuring the maintenance on 11 MH-6oR Helicopters. He has been deployed to the Middle East and the Persian Gulf on 3 occasions in addition to tours in Japan and the Pacific Rim. His accolades include five Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Iraqi Campaign Medal and a battle Efficiency Medal.
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Thursday, July 31st at 7:10 PM
LHP Clayton Kershaw vs. RHP Julio Teheran

Thursday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  It is another Dodger bobblehead day. The first 50,000 fans will receive 30HR Club Bobblehead (Baker, Cey, Garvey, Smith).  See the bobblehead on the right.

Members of the 30 HR club Ron Cey and Reggie Smith will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Interscope Recording artist and LA native Jasmin V will perform the national anthem. 

Former Dodgers Matt Luke (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Derrel Thomas (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. 
  • The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Army National Guard Sergeant First Class Daniel Acuna, who enlisted in 2002. He currently serves with HHB 1-144 FA as a Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems Specialist and a Firefinder Radar Operator. His deployments include Kandahar, Afghanistan, Kosovo and Guantanamo Bay Cuba. Acuna’s accolades include the Bronze Star, Nato Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Medal.

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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 7/29/2014 - Dodger Links - TWC Accepts Binding Arbitration in Cable Dispute


Dork!  Clayton Kersahw was on the Jimmy Kimmel Show last night, pic above via @JimmyKimmelLive on twitter.  You can watch much of Clayton's interview on YouTube here and here.
  • The 35th annual National Sports Collectors Convention ("The National") opens tomorrow in Cleveland, and I plan on posting up and sharing as many great photos as I can find on social media.  In the meantime, check out the Yasiel Puig Panini America wrapper promo card on the right.
  • Blowout Cards has put up some behind-the-scene photos from their setup at "The National" in Cleveland here.  I wish so much I was going.  Heck, I wish they would bring the big show out west.
  • Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, Stan Kasten supports binding arbitration to solve distribution of SportsNet LA.
“We’ve heard a lot of things on both sides of this equation,” Kasten added. “This is a way to cut through all that. We’ll let an arbitrator decide who’s right and who’s wrong, and we can move on. And we don’t need to wait for the outcome of the arbitration. Once both sides agree to submit, we can turn the games on right away and they can figure out the price later.”
This is very interesting.  It's obvious that the Dodgers/TWC are trying to add some political pressure to the equation;  i.e. doing some heavy lobbying.  Will it work?  Who knows?  Time Warner has already indicated that they will accept arbitration, but it remains to be seen if the other providers will fold under the pressure.  
Thirty-one times, the 27-year-old Korean made use of an updated slider he learned from Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, inducing swinging strikes galore from the San Francisco Giants.
But most of the time, it wasn't really about the game itself. It was about a genuine and mutual love for the Dodger organization. The players. The coaches. Vin Scully. That beautiful stadium on top of the hill with a great view of downtown. It was something that brought us closer even though we didn't always have time together. 

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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *