Blog Kiosk: 12/17/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this great, circa 1950's, vintage photo showing the exterior facade of Ebbets Field and a Brooklyn bus/trolley -- complete with kids getting a free ride on the back of the bus. Pic above via Dugout Legends on twitter.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1999, in what would be his final Major League season, the Dodgers signed free agent hurler and legendary pitcher Orel Hershiser to a one-year $2 million contract. He would not last the year, and be released on June 27th after going 1-5 with an 13.14 ERA. Overall, Hershiser would compile a 135-107 record in 13 years as a Dodger, with an 3.12 ERA, 24 shutouts, 65 complete games, 1456 strikeouts, an 116 ERA+, a 3.28 FIP and an 39.8 WAR. In 2004 Adrián Beltré leaves the Dodgers, after spending the first seven years of his career with the club, to sign a five-year $64 million free agent contract with the Mariners.
• Happy Birthday, Bob Ojeda & Chase Utley!

2018 Topps Archives Snapshots - All the Dodgers Cards

For the third year in a row Topps has released their online exclusive 2018 Topps Archives Snapshots brand, and they hit collectors mailboxes last week. Below are pics of all the Dodgers cards found in boxes. Go here for a complete checklist. BTW, boxes can still be purchased online direct from Topps. A box will cost $25 and you get eleven cards; including one autograph. Go here to check that out.

Base  

#AS-AV Alex Verdugo         #AS-CH Charlie Hough

2018 Topps Archives Signature Series Retired Player Edition - The Dodgers Cards

Last week Topps released their second Archives Signature product and this time they focus on retired ballplayers. As you'll recall, they released their active player edition in July (link here). This particular brand includes a checklist that has 14 ballplayers who once wore Dodger Blue, but I've only been able to find Dodger cards for ten of those former Dodgers. So far, signed Dodger cards of Andruw Jones (thank goodness), Bobby Bonilla, Pedro Martinez and Rickey Henderson have not yet been unearthed. Go here for a complete checklist. Check out the known signed Dodger buyback cards below. BTW, all Sandy Koufax cards come as a redemption.

On another note, the checklist indicates something called "Special Autographs", and that checklist includes six different older Dodger players. They are all "1 of 1's" and feature mostly vintage era cards that have been signed.

Retired Player Edition Encased Buyback Autographs

• #Andruw Jones -- None seen
• #Bobby Bonilla -- None Seen
• #Pedro Martinez -- None Seen
• #Rickey Henderson -- None Seen

#Bill Madlock

1986 Topps                          1987 Topps

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Turner, Hershiser and Hough

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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Blog Kiosk: 8/9/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic, dated April 12, 1932, original type I International News Photo from Opening Day featuring three new Dodgers -- all of whom would eventually be inducted in the Hall of Fame -- that is currently on auction at RMY Auctions (link here). Per the description on the reverse:

A Trio of Newcomers at Brooklyn Opening
Three notables who came in for a large share of the attention at the game between Brooklyn and the Boston Braves which rang up the curtain on the new season at Ebbets Field this afternoon (Tuesday.) The new Brooklyn Men are, left to right: Hack Wilson, late of the Chicago Cubs; Max Carey, new manager; and George Kelly, another new recruit to the Brooklyn aggregation.

Unfortunately, the new faces did little to change Brooklyn's fortunes. After all, this team was still trying to shake off nearly two decades of futility experienced under Robbie Robinson's "Daffiness Boys".

On a side note, it was around this time that famed sports cartoonist Willard Mullin created the famous "Brooklyn Bum" caricature for the Dodgers.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1975 Davey Lopes stole his 32nd consecutive base without being caught, breaking Max Carey's 1922 record. He would steal six more bases before getting caught. His record would eventually be broken by Cardinal's speedster Vince Coleman in 1989.  In 1976 Pirates hurler John Candelaria no-hit the Dodgers at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. In 1979 longtime Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley died of congestive heart failure at the age of 75.
• Happy Birthday, John Grim, Leo Callahan, Johnny Mitchell, Tom Sunkel, Chuck Essegian, Claude Osteen, Matt Young & Drew Butera!

Blog Kiosk: 6/27/2016 - Dodgers Links - Sborz, Seager and Adrián González

Today is a travel day for the Dodgers, and as is tradition ballplayers are tasked with looking their best when going from town to town.  This often means wearing a suit, but I think Adrián González's duds will work out just fine.  Check out the pic above, tweeted by AGone this morning, of himself wearing some special clothes in anticipation of traveling to Milwaukee later this afternoon.  As you know, he'll be riding the pine for this afternoons game (which starts at 9:35 AM PST).  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“You look over the last couple weeks, he’s not swinging well, and sometimes, I think it’s good to get away,” Roberts said.

BTW, the Dodgers lost a tough one yesterday.  With Clayton Kershaw on the mound they continued their losing ways on the road by losing to Pittsburgh 4-3.  Unfortunately, Kershaw had an uncharacteristic start.  He went only six innings, throwing 98 pitches, striking out only four, walking two and giving up nine hits.  All four earned runs came across the plate in the second inning.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"It just really comes down to limit the damage," said Kershaw, who allowed nine hits in six innings. "Some of those hits, I missed some spots, but they didn't hit it too hard. Then the Freese hit killed me tonight. I missed my spot bad, he made me pay. He's a good hitter, he's had some success against me and always been a tough out. I've got to get the guy ahead of him out. That's pretty much the name of the game tonight."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1980 Jerry Reuss no-hit the Giants at Candlestick Park.  He misses a perfect game due to an error by Bill Russell in the first inning.  In 2011 the Dodgers file for bankruptcy under the McCourt's.

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: DodgerFest at Frank & Sons - 10 Different Players

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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There's really only one thing to pay attention to this weekend, and it's the Dodgerfest event being held at Frank & Sons on Saturday.  Go here and here for information.  Click on any flyer below to embiggen.

Ten current and former Dodger players will be in attendance.  Even a former Raider football player will be there. 

Autograph Appearance Times:

• Don Newcombe - stage time:  11:30am - 1:00pm 
• Maury Wills - stage time:  1:00pm - 2:30pm
• Wally Moon - stage time: 11:30am - 12:30pm
• Reggie Smith - stage time:  2:00pm - 3:00pm
• Ron Cey - stage time:  1:30pm - 2:30pm
• Rick Honeycutt - stage time:  10:30am - 11:30am
• Steve Yeager - stage time:  10:30am - 11:30am
• Charlie Hough - stage time:  10:00am - 11:00am
• Juan Castro - stage time:  10:00am - 11:00am
• Alex Wood - stage time:  11:00am - 12:00pm

Special Guest:

• Fred Biletnikoff - Raiders Super Bowl XI MVP - stage time:  1:30pm - 2:30pm

Frank & Son Collectible Show
19649 San Jose Ave
City of Industry, CA 91748

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Pitchers & Catchers Workout #2

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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(Roberts and Grandal, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

WE’VE ONLY JUST BEGUN: Dodger pitchers and catchers held their second official workout of Spring Training today, with PFPs, bullpen sessions and batting practice in preparation for Opening Day, April 4 at San Diego. Position players report on Feb. 24 and the first full-squad workout will take place the following day, Thursday, Feb. 25. Los Angeles, in its eighth season training in Arizona, kicks off Cactus League play on Thursday, March 3 against the White Sox.

THE WAITING ROOM: Dodger reliever Josh Ravin missed his second consecutive day due to flu-like symptoms and non-roster right-handed reliever Caleb Dirks will be down a few days with a stiff lower back. Right-handed Brooks Brown, who was claimed off waivers from the Rockies on Oct. 14, 2015, is also being held back from throwing due to right shoulder soreness.

(Charlie Hough, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

WHEN DOES YAISEL MEET YASIEL?: This morning, the Dodgers announced the signing of 24-year-old Cuban reliever Yaisel Sierra, who is expected to join camp sometime in the next few days. The right-hander pitched five seasons in Cuba’s Serie Nacional with Holguin (2010-14) and Sancti Spiritus (2012), going 16-21 with 25 saves and a 4.23 ERA in 131 games (25 starts). Sierra, who was ranked No. 13 on Baseball America’s Top 20 Cuban prospects list, pitched for the country’s gold-medal winning national team at the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games. To create room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers placed right-handed pitcher Frankie Montas (rib resection surgery) on the 60-day disabled list.

NEW IN BLUE: While plenty of the familiar faces of the Dodger players are back from last year’s division title, the coaching staff is almost entirely new, with the exception of 11-year pitching coach Rick Honeycutt. The new first base coach in Los Angeles is George Lombard, who spent part of the 2008 season in the Dodger organization as a non-roster invitee and at Triple-A. Lombard spent six seasons coaching in Boston’s minor league system, including the last three as Boston’s minor league outfield and baserunning coordinator after two years (2011-12) managing the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Red Sox. He joined the coaching ranks in 2010 as the hitting coach for Single-A Lowell. Welcome George!

(Kenta Maeda, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

(Scott Kazmir, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

ON THE MOUND: The second crew of Dodgers threw their first official bullpens today, including Japanese right-hander Kenta Maeda, who took the mound in front of about three dozen media and another dozen staffers. Maeda was caught by Yasmani Grandal as he took another step on the way to his first Major League start. The 27-year-old was signed to an eight-year contract on Jan. 7 following   eight professional seasons with Hiroshima (2008-15) in which he compiled a 97-67 record with a 2.39 ERA in 218 games (217 starts). During the course of his Japanese career, Maeda won two Sawamura Awards (2010, 2015), given to the league’s best pitcher. The new hurler will become the eighth Japanese player in Dodger history, joining Hideo Nomo (1995-98, 2002-04), Kazuhisa Ishii (2002-04), Masao Kida (2003-04), Norihiro Nakamura (2005), Dave Roberts (2002-04), Takashi Saito (2006-07) and Hiroki Kuroda (2008-11). 

• Joining Maeda in throwing bullpens today were Scott Kazmir, Pedro Baez, Julio Urias, Jose De Leon, Alex Wood, Chris Anderson, Jharel Cotton, Mike Bolsinger, Brandon Beachy, Ian Thomas and Jacob Rhame.

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Blog Kiosk: 5/22/2014 - Dodger Links - Some Dodger Odds and Ends

Erisbel Arruebarrena joined the Dodgers last night, for the first time.  He is welcomed by hurler Hyun-Jin Eyu in the photo above, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider tells us of a story in Dodger Insider Magazine featuring several unknown Dodger memorabilia items.  It includes several videos featuring team historian Mark Langill describing them to us.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Lasorda, Hough to represent Dodgers at Draft."  The draft starts on June 5th.
• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA writes, "Steve Cilladi seized his opportunity with Dodgers."

The Dodgers have a new face in their bullpen in 2014, but he's not a pitcher. Steve Cilladi, 27, is one of the bullpen catchers, and is really a jack of all trades in his first year as a major league coach.

...

"I never really had the talent to make it to the big leagues, and I understood that after my first year," Cilladi recaled. "I just made the conscious effort to take this wherever it leads me, and just gain the valuable experience of being a minor league player and see if it turns into something afterwards."

• Via Paul Hagen at MLB.com, "Dynamic Puig continuing growth on the field."

"If you work hard, hopefully you'll have success. That's one thing I've done. I don't think I'm in awe of being in the Major Leagues now. I feel like I belong. I've done the things I need to do. When you face Major League pitching it's never easy. You have to make adjustments and that's what I'm trying to do to compete. I just love playing baseball."

• I kid you not!  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Miguel Olivo wanted to be like Mike Tyson, without the ear biting."  Eric shares a video of Olivo mentioned this.  BTW, Miguel Olivo has been placed on the suspended list, via a Dodgers press release:

Today, the Albuquerque Isotopes, Triple-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, placed catcher Miguel Olivo on the suspended list. Olivo, who is on the Dodgers' 40-man roster, will remain suspended pending the completion of an investigation into the dugout altercation during yesterday's game at Salt Lake.

• Check out this amazing video that features one hour of San Diego surfing time collapsed, via Cy Kuckenbaker.

One Hour of San Diego Surfing Time Collapsed: San Diego Study #4 from Cy Kuckenbaker on Vimeo.

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: A Couple of Dodger Old-Timers - Charlie Hough and Lee Lacy; UPDATE: Shawn Green and Paul LoDuca on Saturday

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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Former Dodgers Charlie Hough and Lee Lacy will be at Manuel's El Tepeyac in the City of Industry on Sunday, October 13, 2013 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Manuel's El Tepeyac
13131 Crossroads Pkwy South
City of Industry, CA 91746
(626) 488-9432

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I am unsure if Shawn Green or Paul LoDuca will be signing autographs at this event on Saturday.  Go here for more information.

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Blog Kiosk: 5/22/2013

Perfection in motion.  Above is a pic of Clayton Kershaw doing what he does best.  Pic via the Dodgers tumblr Dodger Dugout Steps.

• David Brown at Big League Stew first reported that every MLB team will be wearing special camouflage uniforms to commemorate Memorial Day this year.  Then, Roberto at VSIMH tracks down photos of the Dodger cap and jersey.  See the cap to the right.
• Check out Greg Zakwin's (of Plaschke, Thy Sweater is Argyle fame) first piece on Yahoo entitled, "Los Angeles Dodgers Have a History of Mishandling Injuries, but They Did Right by Zack Greinke and His Broken Collarbone."
• Tommy Lasorda and Charlie Hough will represent the Dodgers on the first day of the 2013 Baseball Draft, via Spencer Fordin at MLB.com.
• Michael Clair at Baseball Prospectus writes a piece that ... well, let's just say that I'm sure the Baseball world tried to forget about this.  He analyzes the ballplayers who appeared within the pages of Playgirl in the 80's.  BTW, our own Steve Yeager is included.
• I miss Kuroda.  Via Brian Costa at the Wall Street Journal, Kuroda may be the best free agent signing the Yankees have ever made.  Sigh.
• Eric Nusbaum at SB Nation writes about one of the greatest sluggers to ever play the game that no one knows about.  Meet Hector Espino - Mexico's greatest hitter.

Yet Héctor Espino did not feel deprived or denied of anything; he could have played, yet he chose not to. To him there was nothing unfortunate at all about staying in Mexico. He embraced the baseball of his nation, and in doing so also rejected the notion that Mexico was some kind of little brother; that the United States owns the history of the sport. He refused to allow himself to be defined in American terms, to be measured by those who did not know him or his country. In the United States, Espino would have been a foreign entity - always and forever a Mexican slugger. His reward for staying home was a kind of heroism, a unique status of immeasurable respect and deep reverence that eludes all but a very few. Where else but Mexico could Espino have been Espino?

• Dodger Penguin shares a a great autographed Baseball of Roger Craig that has the notation 1955 Champs.  Awesome!  I hate knowing that he used to skipper the hated SF Giants, but having that Dodger notation on the ball really helps erase that memory.
• Greg at Plaschke, Thy Sweater is Argyle shares his haul from this past weekends card show in Culver City.  I love the vintage Batman cards he got.  The artwork is fantastic.  Jesse at LA Inspiration also shares what he came home with.

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: DodgersFest 2012!!

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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DodgersFest 2012!  The big, end of the season, Dodgers themed autograph show is coming this Saturday to Frank & Sons in the City of Industry.  18 members of the Dodgers family will be there.  This promises to be a great event.  As always, admission is free.  All times below are subject to change.

Frank & Sons 
19649 San Jose Avenue 
Industry, CA 91748 

I'll start it off by announcing that Magic Johnson will be signing that afternoon starting at 1:00 PM, and ending whenever the demand stops.  You can also get autographs from the great Dodgers infield of the 70's- Garvey, Russell, Lopes and Cey.  There is a Dodgers Infield Super Ticket available, as well.  Details are below, or go here for more information.

Magic Johnson 

1:00pm until completion
small - flat items up to and including 11x14: $99. medium - large flats, baseballs, minis (bats, helmets & mini basketballs) shoes, floor pieces, figurines & equipment: $119. large - bats, helmets, basketballs, jerseys & artwork: $149. inscriptions: $49.

Al "The Bull" Ferrara

9:30am – 11:00am
FREE Autographs

Bill Russell

10:00am – 11:30am
small: $25. medium: $30. large: $35. inscription: $10.

Davey Lopes

10:00am – 11:30am
small: $30. medium: $35. large: $40. inscription: $10.

Ron Cey

10:00am – 11:30am
small: $30. medium: $35. large: $40. inscription: $10.

Steve Garvey

10:00am – 11:30am
small: $35. medium: $40. large: $50. inscription: $10.

****Infield Super Ticket (Super Ticket is one ticket for each member of the Infield) 

balls and small flats up to & including 11x14: $99.
large flats, minis, caps & equipment: $119. 
helmets, bats & jerseys: $139.

Maury Wills

11:00am – 12:30pm
small: $25. medium: $35. large: $45. inscription: $15.

Rick Honeycutt

11:00am – 12:30pm
small: $29. medium: $39. large: $49. inscription: $15.

Burt Hooton

11:30am – 1:00pm
small: $39. medium: $49. large: $59. inscription: $20.

Don Newcombe

11:30am – 1:00pm
small: $39. medium: $49. large: $59. inscription: $20.

Wally Moon

11:30am – 1:00pm
small: $39. medium: $49. large: $59. inscriptions: $20.

Wes Parker

11:30am – 1:00pm
small: $29. medium: $39. large: $49. inscription: $15.

Charlie Hough

1:00pm – 2:30pm
small: $15. medium: $20. large: $25. inscription: $10.

Jaime Jarrin

1:00pm – 2:30pm
small: $49. medium: $59. large: $69. inscription: $20.

Steve Yeager

1:00pm – 2:30pm
small: $20. medium: $25. large: $35. inscription: $10.

Dave Hansen

2:00pm – 3:30pm
small: $20. medium: $25. large: $35. inscription: $10.

Reggie Smith

2:00pm – 3:30pm
small: $29. medium: $39. large: $49. inscription: $15.

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Blog Kiosk: 4/30/2012

WooHoo!!!!  McCourt No More!!!  Via Tim Brown, the Dodgers sale closes today.

• Big League Sports catches up with Dodgers coach Charlie Hough as a new documentary called "Knuckleball" hits the film festival circuit.

Did you ever think you would be the subject of a feature film?
A horror show maybe, but no never a film. The documentary is really the story of all those who have thrown it to varying degrees of success and really our common stories of how we got to be knuckleballers. I think it’s neat and I hope people enjoy it. It’s not your average sports film.

• Has Javy Guerra been hit with the Snuggie curse?  Check out Sons of Steve Garvey for details.
• True to the Blue recaps the Kemp and Ethier signings at Frank & Sons, and shares some great photos.  LA Blue Crew was at Autograph Alley at Dodger Stadium for the Tommy Davis signing on Saturday and Billy Ashley on Sunday.
• Ken Levine, the DodgerTalk former host, put up some great pics from the recent Doo Dah Parade in Pasadena this past weekend.
• This past weekend saw the Dodgers sweep the Nationals.  "Chris Capuano and James Loney lead the way on Sunday, via Steve Dilbeck of the LA Times.
• With the Dodgers sale closing today I would suspect that the rumors related to the Dodgers extending Ethier will soon become reality.  MLB Trade Rumors notes that it could be up to a 5 year deal at $15Mil a year.
• Sports Collectors Daily follows up on the Ted Williams Collection auction held by Hunt.  It recently closed and featured his 1949 MVP Trophy that sold for $299,000.00.
• Do you remember when back in 1997 David Wells came onto the mound wearing Babe Ruth's game-used cap?  Well, that same cap is now on auction at SCP, via the New York Times. 

Wells said he wanted it to “look like a major league field,” and hopes to finance the renovations (at Point Loma High School in San Diego- his Alma Mater) partly with a portion of the proceeds from a memorabilia auction. Wells’s lot includes the 1930s Babe Ruth cap he bought for $35,000 and wore in the first inning of a game at Yankee Stadium

• "Party With My Friends" A Star Wars sing along.

Video Link:

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Day 12

AJ Ellis interviews Clayton Kershaw for a future DodgerVision feature, via twitter @dodgers.

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.

(Javy Guerra building memories for a child, via twitter @Dodgers)

• GETTING TO KNOW YOU: The last day of workouts prior to games kicked off this morning with Dodger skipper Don Mattingly implementing a new wrinkle during the daily team meeting. Mattingly started the getting-to-know-you process yesterday by introducing bench coach Trey Hillman to the team. Today, the responsibility fell on some younger players’ shoulders as Josh Wall introduced Jerry Hairston, Jr. to the club and Rubby De La Rosa familiarized the Dodgers with right-handed reliever Todd Coffey. Mattingly plans to continue the presentations over the next couple of weeks.

• GAME TIME! (sort of): This morning at 11:00 a.m., several Dodgers took part in an intrasquad game on the minor league side, specifically pitchers Clayton Kershaw, Chris Capuano, Stephen Fife and Will Savage and catchers Matt Treanor and Gorman Erickson. The hurlers each threw 2.0 innings while the catchers recorded three at-bats in the contest, which consisted of eight half-innings. Kershaw stuck out five of the seven batters he faced and allowed just one hit over 25 pitches. Capuano did not allow a hit or walk while striking out two over 2.0 innings. Fife and Savage each allowed an earned run in their 2.0 innings of work. Kershaw will make his first “official” start of the Cactus League season on March 9 against the Rangers in Surprise.

(Kershaw watching from the dugout, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers)

• RUBBY SUNDAY: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy 23^rd birthday to right-handed pitcher Rubby De La Rosa, who is progressing well after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last August. De La Rosa went 4-5 with a 3.71 ERA in 13 appearances (10 starts) in the big leagues last season before the injury. The native of the Dominican Republic shares his big day with Brooklyn Dodger Hall of Fame pitcher Dazzy Vance.
  

• CACTUS LEAGUE LID-LIFTER: The Dodgers open up their Cactus League season as the designated visiting team tomorrow against their Camelback Ranch neighbors, the White Sox. RHP Chad Billingsley will get the start for Los Angeles with RHP Nathan Eovaldi, RHP Fernando Nieve, LHP Wilfredo Ledezma, RHP Angel Guzman, RHP Ryan Tucker and LHP Scott Rice in relief and right-hander Philip Humber taking the hill for Chicago. The Dodgers open their home slate on Tuesday with LHP Ted Lilly on the mound against the Giants’ Barry Zito.

• GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: On this day 100 years ago, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field. This season is the 50^th anniversary of Dodger Stadium presented by State Farm and the club will begin the special season at Chavez Ravine on April 10 vs. Pittsburgh.

(Los Angeles Dodgers veterans Billy Delury, Jaime Jarrin, Ramon Martinez, Alejandro Pena, Tommy Lasorda and Charlie Hough Sunday, March 4, 2012 in Glendale, Arizona,via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers)

• THE GANG’S ALL HERE: Many of the Dodger broadcasters have descended on Camelback Ranch – Glendale over the last few days as Hall of Famer Jaime Jarrín showed up on Thursday, while Charley Steiner and Pepe Yñiguez arrived Friday. This afternoon, former Dodger outfielder and current KABC broadcaster Rick Monday landed in Phoenix, ready to call the game alongside Steiner tomorrow afternoon on the Dodgers’ new radio broadcast partner, AM 570 Fox Sports Los Angeles. Jarrín and Yñiguez will call the contest for KTNQ 1020, entering their second year as the Dodgers’ Spanish radio partner. The club would also like to welcome Efren Meza, the new Dodger producer for the Spanish radio crew.
  

• MAJORING IN THE MINORS: Dodger minor league pitchers and catchers have their first workout on March 5 and all other minor leaguers report on March 9 with the first full-squad workout taking place on March 11. The farmhands will hope to repeat their success from last season, when six of the Dodgers’ seven minor league affiliates ended the season with winning records and the teams’ cumulative .543 winning percentage (414-349) was the second highest among Major League clubs behind only Texas’ .565 mark (431-332). In addition, four of the seven clubs reached the postseason with the Rookie-level AZL Dodgers winning the Arizona Summer League championship.

Weekend Autograph Opportunities

Just to start, please check out the Autograph/ Events Calendar for a large listing of events.

And I want to make a quick comment. Screw those Yankees.

This coming weekend there will be a big card show in New Jersey. If you are in the area go here for details. The show celebrates the Yankees 1977 World Championship that saw Reggie Jackson belt 3 homers in one game against us. Unsurprisingly, they call the show the "Return to Glory" show. Along with a large number of former Yanks in attendance will be several Dodgers. Those special guest include Steve Yeager (who was behind the plate for all 3 Reggie homers), Burt Hooton (who gave up homer #1), Elias Sosa (who gave up homer #2), and Charlie Hough (who gave up homer #3).

35 years later and the Yankees are still rubbing it in.

Now to a Southland event.
First pointed out by Jesse at LA Inspiration, the LA Convention Center will be hosting the 9th Annual Fit Expo this weekend (Sat & Sun). Along with dumbbells, exercise tapes and all the food supplements you could want there will be numerous celebrities on hand to sign autographs. Go here for a complete list. Here is a short list:

• Mike Tyson; Saturday;
  11:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Intro at the MaxReps Stage
  11:15 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Autos/Photos ($129/$139) Gallery of Legends Booth
• Tito Ortiz; Saturday;
  Celebrity UFC Fighter
  Owner of Punishment Athletics
• Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake; Sunday;
  Heavyweight Champion
  10:30-10:45 a.m. Main Stage Q&A
  10:45-12:00 p.m. and
  1:00-2:30 p.m. American ICON Autographs Booth – Autos/Photos (add charge)
• Josh Saunders; Sat & Sun;
  Goalkeeper US Soccer League- LA Galaxy
  
• A handful of LA Temptation Lingerie Football players. You read that right!
  

• D’aundre Reed; Sat & Sun;
  Minnesota Vikings; NFL Football Player; Autograph/Meet & Greet with product purchase

• Chauncey Davis; Sat & Sun;
  Chicago Bears; NFL Football Player; Autograph/Meet & Greet with product purchase

• Rudy Tomjanovich; sat & Sun;
  Former LA Lakers Coach; Current NBA Scout for the LA Lakers

  Sat. 3:00-5:00 p.m.
  Sun. 10:00-1:00 p.m.

• Lisa Leslie; Sat & Sun;
  Top WNBA Basketball Player

  Sat. & Sun. 1:30-3:00 p.m.

And this is just a short list. There are a whole bunch of well-known MMA, UFC, fitness, bodybuilding, wrestlers, chefs and nutritionist slated to appear.