Weekend Autograph Opportunity: Todd Hollandsworth, Alanna Rizzo and Alex Verdugo

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: 5/18/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I want to believe things are turning around.

Last night the Dodgers convincingly routed the Marlins, 7-0. Kenta Maeda was fantastic as he threw eight shutout innings; allowing only two hits and striking out eight. Best yet, Justin Turner lead the offense with three hits; including two doubles, to drive in five runs. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“I felt good the last couple days,” Turner said to SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo. “My timing’s right, seeing the ball good.”
...
On Kenta: “Just outstanding,” Turner said of Maeda’s performance. “That was fun to watch. Hopefully, build some momentum going up to D.C.”

It's discouraging that they could only win one of seven games against two of the worst teams in Baseball -- Reds and Marlins -- but that's where we are. We're a club that has looked lost all season long, and one can only hope that as players return from the DL they find a way to right the ship. As much as I see, read and hear that the Dodger season is doomed I know that deep down inside that they still have a chance -- albeit a quickly diminishing opportunity.

Photo above via Manny Fernandez/MLB.com at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1929 the Brooklyn Dodgers out-slugged the Phillies, 20-16. Hilariously, Dodger hurler Ray Moss allowed ten earned runs and still recorded his first win of the season. In 1931 Dodger outfielder Babe Herman hits for the cycle against the Reds at Ebbets Field.
• Happy Birthday, Bob Clark, Cy Barger, Don Lund & Eric Young!

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Busy! - 14 Past, Current and Future Dodger 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.

This might be the busiest weekend for Dodger autographs ever!  Holy Moly!

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Dodger Stadium will again be hosting a holiday sale at the Top of the Park store and three former players will be there to sign autographs for you - FOR FREE!  Remember   Go here for more information.

Saturday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.                      Dennis Powell
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.                        Tim Leary
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.                          Eric Karros

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If you're up near Santa Maria on Friday I'd suggest checking this out.  For a $20 donation you can get an Steve Sax autograph at Cugini's Pizzeria & Trattoria.  Go here for information.

Cugini's Pizzeria & Trattoria
230 E Betteravia Rd
Santa Maria, CA 93455

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A ton of Dodgers will be at Frank & Sons on Saturday.  Go here or here for information.

• FREE Autograph available of Jim "Mudcat" Grant.  He will also be selling his book and selling a statue of himself.  ($30. paperback - $40. hardcover - autograph included) (Jim will also be selling a statue of himself @ $40.) Please note that free autographs for Mr. Grant are limited to as many as he can sign in one hour.  stage time:  9:30am - 10:30am 
• Don Newcombe stage time:  11:30am - 1:00pm  NOTE:  Mr. Newcombe will no longer sign bobbleheads and figurines 
• Todd Hollandsworth stage time:  12:30pm - 1:30pm 
• Steve Garvey stage time:  1:00pm - 2:00pm
• Danny Heep stage time:  12noon - 1:00pm
• "Sweet" Lou Johnson  stage time:  10:30am - 11:30am
• Tommy Davis stage time:  10:30am - 11:30am
• Paul LoDuca stage time:  1:00pm - 2:00pm
• Jerry Reuss.  He will also be selling his popular book "Bring in the Right Hander!" stage time:  11:00am - 12noon

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

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Dodgers catching and infield prospect Austin Barnes will be signing at Bobblemania on Sunday.  Go here for information.
Bobblemania
2334 South Atlantic Boulevard, Suite A
Monterey Park, CA 91754

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Collection: Todd Hollandsworth 1999 Skybox Autographics

I was doing some brief research on Todd Hollandsworth recently and discovered on Wikipedia that Todd had received an unusual nickname.

Hollandsworth was a member of the 2003 World Series Champion Florida Marlins. It is in South Florida where he is believed to have acquired the nickname "God Hollandsworth".

What?  That's a strange nickname, and I am sitting here wondering how or why he was called that.  Does anyone know.  Does it have to do with his exploits during the Marlins championship in 2003?

Featured here is a 1999 Skybox Autographics card of Todd Hollandsworth in my collection. 

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Collection: Todd Hollandsworth 1997 Metal Universe Autograph

Todd Hollandsworth was the 5th consecutive Dodger to win the Rookie of the Year award in 1996.  Via Wikipedia:

He led all N.L. rookies that season in hits, doubles, home runs, runs batted in, and stolen bases in 149 games.

Hollandsworth would spend 5 1/25 season in LA, posting a Dodger career batting average of .266 with 41 home runs, 179 RBI's, and a .732 OPS.  Currently, he is a pre and post game analyst for the Chicago Cubs.  Of special note, Todd is married to the sister of former Dodgers reliever Matt Herges.

Featured here is a 1997 Fleer Metal Universe certified autographed card of Todd Hollandsworth from my collection.

Just for fun.  Check out this funny video of Todd Hollandsworth, as Dodger, playing left field in Wrigley Field.  Little did he know that he did not catch the last out of the inning. 

Video Link:

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Mailbag: eBay Win - Hollandsworth Auto

Todd Hollandsworth had such promise. He came to the Dodgers out of Bellevue, WA as a 3rd round pick in the 1991 draft. After several years of seasoning in the minors he came up to the big leagues in 1995. At that time he was ranked as high as the 13th best prospect by Baseball America. By the next year he was in LA to stay. He won the Rookie of the Year award in 1996 with a .291 batting average and 12 home runs. Unfortunately, he never produced the consistent power we had all hoped to see. He started to struggle at the plate and saw his playing time fall as a result. Nagging leg injuries certainly didn't help. Eventually he was traded to Colorado for Tom Goodwin in 2000. Todd would go on to have a 12 year major league career with a lifetime .273 batting average. BTW, he is a brother-in-law to former Dodger Matt Herges.

Here is a recent eBay auction win of a pre-rookie minor league autographed card of Todd Hollandsworth made in 1994 by Signature Rookies.. It was super cheap- less than a buck. On a side note, he signed 8,650 of these cards which make wonder how long could something like that take?