The 1981 Dodgers Reunion Show This Saturday

This looks like a big show for autograph hounds. Frank & Sons in the City of Industry will be hosting the 1981 Dodgers Reunion show at their weekly collectors exhibit show tomorrow. It figures to be a pretty big event.

I wish I could be there, but I had already made a commitment to help some good friends of mine move-in to their first home. Robbie, you owe me one!

Go here for more details regarding cost and appearance times.

UPDATE: BTW, I thought I would make this friendly reminder to tell you about The Calendar Page for this blog. In the Calendar I note down various autograph opportunities available throughout the southland. It not only includes Dodgers events, but other team and sports, as well. I include MMA, Basketball, Football, Hockey and MLS- just to name a few. The Calendar can be reached near the top of this blog by clicking calendar or can be seen along the far right sidebar, towards the lower half of the page.

Blog Kiosk: 11/4/2011

I think the MVP award is next. Pic via @Dodgers Twitter.

• Tommy is pulling for Peter O'Malley, via Steve Dilbeck of LA Times.
  
• Look at that. Just more awards for our favorite Dodgers. Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.

  Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw continued their offseason collection of honors Thursday, Kemp being named the National League's Outstanding Player and Kershaw the NL Outstanding Pitcher in the annual Players Choice Awards.

• Looks like Frank is going back to Boston. Unfortunately, we get stuck with Jamie. Via Bill Shaikin.

  Under a divorce settlement filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, Jamie McCourt kept four homes — two in Malibu, one in Holmby Hills and one in Vail, Colo. Frank McCourt kept two homes, both in Massachusetts.

• Call to the Pen explores the similarities between the 1941 and 2011 Dodgers.
  
• Jared Massey starts a new Dodger blog called LA Dodger Report.
  
• RIP- Matty Alou. Via NY Times.
  
• I might have to pay for this. Jose Canseco and Lenny Dykstra to fight, via Big League Stew.
  
• Congrats to the LA Galaxy on advancing in the playoffs, via LA Inspiration.
  
• A big shout out to Jon Weisman at Dodger Thoughts for finding this video. Get Animated.

Video Link:

An Early Look at Topps 2012 Gypsy Queen Cards

I really like this new design for next seasons 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen Set. Even better is the above Sandy Koufax autograph card. Heck, the Indian Head Penny's embedded within the cards below would look mighty nice in my collection. The set is expected to be released on April 18th. All I can say is that the Baseball season couldn't come any faster.

Check out Beckett for info and pics, here.

SCP: More Dodger Goodies

Yesterday, I featured some great items available in SCP's current auction. Today, I show a couple of more Dodger related pieces I thought worth taking a look at.

Here is a ticket stub from Sandy Koufax's perfect game against Chicago on September 9, 1965. He blanked the Cubs 1 to 0.

(Auction Link)

This is a 1955-58 Duke Snider game used Baseball bat. It was once a part of a homemade bar stool made with gamer bats that included Yogi Berra, Ted Williams, and Mickey Mantle.

(Auction Link)

This is a full set of game used catching gear once worn by Mike Piazza.

(Auction Link)

Do You Want Trump to Buy the Dodgers?

Big League Stew has a story this afternoon that brings up the possibility of Donald Trump buying the Dodgers. I don't know if I'd be a fan of this.

From BLS story:

Greta Van Susteren of Fox News interviewed Donald Trump for her "On The Record" show Wednesday night, and they ended the conversation by talking about the Los Angeles Dodgers. Basically, she begged The Donald to buy them.

Go to the 9:00 minute mark to hear his thoughts about buying the Dodgers.

Video Link:

Pic Link Above: Michele Sandberg:

New Hall of Fame Consideration for 2 Former Dodgers

This is pretty exciting news for Dodger fans and team history buffs.

Former Dodger GM Buzzie Bavasi and Dodger first baseman Gil Hodges are a part of the 10 man Golden Era Ballot for entrance into the Baseball Hall of Fame. This is for the Class of 2012 and promises to be very competitive. All 10 names on this ballot have merit. Other potential entrants include Ken Boyer, Charlie Finley, Jim Kaat, Minnie Minoso, Tony Oliva, Allie Reynolds, Ron Santo and Luis Tiant.

In my mind, Buzzie Bavasi should not be overlooked here. He easily ranks as one of the most important names in Dodger lore. Often overshadowed by Branch Rickey, he was an important cog that brought about the integration of Baseball and several championships to both the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. From 1946 to 1947 he was GM of the Nashua Dodgers which featured both Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe.

from a NY Times obituary:

Bavasi remembered challenging the manager of the Lynn Red Sox to a fight, with all the opposing players sitting nearby on the team bus, after a game in which, according to Bavasi, the manager had hurled racial slurs at Campanella and Newcombe. It was the “first time in my life I had ever challenged anybody,” Bavasi said, “and here I was challenging an entire baseball team.”

Then, from 1948 to 1950 he was the GM for the Dodgers top farm club, Montreal Royals. Soon, he would join the Dodgers to be their longtime GM from 1951 through 1968. The Dodgers first, and only, World Championship in Brooklyn happened under his watch in 1955. By the time he was done leading the 'Boys in Blue' he captured 4 World Titles and 8 League Championships. Of course, his work was not done. He was instrumental in the formation of a expansion team in San Diego.

Per the HOF story:

Any candidate to receive votes on 75 percent of the ballots cast by the 16-member Golden Era Committee will earn election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and will be inducted in Cooperstown on July 22, 2012, along with any electees who emerge from the 2012 Baseball Writers' Association of America election, to be announced on Jan. 9.