Mailbag: I Won a Kuo Autographed Card on eBay

Of all the pitchers I've rooted for over the past decade, I can safely say that Hong-Chih Kuo was my favorite.  He had such great tools on the mound, sporting a phenomenal 4-seam fastball and a sharp slider.  Kuo showed great velocity and proved to have a quick release to the plate.  Unfortunately, his career was cut short due to arm problems that lead to 4 elbow surgeries. By the end, he played 7 years in Dodger Blue and became a mainstay in the bullpen as a middle reliever. 

Another reason I loved this guy was his remarkable and unexpected home run in 2007.  He was a part of the famed "back to back to back" home runs against the New York Mets.  Watch it here.  Be sure to take note of his bat flip.  I remember sitting up in the stands (in the upper reaches of the top deck) and laughing at the bat toss. It was glorious.

Last week, I won the above Kuo card on eBay.  It is a 2006 Upper Deck Special Endorsement F/X Signatures card.

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2013 Allen & Ginter - Dodgers RIP Cards

I promise that this will be my last post featuring Dodger cards from 2013 Allen & Ginter.  To see all my past blog post on this card set go here.

Shown below are most of the Dodger RIP cards available in packs.  RIP cards are normal sized cards that have a hidden mini card within it.  All you have to do is pull on a tab located on the reverse to reveal the hidden prize.  These cards are rare and sell for a huge premium.

RIP Cards

#RIP-1 Duke Snider                         #RIP-27 Clayton Kershaw

#RIP-35 Jackie Robinson                      #RIP-67 Hanley Ramirez

#RIP-78 Sandy Koufax                     #RIP-84 Adrian Gonzalez

#RIP-98 Josh Beckett

Below are double-sided RIP cards.  A star player is featured on both sides of the card.  Unfortunately, I have not been able to track down a couple of Dodger cards to share here.

Double RIP Cards

#RIP-148 Sandy Koufax / Mays

#RIP-149 Jackie Robinson / Sandy Koufax

#RIP-150 Jackie Robinson/ Mays

#RIP-155 Matt Kemp /  Adrian Gonzalez

#RIP-156 Zack Greinke / Clayton Kershaw

#RIP-157 Ryu Hyun-Jin / Darvish

(Not Seen Yet, Have Not Captured Photo)

#RIP-158 Adrian Gonzalez / Hanley Ramirez

#RIP-159 Sandy Koufax / Clayton Kershaw

#RIP-160 Sandy Koufax/ Braun

#RIP-191 Jackie Robinson / Barlick

(Not Seen Yet, Have Not Captured Photo)

#RIP-193 Sandy Koufax / Duke Snider

#RIP-194 Duke Snider / Don Sutton

#RIP-198 Sandy Koufax / Tommy Lasorda

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Blog Kiosk: 8/15/2013 - Dodgers Links - Making History, Ryu and Dee Gordon

Paco Rodriguez with the win last night.  Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.

• Via Steve Han at KoreAm, "August Cover Story: The Longest, Most In-Depth Story Ever Written About Dodgers Star Pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu".

“I hated giving up walks since I was really young,” Ryu says. “It’s been ingrained in my head since then because my dad always told me, ‘You can give up home runs, but not walks.’ I think that’s what helped me to have the kind of control I have over my pitches now.”

• Via Joe Sheehan at the Daily Gammons, "Dodgers, History; History, Dodgers".

Generally, though, playing .800 ball for two months isn’t a fluke. Some of the greatest teams in baseball history — those ’01 Mariners, the ’75 Reds, the ’54 Indians, the ’39 Yankees, the ’29 A’s — are on the list of teams to have pulled it off. That’s the company the Dodgers keep now — and they were 32-40 when they started this run.

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Thoughts recounts the 8-game losing streak we had just before going 39-8 to break franchise records. 
• Via Tim Dierkes at MLB Trade Rumors, "Cuban Pitcher Hinojosa Granted Free Agency," and the Dodgers are thought to be interested.
• "Dee Gordon: Some Perspective on the Struggles of a Shortstop," via Howard Cole at LA Weekly.
• Bill Shaikin at LA Times, "Adrian Gonzalez has 2 hometown teams in Little League World Series".
• Tony Jackson at Dodger Scribe provides a couple of postgame videos.  First, here's Don Mattingly.  Then, Andre Ethier.  And if you want to relive last night's magic here are some game videos via MLB.com.  Here is Puig's rifle throw to get Byrd at 3rd.  The Dodgers score their first run on a fielder's choice.  Jerry Hairston drives in a run to make it 4 to 2.    Andre ties it in the 9th with a 2-run home run.  Check out Puig's leg-double to get into scoring position.  Then watch Adrian Gonzalez's game winning double to drive Puig in.  Lastly, here is Adrian's postgame Gatorade shower.  BTW, Bobby at DodgerFilms filmed himself dropping Andre Ethier's game-tying home run.  Sorry, Bobby!
• The past couple of months have been ridiculous.  It's hard to believe this is actually happening.  This team refuses to lose, and it's becoming clear that no deficit it too great to overcome.  Please don't pinch me.

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Movie Night at Dodger Stadium - The Sandlot - Sept. 1st

For its 20th anniversary, the classic coming-of-age Baseball movie "The Sandlot" will be shown at Dodgers Stadium after that afternoons ballgame.  It will be on Sunday, September 1st.  Director and writer David Mickey Evans, along with several members of the original cast, will be on hand.  Go here for more information.

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Steve Yeager, Maury Wills, Jay Johnstone, Dennis Martinez and Jose Altuve

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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Steve Yeager and Maury Wills will be signing free autographs in Hawthorne at the Sports Authority on Ocean Gate Avenue.  It will happen on Saturday, August 17, 2013 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.  Hat Tip: True to the Blue & Vin Scully is My Homeboy.

Sports Authority
14555 Ocean Gate Ave.
Hawthorne CA 90250
(310) 676-0700

UPDATE:  I just received word from a reader that it appears that only Steve Yeager will be signing at the Sports Authority on Saturday.  Maury Wills had to cancel his appearance and Steve Yeager will be his replacement.

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Former Dodger Jay Johnstone will be signing autographs at the Uptown Whitter Card show on Saturday from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM.  He will be at a booth near the Starbucks on Philadelphia Avenue. You can get a autograph with a purchase of Sports Item (Items starting @ $5.00).  I am unsure of the cost of a autograph if you bring your own item.  Text/Call 626.488.9432 to reserve tickets

Hat Tip: Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy

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Vladimir Guerrero will also be signing at the OC Dugout with Jose Altulve on Saturday.  Unfortunately, I do not know what time he'll be there.  Go here for information.  You may also call the store at 714-761-6414.

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Have You Seen This Dodger Drawing? Help Find the Thief Who Stole it from a Local Restaurant!

Come on, guys!  This ain't right.

Per NBC4, a drawing of Orel Hershiser made by the son of the owner and hung at the family's restaurant in Echo Park was recently stolen.  Go to the NBC4 website for a video and information.

"That piece to me was something I specifically did for this restaurant, " said Armando Delatorre Jr., who runs the restaurant with his father. "I've always had a love for the Dodgers. I was born and raised a Dodgers fan."

Armando Delatorre, co-owner of Guisados, posted pictures to Facebook and Twitter, asking customers to help find a man (pictured below) and two others seen carrying the portrait out of the store.

Just do the right thing and give it back.

The owners said no questions would be asked if the drawing is returned.

Hat Tip: Reddit  ishzendejas

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