Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Paul LoDuca, Dee Gordon and a Brian Wilson Bobblehead in RC

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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I was going to let you know about the Brian Wilson bobbleBEARD game in Rancho Cucamonga on Friday, but it's too late.  The game is already sold out.  Only 1,500 fans will get one, so if you have tickets you'd better get there early.

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Former Dodger catcher Paul LoDuca will be signing autographs on Saturday.  Go here for information.
Alex C. Liu OD
19735 E. Colima Rd.
Rowland Heights, CA 91748
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Dee Gordon will be in Whittier on Saturday to sign for fans.  Go here for information.
Harry's Dugout
10715 Beverly Boulevard
Whittier, CA

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By at Wednesday, April 23, 2014 0 comments
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Blog Kiosk: 4/23/2014 - Dodger Links - We Do Deserve an Apology


Clayton Kershaw did some heavy lifting yesterday at the Dream Center.  Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Ken Gurnick at MLB.com tells us a bit about it here.
  • Via Howard Cole at LA Weekly, "Time Warner Owes Us an Apology. And So Do the Dodgers."  I've been agnostic about this whole situation, but am finding myself more disturbed about it.  Howard is right, at some point, if this ever gets worked out, they (and I mean all of them-Dodgers-TWC-Comcast-DISH-etc.-All of Them) owe fans an apology.  A quote from Howard's piece is below:
Love does not mean never having to say you're sorry. In fact, an apology of some sort is definitely indicated when the tear-jerker of a love story we're talking about is Dodger baseball - - and the Southland's inability to cherish what is nearly as precious to many of us as a family member.
"The plays that you're supposed to make, you've got to make," he said. "Simple as that."
  • Chad Moriyama at Dodgers Digest writes a, "Down On The Farm Update: Games Of 4/15 – 4/21."
  • Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider tells us about Adult Baseball Camp in November at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach.
  • Jon also shares a video of Clayton Kershaw's most recent bullpen throwing session, here.  He is throwing to Don Mattingly.
  • Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Chad Billingsley to receive PRP injection Wednesday."
  • Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Guerrero's Triple-A tear creates buzz."
  • Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest shares a prospect report, "Jonathan Martinez off to strong start in Great Lakes."
  • Ken Levine, formerly of Dodger Talk, sums up my feelings about Linkedin precisely. Heck, I kinda feel that way about all the social networks.  I am constantly surprised at how folks take any of it seriously, yet I understand and appreciate the importance that the self-promotion provides.  A comment I read on Ken's post really rings true:
LinkedIn is like a bunch of people at a marketing/networking conference seminar at a crappy hotel: Everyone spends their time standing around touching all the donuts in the back, not really knowing anyone, and trying not to seem out of touch or awkward. Nobody knows how to really use the damn thing, why they're even there, or why it even matters beyond "I got sent here because the boss thinks this is important somehow ... but I get a free day out of the office, so I'm kinda all good".

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By at Wednesday, April 23, 2014 0 comments
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Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Go Kings Go!


Tonight is Game 3, and I am both nervous and excited.  We've had a tough go of it the first two games, and at numerous times in those early matches the Kings looked unrecognizable.

Who were those guys?

The Kings had seemingly lost their way.  They aimlessly tried to catch up with the Sharks speed, but ended up chasing the puck to their demise.  Kings hockey had disappeared, and if they want to have any chance of winning this series they had better find it again. 

Coming back home to the Staples Center is a good place to restart things.  They'll have a friendly crowd ready and willing to cheer them to victory.  I suspect it'll be loud, but I fear that some early nervous tension will set in if the Kings do not set their pace. 

I, for one, plan on being loud throughout.  I'll be sitting in my usual section with my friends in tow.  We'll scream and chant, cheer and bellow, yell and shriek. 

We might be down for now, but the count has not even begun.  We are standing in our corner ready for the referee to restart the fight, and like Ali in Manila we will shake off our misery with a tough win in the end. 

The bout starts at 7:00 PM, and you had better glue your eyes to the tube for this one.  This evening may prove to be the bellwether. 

Go Kings Go!

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By at Tuesday, April 22, 2014 0 comments
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Blog Kiosk: 4/22/2014 - Dodger Links - Arruebarrena Plays, More Dodger Give-Away Previews and Greinke


This is a great photo of an unfortunate play.  Carlos Ruiz tags out Yasiel Puig between 3rd and home in the 1st inning.  It set a tone for the rest of the game as they would not get another runner to 3rd base.  Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.
  • Via Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest, "Dodgers’ SS prospect Erisbel Arruebarrena makes professional debut."
  • Here's a peek at the Dodger pennant being given away at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, May 10th against the Giants.  See it on the right.   It has a old-timey kind of look to it.  
  • On Tuesday, June 17th the Dodgers are giving away a facsimile autographed Dodger Baseball.  See it on the left, below.  Awesome, right?
  • Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider explores, "The crazy rise in strikeouts for the Dodgers."
Dodger pitchers have never struck out more than 1,292 batters in a season, a record set in 2013. This year, they’re on pace for 1,543. And Clayton Kershaw hasn’t pitched in a game since March.
In the novel, the reclusive writer was the real-life J.D. Salinger. Why was he not a character in the movie? The answer involves both moxie and cowardice.
  • Jon Chapper at Dodger Insider tells us that the Dodgers are nearing 10,000 total franchise National League wins, and we are either 3 or 16 wins away from it - depending on who you ask.
  • Greg Katz at the LAist shares some delectable photos of some of the new foods being offered at Dodger Stadium.  Yummmmm...
  • Eno Harris at FoxSports notes that Greinke has always played around with his pitching repertoire in order to stay ahead of hitter.
  • Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers name training room after Dr. Jobe."
  • ICYMI:  The Dodgers recalled right-handed pitcher Jose Dominguez from Triple-A yesterday and optioned infielder/outfielder Chone Figgins to Albuquerque.  This is expected to be a short term move, so as to help out an overworked bullpen.

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By at Tuesday, April 22, 2014 0 comments
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Monday, April 21, 2014

A Ryu Bobblehead Preview - Some Dodgers Had Some Fun With It


Earlier this afternoon, a yet-to-be unveiled Dodger bobblehead made an appearance in the Dodger dugout.  It appears the Dodgers PR staff was preparing some promotional photos and videos that included Puig having some fun with the ceramic doll.  Better yet, others got into the act.

BTW, Ryu's bobblehead will be given out to fans on Tuesday, May 27th in a game against the Reds.

At the very top is a close up of Hyun-Jin Ryu's bobblehead, pic via Beto Duran on twitter.  Then, Puig shows it off.


He can fly!  Pic via @Dodgers on twitter.


Then, Juan Uribe got a hold of the Ryu bobblehead and took it with him to infield practice (pic via Beto Duran on twitter).


Puig's bobblehead suddenly made an appearance, so Uribe responded with some violence (via @Dodgers on twitter)


Here's a close up view, via Beto Duran on twitter.


I think Juan Uribe is a bit jealous that he isn't getting one.  Puig, in turn had some unkind words, via Bill Plunkett on twitter.


The hijinks never ends in the Dodger clubhouse.  Who said this team can't gel - that the melting pot that is the Dodgers is incompatible with chemistry?  From the look of it, this Dodger team has plenty of chemistry.

UPDATE:  Check out the boys with their bobbles, via a tweet from the Ryu.



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By at Monday, April 21, 2014 1 comments
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The Stan Williams 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet

Here is another post featuring the 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet set.  Go here to see my past post showcasing this set; including complete scans of both the Vin Scully/Jerry Doggett and Sandy Koufax booklets.  This time I share the Stan Williams Booklet.

"Big Daddy" as he was also known stood 6' 5" tall and had a blazing fastball.   Unfortunately, he was unable to harness his skills to be a top of the rotation guy.  Never mind though, with a pitching staff as good as the Dodgers back then he played an important role by averaging 25 starts a year in Blue. Overall, Williams recorded 57 win against 46 losses in 5 years. 

So, what did he consider to be his key to success?  Well, the booklet provides some insight.
Stan Williams calls the three most important assets he's acquired the "three C's" - confidence, concentration, control.  Without the first two, he believes, control is impossible to any pitcher.  "My concentration," he says, in all modesty, "is so keen now that I never see the crowd.  I couldn't tell you if 100 or 100,000 are in the park.  All I see id the diamond."
Below are complete scans of every page from Stan William's 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet.  Click any pic to embiggen. 









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By at Monday, April 21, 2014 0 comments
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