Collection: Josh Wall Just Minors Autographed Baseball Card

Josh Wall has labored within the Dodgers farm system since being drafted out of the 2nd round in 2005.  He started out as a starting pitcher and made his way through rookie ball to single A ball over 6 seasons.  Figuring that the rotation wouldn't be his path to the majors, the Dodgers converted him into a reliever.  Soon, Josh would become the Dodgers AAA closer and finally get a chance to show off his stuff with the Dodgers on several different occasions last season.  

Wall pitched in 7 games, and did very well if you throw out the one miserable experience that saw him yield the only runs he allowed all year.  He figures to be going back to AAA in 2013, but I would expect that he would be the first call-up should the Dodgers need a right-handed reliever.  Below are his 2012 game logs from Baseball-Reference.


Featured here is a 2006 Just Minors autographed card of Josh Wall in my collection.  BTW, you can follow Josh Wall on twitter @Thegr8wall15.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 12/6/2012

Take a look at your 2013 National League managers, pic via twitter @Dodgers PR.

• Dodgers lose prospect Alfredo Silverio in Rule 5 Draft, via True Blue LA.  MLB Trade Rumors has the complete draft results.
• Clayton Kershaw is highlighted as one of ten "Athletes Who Care" by Alexander Wolff in Sports Illustrated newest issue.  See the list, here.
• RIP, Dave Brubeck.  NPR has a great writeup on his life and career, here.  Also, I couldn't stop myself from making the below trading card of Brubeck in his honor.

• Gary Ashwill at Agate Type explores the stories about Walter Johnson pitching in the Negro Leagues.

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Collection: Jim Wynn Sports Illustrated Cover Autographed Baseball Card

Jimmy Wynn had a short stay in Dodger Blue, but made the most of it.  After a dismal 1973 season in Houston, he was traded to the Dodgers and went on to have a career year.  He batted .271 with 32 home runs, 108 RBI's, and a .884 OPS while leading the Dodgers to a pennant.  Unfortunately, he fizzled out in the playoffs.  He batted just .200 in the Championship series, but saw the Dodgers persevere with the help of his 9 walks.  Then in the World Series, the A's shut him down and removed him as a threat entirely.

A shoulder injury the next season took away his bat, so he was quickly traded away for Dusty Baker.

BTW, I didn't realize until this morning that today is the 39th Anniversary of the trade that sent Jimmy Wynn to the Dodgers for Claude Osteen.  I was reminded of that fact due to a timely post by Mark Langill at Dodgers History this morning.  Heck, even GCRL posted up some of the Dodgers base cards to the autographed card I am showing today.  I guess today is the day of coincidences.

Featured here is a 1999 Fleer Greats of the Game Autographed Collection card of Jimmy Wynn in my collection.

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Dodgers Mall Tour with Fernando

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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Here is the fourth leg of the Dodgers 2012 Holidays Mall Tour in Southern California.  Go here for more information.  This coming Saturday, December 8th, Kenny Landreaux and Fernando Valenzuela will be at the Westfield West Covina Mall to meet with fans and sign free autographs.  Below is the announced schedule.

Westfield West Covina

112 Plaza Drive West
Covina, CA 91790

Saturday, December 8

10am-6pm

LOCATION: Entrance near Red Robin

Fernando Valenziela (11am-12pm)
Kenny Landreaux (2pm-6pm)

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 12/5/2012

You can expects some strange happenings when you hold the Winter Meetings in Nashville; like watching Tommy Lasorda sing an Elvis tune.  Pic via twitter @Dodgers, via @SteveGiglio.

• I always forget that this time of year is filled with more rumors than you can shake a stick at.  I also forget that a vast majority of these rumors are a load of bunk.  In other words, they are entirely made up.  It's best just to ignore the babble and wait patiently for real news to come to light. 
• Here's a great article by Tom Verducci at SI on the analytical Zach Grienke.
• Bill Shaikin of the LA Times reports on twitter that the Dodgers submitted a long-term offer to Hyun-Jin Ryu.  Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times reported that a counteroffer has been made.  They have until Sunday to work out a deal. 

(twitter link)

• Via Dylan Hernandez, Dodgers Hope Hanley Ramirez can Overcome Shortcomings.

Colletti and Manager Don Mattingly acknowledge that Ramirez has to play better defense than he did after he was acquired from the Miami Marlins in July. But they say they are confident he will.

"I kind of feel like Hanley can do anything," Mattingly said.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/05/3127264/dodgers-hope-hanley-ramirez-can.html#storylink=cpy

• Chad Moriyama takes a look at the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, and potential Dodger prospects who might get picked up.
• The Stanley Cup visited the Upper Deck offices yesterday.  Check out their blog which has plenty of pics.
• From the Hauls of Shame, numerous documents related to Ford Frick remain missing (stolen) from the Hall of Fame and the National Baseball Library.  This kind of thing makes me very sad.
• Chaos and Kanji goes to a Saitama Seibu Lions Baseball game in Japan.
• Andre Ethier sent out a great holiday greeting to the kids at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.  Photos from his recent visit to the hospital is right here.

Video Link:

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Collection: Tommy John 1999 Greats of the Game

Did you know that it was Mark McGwire that finally convinced Tommy John to retire after 26 years of playing Major League Baseball? 

"When your dentist's kid starts hitting you," Mr. John told reporters, "it's time to retire!"

You see, Tommy John's dentist happens to be Mark McGwire's father.  He was 46 years old when he finally decided to hang them up.

The quote above is from an article written by Scott Simon at NPR.

Featured here is a 1999 Fleer Greats of the Game Autographed Collection card of Tommy John in my collection.

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