2016 Topps Dynasty Baseball - Kershaw's "On This Day" Autographed Patch Card

I've always been a bit dismissive of cards with a relic or game-used uniform pieces inserted within them.  Sure, they look cool sometimes, but how do you know if the uniform piece is real?  Fakes are unfortunately everywhere, and recent news detailing the FBI's continued prosecution of the scammers only emboldens my view that this stuff isn't worth the premium they sell for.

Then, Baseball started their MLB Authentication program, and suddenly fans/collectors had a means of receiving and verifying the legitimacy of various memorabilia items.  Soon thereafter, Topps joined the train and started to include MLB Authentication stickers on several of their higher-end cards.  Suddenly, doubt no longer is an issue, and I find myself singing a different tune.

Blog Kiosk: 12/15/2016 - Dodgers Links - Diaz, Buehler, Stripling and the Dodgers Holiday Party

The Dodgers and its foundation hosted more than 300 kids from local area schools at their annual Children’s Holiday Party at Dodger Stadium yesterday.  Players and alumni in attendance included Joc Pederson, Al Ferrera, Kenny Landreux and Dennis Powell.  Kids in attendance were greeted with Santa, lunch, a snow sled track, photos, toys and more.

Photos above of Pederson, Santa and some kids are via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics bu Jon from yesterdays party.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1968 Dodgers GM Al Campanis traded his own son, Jim Campanis, to the KC Royals.  In 1987 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Mike Davis to a contract.  He would eventually become a hero for taking a walk and stealing a base ahead of World Series hero Kirk Gibson.  In 2004 the Dodgers signed free agent second baseman Jeff Kent to a three year $21 million contract.  In 2009 the Dodgers trade Juan Pierre to the White Sox for two players to be named later - John Ely and Jon Link. 
• Happy Birthday, Aaron Miles & Doug Rau!

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Mike Singletary and the Dodger Holiday Sale

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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Football great Mike Singletary will be signing autographs at Sports Authentics in the Puente Hills Mall.  Go here for more information.

Sports Authentics
Puente Hills Mall 
1600 South Azusa Avenue, Suite 518
City of Industry, CA 91748626.581.2016

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This coming Saturday will also be the last 2016 Dodger Holiday Sales Event of the year at the "Top of the Park" store at Dodger Stadium.  It will include merchandise discounts, player autographs, photo ops and more.  Go here for more information.  Unfortunately, a player signing schedule is not available yet, so stay tuned.  I'll be sure to update this post once it has been announced. 

Saturday, December 17
Autograph Schedule

10:00am-12:00pm: Derrel Thomas
12:00pm-2:00pm: Kenny Landreaux
2:00pm-4:00pm: TBD

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Blog Kiosk: 12/14/2016 - Dodgers Links - Holt, Anderson and Jansen's Wedding

I am not sure if I've ever seen what the scoreboard looked like during Dodger games at the LA Coliseum.  So, when I came across the above pic I knew I had to make note of it.  Featured above is the Dodgers scoreboard from Game 5 of the 1959 World Series.  (eBay Auction Link)

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1954 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Sandy Koufax to a contract - a $6,000 salary and $14,000 bonus.  This made Sandy a "bonus baby" (having a bonus over $4,000) and required the Dodgers to keep him on the Major League roster for two years.  As a result, the Dodgers would option Tommy Lasorda to the Montreal Royals.  In 1990 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Brett Butler to a four-year $13 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, John Anderson, Charlie Hargreaves, Chris Heisey & Bill Buckner!

Thanks for Staying Blue, Justin Turner!

Oh, boy!  What a way to start a week.

Just when you thought the Dodgers flubbed the winter meetings they go ahead and make some waves.  It only goes to show you that all you need is a little patience.

It appears this past weekend was a turning point for two Dodger free agents, and I can't help but think that a little private gathering in Curaçao had something to do with it.  As you likely know, free agent reliever Kenley Jansen got hitched over the weekend, and among the Dodgers' in attendance was fellow free agent Justin Tuner (as evidenced by the photo tweeted by Turner on right). Now, both of them are expected to stay in Los Angeles.

As you know, we got news that Kenley Jansen had inked a five year/$80 million contract to stay in Los Angeles on Monday - although, still unconfirmed.  Then, almost immediately afterward, rumors spread that the Dodgers had also agreed to basic terms with Justin Turner, most noticeably via a tweet by Ken Rosenthal (btw, Jon Heyman tweets similar numbers):

Blog Kiosk: 12/13/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Few photos tell a story like the one seen above.  Featured is Jackie Robinson with David Campanella, son of Roy, and a young lad named Larry Solomon (possibly the photographers son) at the "Seated Lincoln" memorial statue at the Essex County Courthouse in Newark, NJ. (eBay Auction Link) This photo provides a poignant look at the the man who broke the color barrier in Baseball paying homage at a statue that celebrates the man who helped free the country.  Per the description on the reverse:

Making the eighth annual pilgrimage to the statue of Abraham Lincoln, 9-year-old Larry Solomon places a wreath of flowers in the arms of the Great Emancipator.  Looking on are Brooklyn Dodger star Jackie Robinson and David Campanella, son of Dodger catcher, Roy Campanella.  Thousands of persons were flocking to the cemetery in Springfield, IL, and other Lincoln shrines to pay tribute to him on the 142nd anniversary of his birth, Feb. 12, 1951.

BTW, the pic was taken by Harlem based photographer Chick Solomon for ACME.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1956 the Dodgers tried to do the unthinkable.  They announced the trade that would send legendary second baseman Jackie Robinson to the hated NY Giants for pitcher Dick Littlefield and $35,000. It would be voided the next day.  Jackie would then announce his retirement from the game a few weeks later.  In 2001 the Dodgers received Cesar Izturis and Paul Quantril in a trade with Toronto for Chad Ricketts and Luke Prokopec.  In 2003 the Dodgers traded Kevin Brown to the Yankees for pitchers Yhency Brazoban and Jeff Weaver.  In 2005 the Dodgers signed free agent veteran catcher Sandy Alomar.  Also, they traded troubled outfielder Milton Bradley and Antonio Perez to the A's for Andre Ethier on the same day.
• Happy Birthday, Nate Oliver, Ricky Nolasco, George Shuba, Carl Erskine & Billy Loes!