Dodgers Memorabilia at Lelands Current Auction

Lelands current auction, dubbed the "Steel Curtain" auction due to large number of Pittsburgh Steelers jersey's available, includes several fantastic Dodger items.  I'll highlight a couple of them here and focus on a group of other stuff from the collection of former Dodger pitcher Claude Osteen later on. 

Blog Kiosk: 2/24/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The Dodgers 2017 yearbook is now available, and it features both Dave Roberts and Corey Seager on the cover.  Go here to order online.  Also, limited quantities will be available at Camelback Ranch.

As for current spring activities, the Dodgers held their third full-squad workout yesterday.  Julio Urías, Adam Liberatore, Grant Dayton, Josh Sborz and Yaisel Sierra all threw their first live bullpens.  Scott Kazmir and Hyun-Jin Ryu are throwing live bullpens today.  BTW, Cactus League play begins tomorrow with the Dodgers playing the White Sox at Camelback Ranch -- starting at 1:05 PM and will be aired on SNLA.  Clayton Kershaw and Alex Wood are scheduled to pitch in the game. 

(Kenley Jansen, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017)

Go here to check out a bunch of pics taken by Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo from yesterday.  Below are more links to check out:

• Thia Day in Dodger History:  In 1940 the Dodgers got soon-to-be fan favorite and Brooklyn mainstay Pee Wee Reese from the Red Sox for some players to be named later (none of whom amounted to much), $35k in cash and a rusty bus (just kidding).  In 2001 the Dodgers traded Devon White to the Brewers for Marquis Grissom. 
• Happy Birthday, Nancy Bea Hefley, Con Lucid, Fred Sington, Gary Moore, Eddie Murray & Miguel Rojas!
  

Blog Kiosk: 2/23/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Training and preparation continues apace at Camelback Ranch for the Dodgers.  There are a total of 63 ballplayers now in camp; including 31 pitchers and 32 position players.  Kenta Maeda, Sergio Romo, Luis Avilan, Josh Fields, Pedro Baez, Brock Stewart and Chase De Jong all threw their first live bullpens of the spring yesterday.  Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Steve Geltz, Josh Ravin, Jacob Rhame, Fabio Castillo, Madison Younginer and Patrick Schuster threw regular bullpen sessions

BTW, tomorrow the Dodgers will hold their annual Photo Day in the morning.  Players will be posing for Dodger team photographer Jon SooHoo, SNLA, MLB Photos, MLB.com, Topps, Getty Images, Associated Press, USA Today and LA Times.  This is where many of photos used for Baseball cards released later this year come from.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterday.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1960 the demolition of Ebbets Field in Brooklyn begins.  In 2009 the Dodgers signed free agent first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz to a minor league contract.
• Happy Birthday, Grant Thatcher, Phil Haugstad, John Shelby, Bobby Bonilla & Luke Prokopec!
  

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: A Couple Kings on Friday

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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LA Kings centerman Nick Dowd and goalie Jeff Zatkoff will be signing free autographs at a Staples store in Burbank on Friday, February 24th from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM.    Go here for information. 

STAPLES - Burbank
2080 Empire Ave.
Burbank, CA. 91504

*Appearance Will Last 60 Minutes. One Autographed Item And One Photo Per Person. No Exceptions, Please. Please Note That We Can Typically Accommodate 150 Fans During A 60 Minute Appearance. The First 150 Fans In Line Will Be Wristbanded. We Will Make Every Effort To Accommodate More Fans If Time Permits, But Please Be Advised That Only Fans With Wristbands Are Guaranteed Autographs.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

A Whit Wyatt Vintage Pin -- The Dodger Headhunter

I came across something at Hake's current auction that was entirely foreign to me.  Featured above is a 1" diameter, circa 1940's, Brooklyn Dodgers pin of right-handed hurler Whit Wyatt.  (Auction Link) As you can see, it includes bold colors not typically seen in pins from this period.  Additionally, as I was writing this post it came to my attention that I had not yet shared a group of vintage Dodger pins from this era in my collection.  So, I'll work on doing that soon.  In the meantime, I thought it'd be fun to take a brief look at this long-forgotten Dodger arm.

Blog Kiosk: 2/22/2017 - Dodgers Links - Buehler, Turner, AGon, Romo and Seager

The Dodgers held their first full-squad workout yesterday, and I think it's safe to say that everyone in Blue is excited.  Per Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA:

“It’s one of the most exciting days of the year, getting a chance to get the whole club together, see all the guys after the off-season even though I’ve been staying in touch with most of them,” said the de facto clubhouse leader. “Just kind of shoot the s**t a little bit and catch up, see what’s going on. Other than the whole physicals and testing and that part of it, this is a pretty fun day for us.”

The photo above of Justin Turner via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterday.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  First, I just want to mention that today in 1980 was the "Miracle on Ice" -- when a ragtag group of American college kids defeated the USSR in hockey during the Winter Olympics.  In 2009 the Dodgers signed free agent infielder Orlando Hudson to a one-year $3.4 million contract.  In 2014 the Dodgers signed Cuban infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena to a five-year $25 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Ed Silch, Clarence Mitchell, Bill Hall, Roy Spencer, Bob Wilson & Steve Colyer!