Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Sax, Campanis, Johnstone, Leary, Williams, Santana and Alvarez

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 Sax will be signing autographs at the Sports Authentics store at the Puente Hills Mallthis coming Saturday, June 3rd from 11:00 Am to 2:00 PM. Go here or here for information.

Sports Authentics - Puente Hills Mall
1600 South Azusa Avenue
Rowland Heights, CA, 91748
(626)912-8777

Blog Kiosk: 6/1/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Ryu was excellent. He went six strong innings, striking out four, walking just one and allowing only one earned run. Per Joe Harris at MLB.com:

"During the warmup, when I was doing long tosses in the bullpen, I found out that all my four pitches were working to a pretty good level, so I knew I was going to have a pretty good outing," Ryu said through an interpreter. "I just wanted to make sure that I mixed them up."

Unfortunately, the Dodgers offense took the day off. They could only muster a single run in the 2-1 loss.

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1955 the Brooklyn Dodgers set a franchise record for hitting six home runs in a game during their victory over the Milwaukee Braves at Ebbets Field. Duke Snider hit three homers in the contest (becoming the first Dodger to do it twice), to go along with home runs by Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese and Roy Campanella. In 1962 Don Drysdale defeated the Philadelphia Phillies for the 13th consecutive time - a streak that began in 1958. I remember this next incident so well. In 1997 Wilton Guerrero shattered hit bat during an at-bat and immediately scrambled to pick up the bat pieces instead of running to first base. Obviously, home plate umpire Steve Ripley got suspicious and subsequently searched the bat remains. He found cork and ejected Guerrero from the game. He would be suspended for eight games.
• Happy Birthday, Otto Miller, Ty Tyson, Ray Moore, Chuck Templeton, Ken McMullen & Derek Lowe!
  

Blog Kiosk: 5/31/2017 - Dodgers Links - Six Game Winning Streak and First Place

It feels like a brand new day, eh?

After weeks of toiling the Dodgers finally find themselves on top of the heap. Per Scott Chasen and Alaina Getzenberg at MLB.com:

"Are we really [in first]?" Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, when asked about the division race. "We're winning baseball games right now, but I think the intent right now is to focus on the day and not worry about the standings. ... We've done a pretty good job of that."

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1937 the Brooklyn Dodgers ended Carl Hubbell's consecutive-game winning streak at 24 (over two season) at the Polo Grounds by defeating the Giants, 10-3. In 1948 Tommy Lasorda, as a member of the Schenectady Blue Jays in the Phillies system, struck out 25 batters in a 15 inning game to defeat the Amsterdam Rugmakers.  Lasorda has said in the past that he likely threw more than 300 pitches that day. In 1965 the Dodgers, for the first time in history, field an all switch-hitting infield in the second game of a doubleheader against the Reds.  The players were Wes Parker, Jim Lefebvre, Maury Wills and Jim Gilliam.  In 1968 Don Drysdale pitched his fifth consecutive shutout -- while on his way to breaking the scoreless innings streak. This is the game where a Giants batter was called out on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch since he was ruled to have not made an attempt to get out of the way of the pitch.
• Happy Birthday, George Smith, Kenny Lofton & Dave Roberts!
  

2017 Topps Now - #198 - MLB Players Honor Veterans on Memorial Day - Kershaw

In commemoration of this weekends Memorial Day weekend activities Topps has issued a 2017 Topps Now card for fans to add to their collections. It featured six ballplayers on both the front and back; including Clayton Kershaw (on the reverse). Go here to check it out and order.

Proceeds from the sale of the card will be donated to various Military and Veteran charities though MLB Charities.

UPDATE: The print run for this card is 539 copies.

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Blog Kiosk: 5/30/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Rich Hill was dominant against the Cardinals yesterday afternoon. He went five strong innings, allowing just two hits, two walks and one earned run. Best yet, the Dodgers bullpen recorded four straight scoreless innings to help the Dodger win their fifth consecutive game. Per Scott Chasen and Joe Harris at MLB.com:

"Those guys did a heck of a job tonight with the bullpen," Hill said. "It's a reason why they're the best in baseball, so it's a lot of fun to see."

Per Rowan Kaver at Dodger Insider:

“I feel much more comfortable where I am now, getting my hand out of my glove, getting timing down,” Hill said. “It’s huge. You could see it today, it was much more crisp and clean and the ball was coming out much more efficiently.”

Pic above via SportsNet LA on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1946 Boston Braves outfielder Bama Rowell became the first player to hit the Bulova clock located above the right field scoreboard with a long drive at Ebbets Field.  His wallop shattered the clock face, causing glass to fall on the field and onto Dodger outfielder Dixie Walker. The event is said to have been the inspiration for a similar incident found in the book The Natural that was written by Brooklyn author Bernard Malamud. In 1962 Maury Wills becomes the 7th player in history to hit home runs from each side of the plate during a single game.  The feat was accomplished against the Mets during the first game of a doubleheader that afternoon.
• Happy Birthday, Jesse Whiting, Al Mamaux, Ed Rakow & Manny Ramirez!
  

2017 Topps Now - #194 - Cody Bellinger - Fastest in Club History to Reach 10 Career HR's

A few weeks ago Cody Bellinger become the first Dodger player in the modern era (since 1900) to hit five home runs in his first 11 career games in the major leagues. Now, this past Sunday Cody is the fastest Dodger ever to have walloped 10 home runs at the start of their career -- at 31 games.

This feat breaks Yasiel Puig's record setting mark of 44 games in 2013.

To honor this accomplishment Topps has issued a 2017 Topps Now card, and they made a limited number of certified autographed variations cards available. Unfortunately, all of those autographed cards are now sold out as of this posting. Go here to check out and order the normal base card. It'll be available until Tuesday morning. On the reverse it reads: