Padres Series Starts Friday - Stadium Giveaways, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Friday against the San Diego Padres. Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand. Here are some important links:

• 2017 Broadcast Schedule
• Special Events Schedule
• Promotions & Giveaways Schedule
• Silent Auction Schedule 
• Friday Night Fireworks Schedule 

For this homestand against the Padres only the Dodgers have made the Taqui Changas that includes flour tortillas stuffed with smoked pork carnitas, California pepper sauce, shredded cheddar, shaved lettuce, Pico de Gallo and Sour Cream. See it on the right. It can be found at Reserve Section 32. 

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Friday, August 11th at 7:10 PM

TV: SportsNet LA, SNLA Spanish

Radio: 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020

2017 Topps Now -- #463 -- 80 Wins in 113 Games, Fastest in Franchise History

Featured here is a new 2017 Topps Now card that celebrates the accomplishments of the best team in Baseball. Go here to check it out and order. As you know, the Dodgers won their 80th game of the season last night, and that marks the fastest pace the franchise has ever experienced. In fact, that win put the team on a pace to win 115 games this year -- the highest win total in Dodger history. Not only that, they'll come shockingly close to tying the Major League mark for wins at 116 (held by both the 1906 Cubs and 2001 Mariners).

Players Weekend Brings Nicknames and Funny Socks

As I'm sure you know by know, the last weekend in August will be "Players Weekend" -- which happens to coincide with Little League World Series weekend in Williamsport. I mention that last part because the festivities that weekend is not only about celebrating each ballplayers personality and passion, but it's also an opportunity for them to be kids again.

Each player and coach on the field will get their own special uniform emblazoned with their own chosen nickname on the back, and the right sleeve of each jersey will have a patch with a blank space for them to write the name of a person or organization that was important to their development.

Obviously, the main draw for fans will be the goofy nicknames each player chooses, but I think there is something else worth noting first. Apparently, everyone will be wearing colorful and outrageous socks, as well. See what I mean on the right.

Blog Kiosk: 8/10/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The Dodgers just go about their winning ways. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“I think it’s more a testament to the guys on our team,” Wood said. “It’s literally been a different guy every night.” 

On Wednesday, it was Wood, the bullpen and the No. 7 and No. 8 hitters in the Dodger lineup leading them to their 33rd comeback win of the year and moving them to 68–0 when leading after eight innings. 

“It just shows we can come back and get teams late, and our bullpen’s good enough to shut them down late,” said Joc Pederson, whose RBI double tied the game at 2 before scoring the go-ahead run.

Last nights win was the 80th of the season. Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1966 former Dodger manager Chuck Dressen died at the age of 67. In 1979 Don Sutton recorded his 50th shutout as a Dodger -- setting a new franchise record -- when he defeated the Giants at Candlestick Park, 9-0. In 1995 the first forfeit in 16 years happened during a game between the Dodgers and Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. Following the ejection of Raul Mondesi and Tommy Lasorda in the ninth inning, fans starting throwing souvenir Baseballs onto the field. The balls were given to them as a game giveaway as they entered the stadium. Watch an ESPN news story about it here.
• Happy Birthday, Rocky Colavito & Al Osuna!

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Fernando and Kenley

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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Blog Kiosk: 8/9/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic, dated April 12, 1932, original type I International News Photo from Opening Day featuring three new Dodgers -- all of whom would eventually be inducted in the Hall of Fame -- that is currently on auction at RMY Auctions (link here). Per the description on the reverse:

A Trio of Newcomers at Brooklyn Opening
Three notables who came in for a large share of the attention at the game between Brooklyn and the Boston Braves which rang up the curtain on the new season at Ebbets Field this afternoon (Tuesday.) The new Brooklyn Men are, left to right: Hack Wilson, late of the Chicago Cubs; Max Carey, new manager; and George Kelly, another new recruit to the Brooklyn aggregation.

Unfortunately, the new faces did little to change Brooklyn's fortunes. After all, this team was still trying to shake off nearly two decades of futility experienced under Robbie Robinson's "Daffiness Boys".

On a side note, it was around this time that famed sports cartoonist Willard Mullin created the famous "Brooklyn Bum" caricature for the Dodgers.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1975 Davey Lopes stole his 32nd consecutive base without being caught, breaking Max Carey's 1922 record. He would steal six more bases before getting caught. His record would eventually be broken by Cardinal's speedster Vince Coleman in 1989.  In 1976 Pirates hurler John Candelaria no-hit the Dodgers at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. In 1979 longtime Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley died of congestive heart failure at the age of 75.
• Happy Birthday, John Grim, Leo Callahan, Johnny Mitchell, Tom Sunkel, Chuck Essegian, Claude Osteen, Matt Young & Drew Butera!