A Peek at the Kirk Gibson Special Edition Bobblehead

As I'm sure you've heard, Opening Week at Dodger Stadium will feature a partnership between the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) and the Kirk Gibson Foundation to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s Disease. Proceeds from the 50-50 raffle and the silent auction will go towards this effort. Additionally, Dodger hero Kirk Gibson will be on-hand to throw the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day (Thursday, March 29th). Then the following evening (Friday, March 30th) the first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive a special edition bobblehead that celebrates Gibson's walk-off home run during Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.  This bobble is in addition to the ten bobbleheads already slated to be released later on in the season.

To the right is a first look at this bobble. Per a Dodgers press release:

The Kirk Gibson Foundation (more information: KirkGibsonFoundation.org) is committed to raising money and awareness for Parkinson’s Research by promoting collaboration, cooperation and teamwork, and on Opening Day, the Dodgers and LADF will support that mission by donating the proceeds from the LADF 50-50 Raffle. LADF will also hold an online auction from April 9-30 for 88 limited-edition, Gibson-autographed bobbleheads and the Dodgers’ game-worn jerseys from the Friday, March 30 game with proceeds benefitting the Kirk Gibson Foundation. Gibson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2015. 

“I’d like to thank the Dodger organization, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and Dodger fans for their support of the Kirk Gibson Foundation and Parkinson’s Disease research. We’re going to be able to help a lot of people through the money raised during Opening week,” said Gibson. “I’m honored to help kick off the Dodgers’ 60th anniversary celebration, and am looking forward to re-living many magical moments at Dodger Stadium on Opening Day and on my bobblehead night.” 

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Blog Kiosk: 2/23/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

It was photo day yesterday for the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch, and I think it's fair to say that all had a lot of fun. Folks were hamming it up and even kissing at every opportunity.

Photos above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterday. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1934 the Dodgers signed Casey Stengel, a coach for them at the time, to be their manager. 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. He would make the Major League roster as a pinch hitter and appeared seven games before dislocating his shoulder in April. He would return again in September.
• Happy Birthday, Ron Hunt, Grant Thatcher, Phil Haugstad, John Shelby, Bobby Bonilla & Luke Prokopec!

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Steve Sax on Saturday

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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Don Sutton was originally scheduled to appear, but is now unable to. In his place will be former Dodgers second baseman and fan favorite Steve Sax. He will be signing autographs at the Grand Opening of an Dick's Sporting Good store in Santa Maria on Saturday, February 24th from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM. Go here for more information.

**WRISTBAND REQUIRED! Free autograph signing at Grand Opening Event. Wristbands to be handed out upon store opening at 8am. You may leave and come back to enter the autograph line before the start of the signing.

DICK'S Sporting Goods - Enos Ranch
775 East Betteravia Road
Santa Maria, CA, 93454
(805)863-9065

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2018 Topps Industry Conference - All the Dodgers Cards

This past weekend Topps held its first ever Topps Industry Conference in Arizona, and as you might expect hobby shop attendees where given special promotional cards. Thankfully, a checklist of those cards is now available, and as you can see there are numerous Dodger players available. Go here to check out a complete checklist. Below is a Dodger checklist. Unfortunately, I have only seen the Mike Piazza autograph and Kershaw autograph relic cards so far.

Autograph

• #TSUM-AV Alex Verdugo
• #TSUM-CK Clayton Kershaw
• #TSUM-MP Mike Piazza
• #TSUM-SK Sandy Koufax

#TSUM-MP Mike Piazza (#/3)    #TSUM-CK Clayton Kershaw (#/3)

Blog Kiosk: 2/20/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I like this new motto.

This morning Dodger broadcaster Alanna Rizzo, via her twitter, shared the clubs motto for the upcoming season: "LA: Determined."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1936 the Dodgers and Yankees complete their very first trade with each other. Brooklyn sent Buzz Boyle, Johnny McCarthy and $40,000 to the New York Yankees for Buddy Hassett. In 1984 Pedro Guerrero signed a five-year $7MM contract to stay a Dodger. In 2017 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Franklin Gutierrez to a one-year $2.6MM contract. He would only get into 35 games (primarily as a pinch hitter) before shutting down in June due to an recurrence of ankylosing spondylitis.
• Happy Birthday, Charlie Babb & Jack Bolling!

Blog Kiosk: 2/19/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This is a good beginning.

Today is the first full squad workout for the Dodgers, and as you can see in the pic above (via @Dodgers on twitter) they began the morning huddled in the clubhouse like a team on a mission. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“I think it is a good sign,” (Dave) Roberts said. “It’s a good sign as far as those guys showing up wanting to work, and it’s our jobs as coaches to really understand we have a long way to go, so we’ve got to temper it a little bit. 

“It’s funny. Outside of the kind of normal pleasantries of seeing guys you hadn’t seen, it’s sort of business as usual, and I like that mindset here. It’s very workman-like, methodical, and that’s kind of what we want our ball club to be.”

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1983 22-year old Dodger hurler Fernando Valenzuela becomes the first ballplayer awarded an $1,000,000 salary during arbitration.
• Happy Birthday, Oscar Roettger, Dick Siebert, Gail Hopkins, Dave Stewart, Josh Reddick & Fabio Castillo!