Weekend Autograph Opportunity: Max Muncy and Charlie Culberson

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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First Rounder JT Ginn Already Has a Bunch of Cards to Chase After - Check Them All Out Here

Now that you know a little bit about our first round pick, I figured it be a good time to check out the numerous Baseball cards that already exist for the 19-year-old hurler. That's right. This high school kid already has a dozen licensed cards to chase after. Check them all out below. If I happen to miss any cards please let me know.

2017 Leaf Metal Perfect Game All-American Baseball

Metal Autographs

#BA-JTG JT Ginn

Blog Kiosk: 6/6/2018 - Dodgers Links - "We're Back in the Mix"

See... There was nothing to worry about. After what felt like a lifetime, the Dodgers have finally reach the brim of the giant hole that they dug for themselves at the start of this season. They are now officially at .500 with a record of 30-30 and 102 games left to play. Best yet, they are just two games back of the lead. Per Bob Cohn at MLB.com:

"We're back in the mix, and now the goal is to keep playing good baseball," Roberts said after his team won for the 14th time in 18 games, a 5-0 victory over the Pirates at PNC Park paced by three home runs and another splendid outing by starter Ross Stripling.

Photo above of Ross Stripling via Justin K. Aller/Getty at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1944 the Brooklyn Dodgers received infielder Eddie Stanky from the Cubs for Bob Chipman. In 1957 the first fog out in major league history occurs during a game at Ebebts Field against the Cubs. After an 86-minute delay the game is halted during the second inning. In 1988 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent slugger Raul Mondesi out of the Dominican Republic. In 1990 the Dodgers recorded their 8,000th franchise victory as they defeat the Braves, 7-5. In 1994 Mike Piazza hit the longest home run ever recorded at Joe Robbie Stadium in Florida. It was off Mark Gardner and is estimated to have traveled 477 feet. In 2006 the number six plays a huge part in the day. The Dodgers, on the sixth day of the sixth month of the sixth year of the century score six runs in the sixth inning during the sixth game of the current homestand.
• Happy Birthday, Fresco Thompson, Jeff Williams & Mark Ellis!

Dodgers Pick Righty Michael Grove in the Second Round - Welcome to the Blue!

The Dodgers second pick yesterday afternoon has a story similar to a rookie currently making waves with the Dodgers. Like Walker Buehler, Michael Grove, the Dodgers 2nd Round Pick, had to have Tommy John Surgery as a young lad. Unlike Buehler, Grove had his done just over a year ago while Walker had his performed immediately after signing a pro contract with the Dodgers three years ago. So, in a way Grove is way ahead of Buehler. BTW, you can follow the right-hander on twitter here: @mgrove_2. Per a Dodgers press release:

In the second round, Los Angeles selected West Virginia University right-handed pitcher Michael Grove. The Wheeling, West Virginia native missed the 2018 season, but prior to missing his junior campaign he went 5-5 with a 3.13 ERA (32 ER/92.0 IP) in 25 collegiate games (16 starts), while also holding the opposition to a .220 batting average. As a sophomore in 2017, he made nine starts, going 3-1 with a 2.87 ERA and striking out 61 batters against 15 walks in 47.0 innings before sustaining a season-ending arm injury. As a freshman in 2016, he went 2-4 with a 3.40 ERA and collected one save in 16 games (seven starts) for the Mountaineers. Grove was also named to the 2016 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention team and the 2017 All-Big 12 Second Team. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound pitcher was scouted by Dodgers’ scout Jonah Rosenthal.

Dodgers Pick Right-Hander JT Ginn in the First Round - Welcome to the Blue!

Yesterday, dreams were fulfilled when both high school and college aged kids got selected to begin a pro career. For the Dodgers, picking 30th overall in this years draft, they decided to dip into those high school prep waters and selected a high-heat 19-year-old right-hander by the name of JT Ginn. The kid stands over six feet tall and throws a baseball faster than just about any other amateur in the game today. He is also on twitter: @JT_Ginn3. Per a Dodgers press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today selected right-handed pitcher J.T. Ginn with their first pick (30th overall) in the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Brandon High School (MS).

Blog Kiosk: 6/5/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

As you know the Dodgers selected high-schooler JT Ginn as their 1st Round Pick (30th overall) last night, and as we collectors have come to expect he already has a bunch of Baseball cards to chase after. Unusually, our 2nd Round Pick, Michael Grove, a college pitcher out of West Virginia, does not appear to have any cards on the market. Nevertheless, I'll be sure to be making a couple of fantasy Baseball cards for both of them soon. So stay tuned for that.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day In Dodgers History: In 1977 the Dodgers retired former manager Walter Alston's uniform number #24 at Dodger Stadium. He compiled a 2040-1613 (.558) record for the franchise. It was also Old-Timer's Day as the Dodgers defeated the Padres, 4-2.
• Happy Birthday, Bill Maloney, Fred Mitchell, Duke Sims & Russ Ortiz!