Weekend Autograph Opportunity: Yasiel Puig's Thanksgiving Food Drive

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: 11/1/2018 - Dodgers Links - Kreshaw Decision is Delayed

As you surely know by now, the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw mutually decided to extend the deadline for the option decision to tomorrow, Friday at 4:00 PM ET. Clearly, this is because they are talking about something, and it's got to be related to some sort of extension. I feel fairly confident in saying that Kershaw will be staying Blue.

On top of that, the Dodgers and David Freese decided to extend their option decision, as well. This tells me that Freese is likely to be our new Chase Utley in the clubhouse. He provides excellent veteran depth on the infield and a solid bat off the bench. I look forward to him continuing his career in Los Angeles.

BTW, the photo above of Brooklyn Dodger outfielder Gene Hermanski posing for a pic is undated (auction link), but is likely from spring training in the late-40's. As you know, he is famous for commenting that the team should all wear Jackie Robinson's number so as to confuse a potential sniper in the stands during a series in St. Louis in 1948. His comment got huge laughs in the clubhouse and broke a lot of tension that had been built up.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1951 Roy Campanella is named the National League MVP -- his first of three MVP's he would win. In 1966 Sandy Koufax becomes the first three-time winner of the Cy Young Award. He is a unanimous winner for the second-straight year. This is the last year that only one award is given for pitchers in both leagues. In 2000 Jim Tracy is named manager of the Dodgers. In 2005 the Brooklyn Cyclones, a Mets Single-A farmclub, unveiled their Jackie Robinson/Pee Wee Reese bronze sculpture at their stadium -- then known as KeySpan Park. See it on the right. In 2007 Joe Torre is named the new Dodgers manager.
• Happy Birthday, Red Owens, Larry French, Art Parks, Fernando Valenzuela& Eddie Williams!

Dodgers 60th Anniversary Sets - The 2010's - #36 to #42

Lastly, here is a look at the final 2018 Dodgers 60th anniversary baseball card set. This time it features the design from this years flagship set - 2018. Furthermore, the mystery seventh card in this set is of Yasiel Puig. He debut as a rookie in Dodger Blue in 2013.

Additionally, I'd like to thank Andy from the Stadium Fantasium blog for sending me a complete set. Thanks, Andy!

#36 Cody Bellinger

Blog Kiosk: 10/30/2018 - Dodgers Links - Happy Halloween!

I can't wait for Spring.

Check out the above March 5, 1955 AP wire photo of Duke Snider practicing bunting during Spring Training at Vero Beach (eBay Link). Carl Furilio can be seen behind him, and I believe that's Jim Gilliam to Furillo's right.

Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Stephen McKeever, Hardie Henderson, Leo Dickerman, Fred McGriff, Oreste Marrero & Javy Guerra!

Dodgers 60th Anniversary Sets - The 2000's - #29 to #35

Now that the season is officially over I figure it is now time to finally put up pics of the last two Dodger Stadium giveaway 60th Anniversary sets. Featured below are the cards from the 2000's -- using the Topps 2001 Baseball design. I'll have scans of the final set tomorrow.

As with the prior three sets, the first six cards highlight Bellinger, Turner, Seager, Jansen, Taylor and Utley. The seventh card honors Clayton Kershaw -- whose rookie cards hit the market in 2006 in Bowman and 2008 as a part of Topps flagship set.

Lastly, I'd like to thank Andy from the Stadium Fantasium blog for sending me a complete set. Thanks, Andy!

#29 Cody Bellinger

Blog Kiosk: 10/30/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out Gil Hodges and Carl Furillo in the above September 20, 1959 AP press photo I ran across on eBay (link here). It says in the descriptor:

THEY ARE IN FIRST PLACE - Gil Hodges, left, and Carl Furillo who got some World Series experience as Dodgers from Brooklyn, are two happy players in the dressing room today after the Los Angeles club went into first place in the hot National League race with an 8-2 win over the San Francisco Giants. Furillo doubled in two runs in the a big ninth inning rally.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 the Dodgers sell Ebbets Field to real estate developer Marvin Kratter. The sale includes an initial three-year lease for the team and is eventually extended two more years. This sale is the first clear signal that the franchise would be seeking a new home soon. In 1963 Sandy Koufax is named the National League MVP Award winner. In 2007 it is announced that manager Grady Little is leaving the Dodgers with a year left in his contract. 
• Happy Birthday, Bobby Bragan, Chet Kehn & Tom Brennan!