A Quick Autograph Announcement: Bobby Castillo and Mike Brito in Whittier

I thought I should make this quick post about an autograph opportunity I just found out.  It happens tomorrow afternoon in Whittier.

Former Dodger Bobby Castillo and famed Dodger scout Mike Brito will be at the Radisson Hotel in Whittier on Sunday evening, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. 

$10 - any item

$5 - inscriptions

This is a part of the Sports Viewing Venue put together by Kenny De Baca.  Go here for more information.

Radisson Hotel

7320 Greenleaf Avenue

Whittier, CA

Hat Tip: True to the Blue

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Blog Kiosk: 11/30/2013 - Dodgers Links - Sax into Sacramento HOF, Cuba and a Hanley Extension?

Steve Garvey, along with Steve Sax, was at the Westfield Topanga Mall yesterday afternoon.  Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013, and go here to see more photos.  The mall tour continues at the West Covina Mall this afternoon with Steve Garvey and Steve Yeager signing autographs for fans.  Go here for information.

• Via Dionisio Soldevila at ESPNDeportes.com, "Hanley Negotiates Extension with LA".  It's in Spanish.  Below is a poor translation of a quote:

"We are negotiating something, but we go step by step. I have 1 year left, and I want to remain in LA for the rest of my career because they have treated me very well," said Ramírez on having taken part in a celebration of the Classic World cup of Baseball in the National Palace.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers sign Elbert, Baxter, Butera to deals: Pacts for 2014 come ahead of Monday's deadline to tender contracts".
• Steve Sax to be inducted into the 2014 Class of the Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame.  Go here for information.  The ceremony will be in January.  He will also be inducted with former Dodger Leron Lee; who currently holds the Japanese record for highest lifetime batting average (4,000 min. at-bats).
• ICYMI.  Listen to this past Wednesday's Dodger Talk with Kevin Kennedy and David Vassegh.  Dan Haren is a special guest.
• Mark Saxon at ESPN writes, "Is the Dodgers starting rotation settled?"

"If something else comes our way, we'll take a look at it. I'm not going to close the door on any more starters," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said during the conference call to announce Haren's deal.

• Via Ron Cervenka  at Think Blue LA, "Could baseball bring an end to Cuba Trade Embargo?"

All of this being said, it was reported on Thursday in an article posted on the National Public Radio (NPR) website that Cuban authorities have lifted a 50-year ban on players signing professional contracts abroad. It does not, however, include the MLB.

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Blog Kiosk: 11/29/2013 - Dodgers Links - Happy BDay Vin, Nolasco Signs with Twins and Lilly Retires

Happy 86th Birthday, Vin Scully!  Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.

• Via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times, he hears from AJ Ellis about his trip to Australia.  AJ even addresses the Kirk Gibson comments.

“I want to leave it and let it go,” Ellis said. “He said what he said. They’re making more … I don’t know what to say. I’m honored the Dodgers thought highly enough of me to let me represent what I think is definitely the best organization in the NL West and the best organization in baseball, in my opinion.”

• Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, Ted Lilly will retire.

"It's principally the pain in my back and shoulder. I'm having problems there. I feel like I can't return to being the pitcher I was a few years ago."

• Jeff Miller at the Thrillist writes, "19 things in LA we're totally thankful for".  Be sure to check out #16.
• The Kersahw's shared their last day in Zambia in support of Kershaw's Challenge.  Read all about it here.
• Via Harold Uhlman at Think Blue LA, "The Dodgers Did It Their Way".  Uhlman explores "The Dodgers Way to Play Baseball", and laments the loss of that tradition today.
• Thank you, Ricky!  You we're great while you were here, and wish you'll the best of luck.  Via Scooby Axson at SI Wire, "Report: Twins, pitcher Ricky Nolasco agree to 4-year, $49 million deal".
• Via Jon Schorah at Baseball Professor, "Alexander Guerrero: 2014 Fantasy Sleeper".
• Via Marc Normandin at Sports on Earth, "Pitch Perfect?"  Normandin takes an in-depth look at the Dodgers pitching staff
• Via Craig Calcaterra at Hardball Talk, "Time Warner wants to charge a lot of money for the new Dodgers channel".

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Happy Thanksgiving!

I'd like to extend a Blue Heaven Thanksgiving greeting to you and yours.

Happy Holiday Folks!

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2013 Heritage High Numbers Set - the Dodgers Base Cards

For the second year in a row, Topps released a Heritage High Numbers box set directly to collectors.  All you have to do is go to their online store to order directly from them.  Last year, the print run for the update set was set at 1,000.  I am uncertain if this years set is that limited.  All I do know is that, as of this posting, sets are still available for sale through Topps.  Go here to check it out.

The High Numbers set caps off the entire 2013 Heritage brand.  It includes rookies and ballplayers that the original Heritage set left out.  Go here to see an entire checklist.

Only 4 Dodgers are in the base set.  Check them out below.  BTW, the Puig card is already selling between $25 to $35 a piece on eBay.  Also, there are 3 autographed Dodgers cards, but I have to see any.  As soon as I do, I will post them up.  The 3 autographed cards are for Hyun-Jin Ryu (likely a redemption, #ROA-HR), Paco Rodriguez (#ROA-PR) and Yasiel Puig (#ROA-YP).

#H503 Hyun-Jin Ryu                             #H526 Matt Magill

#H527 Juan Uribe                               #H584 Yasiel Puig

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Blog Kiosk: 11/27/2013 - Dodgers Links - An Interview with Jansen, Jeff Kent and Cruz to Japan

Here's a vintage photo of the construction work being done to build Dodger Stadium at Chavez Ravine.  It was posted up by a twitter account called @Dodgers_History.  You should check them out. They've recently put up a bunch of vintage stadium pics from Brooklyn and LA.

• Via Amanda Rykoff at The Outside Corner, "Curaçao Baseball Week 2013: Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen stays humble".  Here's an interview with our closer.

Amanda Rykoff: You switched from catcher to power pitcher. What was the adjustment like for you?

Kenley Jansen: It was a tough decision back then. To me I feel like it was a life learning experience. I almost wanted to quit and I wanted to ask for my release. I was almost suspended. Talking to my family and all these people and I decided to give it a try. And now today -- it took me a year to be in the major leagues -- and today I’m a closer just doing it.

• Via Bryan Hoch at MLB.com, "Mattingly realistic when it comes to Hall chances".

"My first year of eligibility, I pretty much knew I wasn't going to make it or anything," Mattingly told ESPN earlier this year. "I don't pay that much attention to it, to be honest with you. It's to the point now where it comes up and you're like, 'Oh, it's over,' and you go on."

• In other HOF ballot news, Jeff Kent is on the ballot for the first time.  Via Chris Haft at MLB.com, "Team success mattered most to Hall candidate Kent".

"When the bell rang for me, I was fighting to win," said Kent, who hit 377 home runs and captured the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 2000 with the Giants. "All I wanted to do was win. I knew that if I focused on winning, I would be OK. And it worked out that way."

• Panini America is reviving the Donruss Baseball card brand.  Via Chris Olds at Beckett, he shares some preview pics for 2014 Donruss Baseball cards; including the Yasiel Puig card on the right.
• Via Greg Zakwin at Yahoo, "The Biggest Turkey in Los Angeles Dodgers History: Frank McCourt".
• Night Owl Cards proves once again why it's one of the best Baseball card hobby blogs around.  Check out his latest post, "If you can't join 'em count 'em", that ranks Baseball cards sets by highest percentage of mustached ballplayers. 
• Skip Schumaker has signed a 2-year contract to play for the Reds, via USA Today.
• Via AM570, listen to Ned Colletti tell Petros and Money what made this season so tough.
• An old friend alert!  Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, Luis Cruz goes to Japan - "Luis Cruz Signs With Chiba Lotte Marines".

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