Wednesday, March 18, 2015

2015 Topps Tribute Baseball - The Dodger Base Cards

The first premium Baseball card set of the season is now available in stores.  It is Topps' Tribute brand, and it's as shiny as a chrome bumper seen on Pimp My Ride - and just as loud.  Boxes will run you about $250 a piece, and you are guaranteed three autographed and three relic/memorabilia cards.  Go here for a complete checklist.

There are five Dodger players in the 100-card base set.  Check them all out below.  I hope to have photos of the insert cards next week.

#22 Jackie Robinson                              #50 Clayton Kershaw

#51 Joc Pederson                                    #70 Sandy Koufax

#89 Yasiel Puig

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *
By at Wednesday, March 18, 2015 0 comments
Labels: , , , , ,

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Paul Lo Duca in Rowland Heights and Jeff Kent in Texas

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.

---------------------------

If you're heading out to the ballgames in San Antonio this weekend at the Alamodome as a part of "Big League Weekend" then you're in for a treat.  Former Dodger and potential Hall of Famer Jeff Kent will be singing free autographs prior to the start of Friday's game between the Dodgers and Rangers.  Go here for information.  I do not know the exact time of his appearance.  BTW, former Ranger Ruben Sierra will also be signing free autographs prior to Saturday's game.

Their appearances are part of a sports collectors convention that is happening concurrent with the ballgames at the stadium.  It is located in the South End Club Level of the Alamodome, and admission is free with a game ticket.


---------------------------
Former Dodger catcher Paul Lo Duca will be signing autographs at the office of Dr. Alex C. Liu in Rowland Heights on Saturday, March 21st from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM.  Go here for information.
Dr. Alex C. Liu OD
19735 E. Colima Rd. 
Rowland Heights, CA 91748

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *
By at Wednesday, March 18, 2015 0 comments
Labels: , ,

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 16 / Home Game 8


Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

--------------------------
Chicago Cubs (6-9-1) at Los Angeles Dodgers (8-2-5)
Wednesday, March 18, 2015 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Camelback Ranch

RHP Brandon McCarthy (0-0, 3.60) vs. RHP Jake Arietta (1-1 1.50)    
TV: SNLA Radio: None

--------------------------
(Yasiel Puig, pic via @MLB on twitter)

WINNING TIME: The Dodgers, who have the Cactus League’s best winning percentage at .800 and are unbeaten in their last six games, take on the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch this afternoon. The last time the Dodgers lost was March 11 in Mesa, when they were beaten by these same Cubs, 4-3. Los Angeles won the season series over Chicago last year, 4-3, and will play six regular-season games against the Cubs, June 22-24 at Wrigley Field and Aug. 28-30 at Dodger Stadium.

AND SO IT HAS BEEN DONE: The Dodgers exploded for 11 runs and 15 hits yesterday, but gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth and finished in an 11-11 tie with the Rangers in Surprise. The five ties for Los Angeles this spring (with 15 Cactus League games left) equals the franchise mark for ties in Spring Training, previously reached in 2006 and 2014.
(Kendrick Home Run, via Dodgers on tumblr)
  • New Dodger Howie Kendrick was 2-for-2 and hit a long three-run homer to the deepest part of center field yesterday, giving him six RBI this spring, which ties Darnell Sweeney, Kyle Jensen and Scott Schebler for the team lead. Kendrick is also hitting .364 during his first spring in blue.
  • The Dodgers’ 18 home runs rank fourth in the Cactus League, trailing the Giants (22), Cubs (19) and Padres (19).

TEXAS TWO-STEP: Big League Weekend, with the Dodgers taking on the Rangers Friday night and Saturday afternoon at the Alamodome in San Antonio, is almost here! The traveling party will depart Camelback Ranch tomorrow at 5:40 p.m. Erik Bedard and Zack Greinke are expected to start the two San Antonio exhibition games for the Dodgers, with a roster that includes Yasmani Grandal, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig, and Joc Pederson.

TELL YOUR STORY: Major League Baseball has officially launched the 2015 Honorary Bat Girl Contest, which will recognize one fan per MLB Club who has been affected by breast cancer and has demonstrated a commitment to battling the disease.  Dodger fans, ages 18 and older, can now share stories about themselves or loved ones who are “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer” by visiting HonoraryBatGirl.com for a chance to be recognized on the field, Sunday, May 17 (1:10 p.m. vs. Rockies). Fans also are invited to visit the site to vote for these inspirational stories, designed to provide hope and motivation for those currently in the fight against breast cancer. Entries can be submitted through April 16 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

ON THE MOUND: Right-hander Brandon McCarthy will make his third start of the spring today. He has allowed two runs in 5.0 innings pitched with three strikeouts. The 6’7’’ veteran established career highs in wins (10), strikeouts (175) and innings pitched (200.0) last season with the Diamondbacks and Yankees. McCarthy made his major league debut against the Cubs on May 22, 2005, allowing two runs on four hits in 5.1 innings.
  • LHP Adam Liberatore is expected to make his fifth appearance of the spring today. Through four Cactus League appearances, Liberatore has tossed 4.0 scoreless innings, surrendering only two hits and striking out three.
  • RHP Dustin McGowan is also expected to see action today. McGowan has allowed five hits and 4 runs in 3.0 innings thus far.
  • RHP Sergio Santos will make his fifth Cactus League appearance today. Santos has not allowed a run in 4.0 innings and has held opposing hitters to a .083 batting average.
  • Veteran RHP Mike Adams will make his second appearance of the spring today. In his first Cactus League appearance, Adams allowed one run on one hit in 0.2 innings pitched.

REMEMBER WHEN: Sixty years ago today, Dodger Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax pitched for the first time in a Dodger uniform at Holman Stadium, Dodgertown, Vero Beach, FL. On March 18, 1955, Koufax made his debut for Brooklyn in a camp game against the “All-Stars,” a collection of players from Dodger minor league teams. The 19-year-old faced seven batters and struck out five, while walking two in two innings of work. Sports writer Roscoe McGowan wrote in The New York Times, “Sandy Koufax, Brooklyn’s $17,000 bonus right-hander, made his debut tonight against the All-Stars.” Apparently, an editing mistake changed Koufax to a “right-hander.”  
(Rollins playing catch, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *
By at Wednesday, March 18, 2015 0 comments
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Blog Kiosk: 3/18/2015 - Dodger Links - Ryu, Seager and Paco Rodriguez


Hyun-Jin Ryu was on the mound for the Dodgers on St. Patrick's Day.  On 46 pitches he went three innings and allowed three runs (two of them earned) against the Rangers.  Afterwards, he threw another 19 pitches in the bullpen (65 on the day total) to round out his day.  Although not stellar, Ryu was comfortable on the mound and appears healthy after having back issues earlier in camp.  Via Eric Stephens at True Blue LA:
"I'm not having any issues with the back anymore," Ryu said after his outing. "This time was three innings. Hopefully next time I'll be able to go four."
The photo above is via @MLB on twitter.  Below are some more links to check out:


"I was able to land on the foot and there was no pain," said Jansen, who had kept his arm loose by throwing while stabilized with a knee on a chair. "I just have to take is slowly. It's still healing, but I didn't feel anything wrong."
“From the day that he signed, the first thing I ever read about him was that he was going to be too big for short,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. “Everything I ever read about him, someone always mentions that he’ll probably have to move to third. I’m wondering where that comes from. I’m like, ‘Is anybody watching this kid play short?’ Because I’m watching him play short and I’m thinking, ‘It looks like he can play short to me,’ but what do I know.”
"I was very upset," said Rodriguez, who was also left off the Dodgers' 2013 National League Championship Series roster. "That really took a toll on me this off-season. And I thought a lot about it. That motivated me and gave me the extra drive to get healthy and get back to where I once was."
  • Via Jared Massey at Dodger Nation, he gives us an rundown on minor league camp for the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch.
  • Fantastic!  John Thorn at Our Game follows up with Part 3 of his series on "Black Ball" that covers the Negro Leagues from the 1930's to WWII.  Check it out here.  He discusses Satchel Paige, barnstorming as a precursor to integrated Baseball and the lead-up to integrating MLB.
  • Awesome!  This is as oddball as you can get.  Antiques Roadshow appraises 1910 Fat Men's Amusement Co Baseball jersey and memorabilia.  Watch the video here.  Although there isn't much known about this barnstorming team their postcards do come up often for sale and can sell for a healthy amount.  (Hat Tip: Paul Lukas at UniWatch on twitter)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *
By at Wednesday, March 18, 2015 0 comments
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Foreshadowing: the 1983 Fleer Steve Garvey Card

I was wasting some time this afternoon during my lunch break when I came across a tweet from noted Baseball card collector Night Owl Cards. 


Naturally, I had to click the link, and I was not disappointed. 

Bo at Baseball Cards Come to Life sat down with a former Fleer Baseball card photographer during the 80's and shares some of his stories.  In fact, the photographer, named Bob Bartosz, was responsible for many of the quirky Fleer cards from the time; including the "Black & Blue" card in 1983 set, "Pete & Re-Pete" card from the 1982 set and the Glenn Hubard with a giant snake card found in the 1984 set.  There are a ton of great stories, so you should definitely check it out.

One story in particular is the reason for this post. Bob Bartosz tells us that Steve Garvey knew all along (by the 1982 All-Star break) that he would not be re-signing with the Dodgers after the season.  Knowing this, Bob was able to plan for next years card.  See it at the very bottom. 

Foreshadowing what he had already been told, Bob made sure his 1983 Fleer card included Garvey putting away his Dodger gear at his locker.   This card has been around for over 30 years and it never occurred to me that the photo was symbolic of anything - until now. 

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *
By at Tuesday, March 17, 2015 0 comments
Labels: ,

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 15 / Road Game 8


Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

--------------------------
Los Angeles Dodgers (8-2-4) vs. Texas Rangers (7-6-1)
Tuesday, March 17, 2015 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Surprise Recreation Campus

LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo (0-0, 21.60)   
TV: SNLA Radio: None

--------------------------
(St. Patrick's Day 1998, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers)

POT OF GOLD: The Dodgers, who have the Cactus League’s best winning percentage at .800, travel to Surprise to take on the Rangers in the first of four exhibition contests between the clubs this spring. The teams will match up again this weekend as their split-squads travel to San Antonio for a two-game series and will also meet on March 29 in Glendale. The clubs will play four regular-season games in 2015, June 15-16 in Arlington and June 17-18 at Dodger Stadium, marking their first games against each other since 2009 and the Rangers’ first visit to Los Angeles since 2001. The Dodgers will don green caps in today’s game in honor of St. Patrick’s Day!
  • Yesterday, the Dodgers optioned pitchers Zach Lee, Chris Reed, Mike Bolsinger, Joe Wieland and Carlos Frias along with catcher Austin Barnes and reassigned infielders O’Koyea Dickson and Erisbel Arruebarrena to minor league camp. Including Brandon Beachy and Chris Withrow, who are on the 60-day disabled list, the Dodgers have 50 players remaining in big league camp.

NO LUCK OF THE IRISH NEEDED: The Dodgers erupted for three home runs, including a pinch-hit grand slam by Darnell Sweeney, during an eight-run eighth inning yesterday to down the A’s, 10-5, at Camelback Ranch for their third consecutive win. Scott Schebler and Chris Heisey also homered during the eighth-inning rally, and Darwin Barney had a game-high three hits, going 3-for-3 with an RBI. Zack Greinke made his second start of the spring, allowing just one hit – a solo home run by Josh Phegley – in 3.0 innings in a no-decision.

TEXAS TWO-STEP: The countdown is on to Big League Weekend, with the Dodgers taking on the Rangers Friday night and Saturday afternoon at the Alamodome in San Antonio! Erik Bedard and Zack Greinke are expected to start the two San Antonio exhibition games for the Dodgers, with a roster that includes Yasmani Grandal, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig, and Joc Pederson.

MAKING JACKIE PROUD: Major League Baseball announced yesterday that the Dodgers will play host to the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium in the 2015 Civil Rights Game on Jackie Robinson Day, Wednesday, April 15.  It will mark the first time that Baseball’s tribute to civil rights leaders and figures will be held in conjunction with its annual commemoration of Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson breaking Baseball’s color barrier on April 15, 1947. The Civil Rights Game was developed by MLB to pay tribute to the spirit of the civil rights movement and to honor those who embodied the struggle for equal rights for all Americans. This is the first Civil Rights Game hosted by the Dodgers and second one they have played in (2012), while this will be the first overall for the Mariners.
(Hyun-Jin Ryu, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

ON THE MOUND: Left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu will make his second start of the spring today after striking out two in 2.0 hitless, scoreless innings on Thursday at San Diego. Ryu, who has never faced the Rangers, has struggled against American League opponents during the course of his career, going 3-3 with a 4.72 ERA (25 ER/47.2 IP) in eight starts.
  • LHP Paco Rodriguez is expected to make his fourth appearance of the spring today, last pitching on Saturday against the Indians. Rodriguez has yet to allow a run and has struck out five in 3.0 innings this spring.
  • LHP J.P Howell is also expected to see action today after firing a scoreless inning on Saturday against the Indians.
  • RHP Juan Nicasio will make his fourth Cactus League appearance today after tossing a scoreless inning of relief in Friday’s tie with the Reds.
  • RHP David Aardsma will also make his fourth appearance of the spring today, last pitching on Saturday against the Indians. Aardsma has allowed just one hit in 3.0 scoreless innings this spring.
  • RHP Pedro Baez, who last pitched on Saturday against the Indians, has allowed just one hit in 3.0 innings this spring.
  • Los Angeles pitching has been terrific so far this spring, as the club has combined to post a 3.02 ERA and limit opposing hitters to a .209 batting average, striking out 98 and walking just 32 in 125.0 innings.
THE HOME OF THE DODGERS: Yesterday, iHeartMedia Los Angeles and the Dodgers announced the debut of the all-new AM 570 LA Sports.. The new baseball season will bring a new name, a new look, a re-brand, a re-launch and a new co-ownership with the Dodgers to the station formerly known as KLAC. AM 570 LA Sports will be under the co-ownership of iHeartMedia Los Angeles and the Dodgers, will have a new logo and will also incorporate the new 2015 Dodgers slogan “We Love LA.”  Another new addition, Dodger Talk featuring David Vassegh and Kevin Kennedy, will now air immediately following Dodgers baseball games or at 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
(Retired #'s added to Club Level at Dodger Stadium, pic via @DodgerInsider on twitter)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *
By at Tuesday, March 17, 2015 0 comments
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)