Check Out the Kershaw Challenge Auction at MLB

Clayton Kershaw, past winner of both the Roberto Clemente and Branch Rickey Awards for his humanitarian work, currently has an auction up at MLB Auctions that benefits his Kershaw's Challenge charity.  There's a bunch of great stuff to check out.  Go here for a complete listing. 

Our online auction is LIVE now! Check it out & place bids on awesome, authentic memorabilia. http://t.co/tZlshvH2ap pic.twitter.com/YDsJpebewm

— Clayton Kershaw (@ClaytonKersh22) July 22, 2015

Below are a handful of items that stuck out to me.

(pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

Below is Sandy Koufax's complete Old-Timers Game uniform he wore on May 16th, 2015 at Dodger Stadium. 

(Auction Link)

And below is Clayton Kershaw's game worn jersey worn in the Civil Rights Game honoring Jackie Robinson at Dodger Stadium April 15th, 2015.  Notice the patch on the right shoulder.  It has also been signed by both Kershaw and Sandy Koufax.

(Auction Link)

The next three items are all canvas prints by noted sports artist Stephen Holland.  They have all been signed by the player (with exception of the Jackie Robinson... obviously).

Clayton Kershaw (link)

(Auction Link)

Fernando Valenzuela (link)

(Auction Link)

Jackie Robinson (link)

(Auction Link)

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Blog Kiosk: 7/23/2015 - Dodger Links - Pederson, Anderson and Bolsinger

What perfect symmetry.  Heck, what perfect pitching!

Mike Bolsinger has been fantastic.  Yesterday afternoon he went seven strong innings; allowing only three hits and a lone run on a ground ball out in the third inning.  He used his magic powers (a rascally breaking ball) to fool and befuddle Braves batters, so much so that they resorted to playing mind games with him.  From their dugout they tried to bruise his ego by basically calling him a wussy for throwing too many curveballs.  Via Carlos Collazo at MLB.com:

"If you're showing me you're not hitting a pitch, why would I go to something else?" Bolsinger said. "That's baseball. If you show me you're not doing something, I'm going to keep attacking your weaknesses."

And Bolsinger said that was definitely the case against the Braves, as the scouting reports have shown that the team struggles against offspeed offerings. That, combined with the fact that Bolsinger felt good with his curveball and slider as early as his pregame bullpen session, led to Atlanta seeing 61 offspeed pitches out of the 98 that he threw.

"For Mike, it's a matter of being able to get the ball to both sides of the plate a little bit with his fastball," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. "And then that sets up the breaking ball."

That's what I call good pitching... And good game calling on the part of Grandal.  The above photo is via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more pics from him from yesterday's game.  Below are some links to check out:

• Congrats Fernando!  Via Yvonne Carrasco at Dodger Insider, "As American as Fernando: Valenzuela becomes U.S. citizen."
• Via Tyler Kepner at the NY Times, "Dodgers’ Joc Pederson Hits Homers That Travel, but He Has a Long Way to Go." 

“The thing is trying to understand when a pitcher is trying to pitch around you and not give you anything to hit,” McGwire said. “Instead of getting yourself out, accept those walks, and don’t try to force the issue. That’s the way, at this level, you’ll knock down your strikeouts.”

Pederson said something similar, stressing the importance of reading the pitcher’s intentions. But he does not sound eager to cut down on his swing to slap more singles. Pederson wants to maximize damage when he connects.

“I like to slug,” he said. “I take aggressive swings. I swing and miss because of it, and I think I still have a lot to improve.”

• Via Harold Uhlman at Think Blue LA, "Jordan Paroubeck still waiting to make debut with AZL Dodgers."
• This is very good news.  Via Carlos Collazo at MLB.com, "MRI results show no Achilles tear for (Brett) Anderson."

"Take it day by day," Anderson said. "But just the drastic difference between today and yesterday -- which was surprising, but is a positive. Hopefully I can continue on that path, and [hopefully] it was just kind of a fluke deal where it grabbed and bothered me and I'm able to go out for the next one."

• Via Harold Uhlman at Think Blue LA, "Loons Alex Verdugo ready for next step."
• This is funny stuff.  Check out these fantasy Baseball cards that meld Hip-Hop musicians with vintage Baseball cards at "Straight Out of Cooperstown" here.  (Hat Tip: Justin Block at HuffPost Sports)  My favorite card is easily the one below.

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Vintage Dodger Videos from the AP - Watch '63 Dodgers Sing in the Clubhouse

This afternoon I ran into a story, via Daniel Cooper at engadget (link here), that announced the recent downloading of over 550,000 vintage film reels onto youtube by the Associated Press.  Along with partner British Movietone they hope to create a "view-on-demand visual encyclopedia" for everyone to enjoy.   So, I figured I should take a moment and check it out.  After all, they likely have well over 100 years of unseen archives hidden within their vault.  Check out some of the vintage Dodger videos that I've discovered so far below:

Here is some color footage of an empty Dodger Stadium in October 1966 and practicing on the field are the American League pennant winning Baltimore Orioles preparing for the upcoming World Series against the Dodgers. 

Video Link:

This next video is undated, but likely comes from the 1960's.  Watch a spring training video highlighting a visit by the Tokyo Giants to Dodgertown at Vero Beach.  It starts at about the 1:36 mark.

Video Link:

Here's a bunch of soundless clips from the 3rd game of the 1963 World Series at Dodger Stadium.  You see the growing crowd, the admission and concession lines, fans in the stands, players warming up (including Berra and Drysdale) and some game play.  BTW, the Dodgers won 1-0.

Video Link:

And here's the best of the bunch.  below is some B&W video inside the Dodger clubhouse after Sandy Koufax pitched a complete game gem to win the 1963 World Series against the Yankees.  Watch some of the celebration, Vin Scully interviewing Sandy and Walter Alston, and the Dodger players singing a version of the Mickey Mouse Club song but with mouse replaced with "Moose" (wha!!!).  It must be in reference to Dodger infielder Moose Skowron.  As you may know, Moose played for the Yankees nine years prior to his joining the Dodgers.

Video Link:

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Molly Knight, Tim Leary and Nancy Bea Hefley

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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You've heard of the book.  Now, you can meet the author.  Tonight, Molly Knight will be at Vroman's Bookstore to sign her new Dodger book for fans.  Go here for information.

Event date: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 - 7:00pm
Vroman's Bookstore
695 East Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91101

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This is probably the best Dodger autograph event of the year.  Nancy Bea Hefley will be signing autographs and her new bobblehead at Ultimate Pastime in Ontario.  Go here or here for information.

We are proud to announce that we have the EXCLUSIVE rights to the FIRST EVER Nancy Bea bobblehead! Not only does her HEAD bobble, but her HAND does too!! The Meet & Greet with Nancy will take place in Ontario, Ca. on Saturday, July 25, 2015! This will be an event you won't want to miss & will be fun for the WHOLE FAMILY!! Nancy has agreed to inscribe, "Take me out to the Ballgame" on the first 200 of these!!!! ***ONLY 1,200 bobbles are available. GOLD PACKAGE (VIP) - $79 ONLY The first 200!!! (Includes a Limited Edition, signed "Take me out to the ballgame" Bobble (#'d), A Photo-Op with Nancy, An Autographed 8x10 photo of Nancy, VIP line access, Food & Drinks & Memories to Last a Lifetime.) SILVER PACKAGE - $49 (Includes an Autographed Bobble, A Photo-Op with Nancy, Food & Drinks & Memories to Last a Lifetime. *** Bring your own items to be signed!!! Additional autographs will be available for only $19 & inscriptions for $10 each. *** This will be the ONLY time Nancy will be signing these. She will not sign this bobble at ANY other event.

Ultimate Pastime
1614 S Carlos Ave Suite K
Ontario, California

BTW, former Dodger Al Ferrara will also be there to sign free autographs for fans; starting at 10:00 AM.

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1988 World Series Champion Tim Leary will be at Iguana's Bar in Pico Rivera on Sunday, July 26 from 12:00 PM noon to 2:00 PM.  Go here for information.

Iguana's Bar
8528 Rosemead Blvd
Pico Rivera, California 90660

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Blog Kiosk: 7/22/2015 - Dodger Links - Kendrick's Epic Rant

Check out the above epic rant by Dodger second baseman Howie Kendrick that he posted on instagram yesterday.  (Hat Tip: r/sgtjoo on reddit)  I say epic because... Well, I kind of like it when players, who are often treated like they are mere things that exist to only entertain us, come out of the shadows to show us how human they are.

Like just about anyone under the constant glare of the public, Howie often gets degrading and demeaning comments from anonymous idiots with nothing better to do.  Sure, he should just ignore them, but sometimes you just get sick of it.  Sometimes, you need to lash out.

BTW, I don't think he's ranting at all fans - just the nobs who are not nice.  In fact, I would be willing to bet some of those idiots think they're funny.  For the record, most of them aren't... Not by a long-shot... Oftentimes, they are just mean... And I've had enough of the schadenfreude so persistent on social media.

So Howie, you keep being you... And as a Dodger fan I will always root for your success.  And yes, I agree with you, the Dodgers are fine.  I do think we'll need some tweaking here and there, but for the most part I'm not unhappy with where we are.  Oh... I happen to like guns too.  So, feel free to continue enjoying your hobby.

Below are some links to check out:

• Just some more great LA Dodger history from Mark Langill.  Via his post at Dodger Insider, "Who threw the Dodgers’ first ceremonial pitch in Los Angeles?"
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Chris Anderson wins Texas League Pitcher of the Week honors."
• I think this is the best one yet.  Jeff Pearlman shares his recent interview with writer Molly Knight about here new Dodger book here.

Then when it became clear that McCourt was going to be forced to sell the team, I basically moved in with my sister in West Hollywood and continued reporting. I got tired of paying New York rent when I wasn’t there—and I needed a change of scenery for a variety of personal reasons. So in March, 2011 I basically sent for my stuff and continued covering all the craziness around McCourt. Then when he sold the team for $2 billion to this really interesting guy from Chicago, I became even more intrigued. But it wasn’t until the Dodgers signed Zack Greinke, honestly, that I thought about writing a book. And it was because a few Dodger players who knew me texted and said “Shit. We were bankrupt and now we have Greinke and Kershaw and we’re going to win a title. You should write a book.” That’s what happened.

• The Dodgers on twitter shared an early peek at the Fernando Valenzuela bobblehead that they will be giving away on 9/16.  Check it out on the right.
• Via the MLPAA, Joc Pederson has been named the Dodgers representative for the 2015 Heart & Hustle Awards.
• Via Hugh Bernreuter at MLive.com, "Dodgers prospect Tommy Bergjans takes long path back home."

"I was probably throwing around 85 or so when I got to college, but then it started to bump up to 87-88 my freshman year, then 89-90 after my sophomore year and in the 90s after my junior year," Bergjans said. "All of a sudden, I'm starting to think that maybe baseball won't be done after four years."

• GCRL shares even more Steve Garvey cards in his collection, here.   
• Nick Diunte at Baseball Happenings lets us know about a short biography about Lou Boudreau.
• Panini opened up a couple boxes of their 2015 Cooperstown Baseball and shares what they received; including the Sutton and Drysdale cards below.  Go here to check out what else they got.  BTW, this set officially releases today.
  

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When We Weren't so PC

I always feel a certain sense of astonishment when I look at vintage sports collectibles.

And I'm not talking about holding something that is decades old or the pure historical nature an object may possess - although, there's a bit of that.

It's just that I find it weird how different those times were.

For instance, check out the circa 1940's Brooklyn Dodger pennant above that is currently for sale at Hunt Auctions (auction link here).  It features an old Dodger mascot who I am sure most of you have heard of and seen.  It is of the Dodger "Bum" created originally by newspaper editorial cartoonist Willard Mullin and popularized further by the clown Emmett Kelly in Brooklyn. 

From what I understand, Brooklynites often referred to the Dodger team/players as "their bums" - not because they were despised, but because they had became so loved.  Players were just guys from the neighborhood, so fans took them on as one of their own.  And as you know, when you become family you have to endure a certain amount of ribbing.  Over time the moniker became a cultural icon for the era and city.

Today, a nickname like the "Bums" would receive scorn from every corner of the country - much like what the Redskins football club (and to a lesser extant the Cleveland Indians Chief Wahoo) faces today.  There would be protest and marches.  Editorials would scream about the perceived lack of sensitivity.  And they'd be right. 

I think it's a good thing for people to be involved and to care as much as they seem to.  It's just that I find it amazing.  We had gone from a society that openly, and quite vocally, threw around disparaging remarks like it was going out of style to a world that can be just as vociferous when playing the part of PC police.   

Sometimes I think it's just more of the same... But this time the shoe is on the other foot.  And maybe that's the crux. 

I dunno. 

Fortunately, the Dodgers old nickname is not as controversial, if at all, compared to what Washington or Cleveland fans have to go through.  It would be tough being a fan/collector of either of those clubs.

BTW, this same Hunt Auction includes a very cool 1980 game jersey of Dodger Mickey Hatcher.  See pic below.  It includes an 1980 Dodger Stadium All-Star Game patch.  Check that auction out here.

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