Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Bill Russell

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.

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

Legendary Dodger infielder and former manager Bill Russell will be signing free autographs at the new Sports Authentics store at the Puente Hills Mall this coming Saturday, October 29th from 12:30 PM to  2:00 PM.  Go here for information.

Sports Authentics
Puente Hills Mall 
1600 South Azusa Avenue
City of Industry, CA 91748 
909-613-9100

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2016 Topps Update Baseball - The Dodgers Retail Exclusive Rookie Cards

I misspoke yesterday when I said my post featuring some of the Dodgers inserts found in packs of 2016 Topps Update would be my last post on this set.  This post, I promise, will be the last one.  Go here to check out all of my past blog post on this set.

Featured below is a group of insert cards that can be found in packs and boxes bought only at Walmart or Target stores.  They are dubbed the "Retail Exclusive Rookies" and they include three Dodger younglings on older Topps Baseball card designs.  Basically, they are fantasy Baseball cards in real life.

Retail Exclusive Rookies

Target:

#TAR-6 Julio Urias                       #TAR-15 Kenta Maeda

Blog Kiosk: 10/26/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw on a Plane, Urias, Utley and Garvey

Above is an fantastic 1910's advertising poster for Fatima Turkish brand Cigarettes that features action photos from an opening series match-up between the Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers) and New York Giants.  It is currently on auction at Mile High Card Company.  (Auction Link)

Unfortunately, the poster mainly points out popular Giants players like Fred Snodgrass, George Burns and Fred Merkle.  So it's likely this ad was prominently displayed in neighborhoods loyal to that team.  Nevertheless, it's a unique piece that includes several rare photographs.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1950 Walter O'Malley became the ninth president and chief stockholder in the Dodgers franchise.  Following the death of team owner John L. Smith (who owned one-quarter of the club) O'Malley navigated a deal where he bought Branch Rickey's share of the club and essentially became a trustee over the Smith family portion to take over majority control.
• Happy Birthday: Dan Coulombe!

Eddie Miksis' 1947 World Series Jersey Used During Dodgers Game 4 Walk-Off Victory

I thought I would take a moment to highlight a vintage Brooklyn Dodgers game-used jersey that I recently came across in Goldin's current auction.  Featured above is Eddie Miksis' 1947 flannel that he wore during the World Series.   (Auction Link)

“Miksis will fix us,” was what he was playfully referred to by Branch Rickey during the following season in 1948.  Obviously, Eddie was highly regarded.  He was an super-utility player who, at the ripe age of seventeen, already displayed the skills and smarts of a much older player.  Just to illustrate how wanted he was, he joined the franchise only after the Dodgers bought an controlling interest in the minor league club he played for (the Trenton Packers) in 1944.  Then, he got called up to Brooklyn as a seventeen-year-old later that year.

2016 Topps Update Baseball - The Dodgers 500 HR Futures, Own the Name and All-Star Cards

Here is a last look at the Dodgers cards found in packs of 2016 Topps Update.  Featured below are the 500 HR Futures Club, All-Star Cards and "Own the Name" cards.  Go here to check out all of my past blog post on this set.

Of note, I find it a bit presumptuous to include both Adrian Gonzalez and Joc Pederson in a list of future 500 home run hitters.  With 308 career homers at 34 years of age it is highly unlikely Adrian Gonzalez will reach the 500 mark.  Additionally, Joc Pederson has averaged 25 home runs a season, so he'd have to continue hitting at that pace for twenty years. 

500 HR Futures Club

#500-9 Adrian Gonzalez                          #500-19 Joc Pederson

Blog Kiosk: 1/25/2016 - Dodgers Links - Press Conference, Quakes New Logo and an Mysterious Vintage Cap

Here is one last item from the current Lelands Auction that I thought was worth mentioning.  Featured above is a vintage photograph of the empty stalls within the Dodgers clubhouse.  As you can see, Roy Campanella's uniform is prominently displayed among throngs of Dodger flannels on wire hangers.  Check out the auction here.

Initially, I assumed that this photo was taken in the Brooklyn Dodgers clubhouse -- pre-1958.  But now, I'm not so sure. I say this because of a certain ball-cap above Campy's jersey.  Do you see it?

That's a "LA" hat with the "L" crossed with the "A" just like the current Dodgers logo, but the color scheme is all wrong.  The "L" is a dark color (unsure which considering this is an B&W pic) and the "A" is clearly white.  Heck, it almost looks like the caps the old Los Angeles Angels of the PCL wore before the Dodgers came to town, but again the color scheme is wrong.  Those hats, if I remember correctly, had a white "L" and a red "A". 

So, what the heck is that hat?  Were did it come from?  And, was this photo actually taken in the Dodgers clubhouse in the Coliseum?  Best yet, is this photo from Roy Campanella Day at the Coliseum -- when 93,000 fans jammed the stadium in 1958?

I dunno, and I don't know if we'll ever find out.  Unfortunately, the photograph itself has no relevant markings on the reverse to let us know.  If you happen to have any insight please pass that along.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1981 in Game 5 of the World Series the Dodgers won their thrid straight game against the Yankees to take 3-2 series lead.  Pedro Guerrero and Steve YEager hit back-to-back homers, and Jerry Reuss pitched a 2-1 complete game for the victory.
• Happy Birthday, Pedro Martinez!