Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Blue Friday Sale and Dodger Autographs

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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On another note, the Dodgers will be hosting a Blue Friday sale at Dodger Stadium this coming Friday, November 25th.  Go here for more information.

From 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Top of the Park store in Dodger Stadium they will offer a day of merchandise sales, player autographs, fun photo ops and more!  Below is the currently announced schedule of autograph signers:

Dennis Powell
10:00am - 12:00pm

Al Ferrara
2:00pm-2:00pm

Billy Ashley
2:00pm - 4:00pm

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 11/23/2016 - Dodgers Links - Bellinger, Vin Scully, RIP Ralph Branca

Clearly, in the photo above, Vin Scully is at a complete loss for words.  He, no doubt, understands the gravity of the honor that is being bestowed on him, and takes very seriously the solemn recognition it represents.  I am sure, as he stood next to the President awaiting the official presentation of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he is truly realizing the impact his little job as "an old broadcaster" has had on not only Baseball fans in Southern California but to Americans throughout the country.

(Vin Scully, pic via Jon SooHoo/Dodgers)

Congratulations, Mr. Scully.  It has been my honor to have grown up watching and listening to you spin your tales of life and Baseball.  Your dignity, humility and class, I dare say, is something that is often lacking in today's world.  You will truly be missed behind the mic, and this most recent honor is more than deserved.

You can go here to watch the entire ceremony -- it gets started at about the 46 minute mark.  You should also check out a bunch of fantastic photos taken by Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo here.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1960 outfielder Frank Howard is named the NL Rookie of the Year.  In 1962 Maury Wills is named the NL Most Valuable Player award winner.  During this season he broke Ty Cobb's stolen base record with 104 swipes. 
• Happy Birthday, Ross Stripling, Jesse Petty, Justin Turner, José González and Jimmy Sheckard!

2017 Dodgers Home Promotional Schedule - Blue Friday Sale!

The Dodgers have officially released their 2017 home promotional schedule, and it includes ten bobbleheads, a chips and salsa dish, kids replica Corey Seager bat, a kids trash can, and eight Great Dodger Moments collectible coins. On Jackie Robinson Day fans will receive a Jackie Robinson replica statue -- which means the long promised statue that was supposed to be put at the stadium this past season will finally be going up.

Of special note, on May 3rd against the Giants, the Dodger will honor Vin Scully on the field and fans will receive an yet unannounced commemorative item.    Go here to check it all out. 

Unfortunately, none of the ten bobblehead subjects or eight Great Dodger Moments coins have been unveiled.

(Schedule above, via Dodger Insider)

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On another note, the Dodgers will be hosting a Blue Friday sale at Dodger Stadium this coming Friday, November 25th.  Go here for more information.

From 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Top of the Park store in Dodger Stadium they will offer a day of merchandise sales, player autographs, fun photo ops and more!  Below is the currently announced schedule of autograph signers:

Dennis Powell

10:00am - 12:00pm

Al Ferrara
2:00pm-2:00pm

Billy Ashley
2:00pm - 4:00pm

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Vin Scully's Big Day -- Presidential Medal of Freedom Fantasy Baseball Cards

I just couldn't help myself. 

While watching this afternoon's Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony, I opened up my photoshop and started making some fantasy Baseball cards to commemorate the occasion.  Fortunately, there were plenty of pics on twitter to choose from -- just do a hashtag search #MedalOfFreedom to check some out.

A Brooklyn Dodgers "Bum" Gold-Tooth Stanford Pottery Coin Bank

Although I had highlighted this piece in the past, I thought it was worth taking another look -- especially since Inside the Park Collectibles provides a bunch of detailed photos to look at.  Featured here is an late 40's - early 50's Stanford Pottery figurine coin bank that shows a gold-toothed, cigar smoking "Bum".  In fact, this piece is commonly known to collectors as the "gold-toothed" mascot coin bank of the Brooklyn Dodgers.  Emblazoned on his chest is the word "Bum" -- an obvious reference to the anti-hero/mascot conceived by editorial cartoonist Willard Mullin. (Auction Link Here)

Blog Kiosk: 11/22/2016 - Dodgers Links - Vin Scully Goes to DC

As you certainly know, this afternoon is the White House ceremony for the presentation of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in Washington DC, and Vin Scully is one of just a handful of folks to be honored.  The festivities begin at 11:55 PT, so I think it would be well worth your time to spend your lunch with Vin, the other honorees and the President.  Here is a link to watch a livestream of it all:  Whitehouse.gov.

The other recipients are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Ellen DeGeneres, Robert De Niro, Tom Hanks, Lorne Michaels, Robert Redford, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, Elouise Cobell, Richard Garwin, Bill and Melinda Gates, Frank Gehry, Margaret H. Hamilton, Grace Hopper, Maya Lin, Newt Minow, Eduardo Padrón and Cicely Tyson.

Photo above is of Vin Scully arriving in DC yesterday for todays ceremony, via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• I think it's important for me to note that you shouldn't get too worked up about the abundance of rumors being thrown around.  Most of what you're seeing and hearing is just clickbait; i.e bored reporters and writers trying to make something out of nothing, and hoping to get paid ad dollars in the process.  

Rest assured, the Dodgers front office has or will soon speak with every agent that represents a free agent... Every one of them... And they are likely to speak with every team in the league to explore trades.  At the end of the day, none of this stuff is really news -- it's just a regular course of their business. 

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1954 the Pittsburgh Pirates took future Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente in the Rule 5 Draft from the Brooklyn Dodgers.  In 1982 Dodger second baseman Steve Sax is named the NL Rookie of the Year.  He is the fourth consecutive Dodger to win the award.
• Happy Birthday, Ricky Ledée!