Welcome Back to the Blue, Alanna Rizzo!

We received word earlier this morning that the Dodgers have re-signed a trusted and important friend to Dodger fans everywhere (at least to fans who can watch the team on television).  Announced today, via a tweet from Alanna Rizzo, was the formal re-signing of Mrs. Rizzo to the Dodgers/SportsNet LA broadcasting team.

2016 Topps Transcendent - All the Dodgers Cards

The most expensive set/box of cards ever produced has now officially been released.  It is called 2016 Topps Transcendent and it features pure Baseball card gluttony.  With a suggested retail price of $25,000 per suitcase (as seen above), but available directly from Topps at $22,000 each (link here), it includes 55 limited edition autographed cards (three of which through a redemption -- including Corey Seager), a couple of unique complete sets, a "1 of 1" sketch card, and an exclusive invitation to a Topps 65th Anniversary Celebration in Las Vegas with NL MVP Kris Bryant.  Go here for more information.  Only 65 suitcases are available.  Also, check out this Blowout Buzz post featuring a suitcase/box break of this product (link here).

The jewel of this set is clearly the Vin Scully card.  This is Scully's 3rd autographed Topps Baseball card released this year.  Below are pics of the Dodger autographed cards that have been shared so far.  As stated above, Corey Seager is available only through a redemption card.  Also, it appears that there are two different Kenta Maeda autographed cards. 

Transcendent Collection Autographs

• #TCA-CS Corey Seager  -- via redemption card

#TCA-CK Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 12/9/2016 - Dodgers Links - Valentine, Urias, Turner and Sandy Koufax

Once upon a time, Sandy Koufax moonlighted as an actor.  He wasn't a particularly good one, mind you, but he did get quite a few Hollywood roles; especially after leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a World Series Championship in 1959. Heck, he and many of his teammates suddenly became the toast of the town, and producers quickly came knocking on their doors.

(Koufax with Dorothy Provine)

Featured above is a vintage 1959 ABC promotional photograph that shows Sandy playing a cavalry officer named Johnny in the TV western Colt .45. (eBay Auction Link)  Koufax had a short scene in the episode, titled "Impasse", that resulted in his untimely death.  Jeff Katz, the Mayor of Cooperstown and lover of Baseball, writes on his blog:

Not a very lengthy role, Koufax dies in the opening scene, before the TV critics could get a handle on his acting chops. The quick-witted Koufax gave his own review, “I’ve gone out quicker in some games.” True before 1960, not so true after. The Brooklyn-born lefty was willing to give acting a go. Cognizant that it was his ball playing skills providing him with small screen opportunity, Sandy thought these small chances could lead to more. “I don’t know if I have any acting talent, but if anybody wants to take a chance it’s O.K. with me. If there’s a career for me in acting, fine. I want to go as far as my capabilities will carry me. At 23, I’ve got to think about what I’m going to do after leaving baseball.” He couldn’t imagine that day would come so quickly. For his role as Johnny, credited to “Sanford Koufax,” he was pleased that he didn’t “have to ride a horse, just die.”

On the right is another publicity photo that shows him with actress Dorothy Provine.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1981 the traded Jack Perconte and Rick Sutcliffe to the Indians for Jack Fimple, Jorge Orta and Larry White.  In 1992 the Dodgers signed free agent closer Todd Worrell.  In 2012 the Dodgers signed Hyun-Jin Ryu to a six-year, $36 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Kelley, Enos Kirkpatrick, Juan Samuel, Mat Latos & Eric Stults!

Blog Kiosk: 12/8/2016 - Dodgers Links - Ellis, Kershaw and the Handsome Dave Roberts

I guess you never get football out of your system.

Featured above is a fantastic AP press/publicity photograph that features Jackie Robinson in the midst of being tackled by two college gridiron all-stars.  (eBay Auction Link)  This photo was taken on August 15, 1949 at a BBWAA get-together in Bear Mountain, NY.  Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Note that Jackie, a guest at the outing, is wearing a slipper on his left foot injured in a recent game.  The footballers, Goble Bryant (left), Army, and Scott Emerson, Navy, are members of the Eastern College All-Star Team which is training at Bear Mountain for their tilt with the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds in New York, Sept. 1.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1947 the Dodgers made a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates that netted them Billy Cox, Gene Mauch and Preacher Rowe for Hal Gregg, Vic Lombardi and Dixie Walker.
• Happy Birthday, Alan Foster, Jolbert Cabrera & Reed Johnson!

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Austin Barnes and the Dodger Holiday Sale

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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Dodgers backup catcher/utilityman Austin Barnes will be signing autographs at Sports Authentics in the Puente Hills Mall.  Go here for more information.

Sports Authentics
Puente Hills Mall 
1600 S. Azusa Ave. 
City of Industry, CA 91748

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This coming Saturday will also be the 2016 Dodger Holiday Sales Event at the "Top of the Park" store at Dodger Stadium.  It will include merchandise discounts, player autographs, photo ops and more.  Go here for more information.  Unfortunately, a player signing schedule is not available yet, so stay tuned.  I'll be sure to update this post once it has been announced.  (FYI, last week Mickey Hatcher, Lee Lacy and Kenny Landreaux signed)

UPDATE:  Here is the autograph schedule for this weekend:

Matt Luke: 10:00am-12:00pm
Derrel Thomas: 12:00pm-2:00pm
Lee Lacy: 2:00pm-4:00pm

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Blog Kiosk: 12/7/2016 - Dodgers Links - Haren, Hill, and Roberts on Maeda

Not only did the Dodgers feature the first African-American position player to play in the Majors, but they also introduced the first African-American pitcher to enter a Major League game.  Featured above is a vintage AP Wire Photo, currently available for sale at RMY Auctions (Link Here), that shows a clapping Jackie Robinson (on the right) providing on-field encouragement to trailblazing pitcher Dan Bankhead as he enters a MLB game for the first time.  It is dated to August 26, 1947.

As you may know, his debut did not go exactly as planned.  Bankhead would enter the game in relief of starter Hal Gregg -- who had been shelled for six runs in the one inning he pitched (after not getting an out in the second inning) against the Pirates at Ebbets Field.  So, Pittsburgh bats were hot, and looking to make it a laugher.  Unfortunately for Bankhead that's exactly what they did.  Over the next 3 1/3 innings Dan gave up eight earned runs on ten hits; including hitting batter Wally Westlake with a wicked curve -- an act that some thought might provoke a fight.  On the positive side, Dan Bankhead did hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning in his very first Major League at-bat.  Per Rory Costello at the SABR Biography Project:

After the game, Bankhead told pioneer black sportswriter Sam Lacy, “I think I’ll be okay as soon as this newness wears off. Today it seemed like I was wearing a new glove, new shoes, new hat, everything seemed tight.”

Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 2013 the Dodgers signed free agent reliever Brian Wilson. 
• Happy Birthday, Tom Lovett, Ryan Theriot & Yasiel Puig!