Weekend Autograph Opportunities: A Clipper and a King at the LA Auto Show

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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There will be several athletes meeting with fans at the LA Auto Show this weekend at the LA Convention Center. Go here for a listing of Events & Appearances at the show.

2017 Bowman Draft - All the Dodgers Cards

Topps newest set to hit store shelves is their 2017 Bowman Draft brand. As always, these cards include some of the very first cards of kids drafted in 2017. Of the seven Dodgers in the base set three were drafted just this past summer -- Morgan Cooper (2nd rd), Connor Wong (3rd rd) and James Marinan (4th rd). Go here for a complete checklist. Below are all of the Dodgers' cards.

Base & Base Chrome

Normal Base                        Base Chrome
#BD-30 Morgan Cooper      #BDC-30 Morgan Cooper

Blog Kiosk: 12/7/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

As painful this photo may be, I believe it's something that must be shared. Heck, I'd be surprised if this image has ever been widely seen. Featured above is an original Barney Stein photograph, currently at auction at RMY, that shows four Dodger employees dumping boxes full of unused 1951 World Series tickets into what looks like a furnace at Ebbets Field. (auction link)

As you may recall, this was the year Giants cheater Bobby Thompson walloped a walk-off home run off Ralph Branca to end the Dodgers hopes of a championship. Unfortunately, we don't know who the person's pictured are (if you know, please pass that along). We do know that the three chaps in work uniforms are Ebbets Field employees -- likely concessionaires, ticket takers, etc. Just take a gander at the chest of the fellow on the far right. It features Dodgers on his nameplate.

Below are more links to check out:

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

Blog Kiosk: 12/6/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Just awesome!

Above is an original 1958 Spring Training photograph taken by the legendary Barney Stein currently on auction at RMY (auction link). As you can see, it features the entire team, and it is purported to be the very first team photo of the newly minted Los Angeles Dodgers. As you know, the club would play in LA for the first time that season.

I've personally placed a bid on this photograph, but have little hope I'll walk away with it. This auction just opened up and it already has six bids. I suspect it'll sell for far more than I am willing to pay. That said, there are a bunch of great vintage pics in the auction, so stay tuned as I highlight other favorites I run into.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1960 actor Gene Autry is awarded an American League Los Angeles franchise that would be known as the Angels -- borrowing. In 1973 the Dodgers traded Claude Osteen and Dave Culpepper to the Astros for outfielder Jim Wynn. Wynn would go on to have a stellar year the following season in Los Angeles. He slashed .271/.387/.497/.884 with 32 homers and 108 RBI's, and would come in at fifth place in MVP voting. In 2006 the Dodgers signed free agent pitcher Jason Schmidt. In 2007 signed free agent outfielder Andruw Jones.  
• Happy Birthday, Tony Lazzeri, Tommy Brown & Dodgers broadcaster Joe Davis!

2017 Topps Dynasty - The Dodgers Cards

Released a couple of weeks back, I am only know able to share some of the Dodger cards found in boxes of Topps 2017 Dynasty set. This is a high-end brand that will cost you about $300 for one box, and there is only one card in the box. So, this is very pricey. On the plus side, you are guaranteed an on-card autograph. Go here for a complete checklist.

For Dodger fans only the cards of Kenta Maeda and Mike Piazza are inserted into packs. Clayton Kersahw, Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger cards can only be found as a redemption.

Kenta Maeda

#AP-KM1 Kenta Maeda            #AP-KM2 Kenta Maeda

Blog Kiosk: 12/5/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Even ballplayers love chasing after autographs.

Featured above is a vintage, dated October 13, 1965, UPI press photo of Dodger outfielder "Sweet" Lou Johnson flagging down soon-to-be Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew for his John Hancock prior to game 6 of the World Series. (eBay auction link) Per the descriptor at the top:

Metropolitan Stadium: Autograph hunter is Dodger outfielder Lou Johnson's pregame role as he seeks signature of Twins slugger Harmon Killebrew here. Johnson had just entered the park and was en route to dressing room when he met Killebrew.

As you may know, the Dodgers would win this World Series the following day -- a game 7 match-up that saw Sandy Koufax throw a three-pitch shutout. BTW, Lou Johnson also hit a solo home run in the fourth inning of that game 7 to score the eventual winning run. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1973 the Dodgers traded outfielder Willie Davis to the Expos for relief pitcher Mike Marshall.  Dr. Marshall, as he is known, went on to win the NL Cy Young Award that next season.  He pitched in 106 games, finished 83 of them and recorded a league high 21 saves as a reliever. In 2011 the Dodgers signed free agent utilityman Jerry Hairston to a two-year $6 million contract. He would soon thereafter retire and join the Dodgers broadcast crew.
• Happy Birthday, Jamie McCourt, Gus Mancuso, Don Padgett, Steve Rachunok, Raleigh Aitchison, Billy Shindle & Ray Moss!