Thank You, Charlie Culberson!

You gotta love an unsung ballplayer like Charlie Culberson. Most of us -- no, all of us -- didn't expect him to have an impact on the Dodgers when we first signed the minor league free agent castaway in late-2015. Thankfully, he showed us that we were wrong to doubt him. Sure, he wasn't a superstar or even a starter, but he was effective when put into games. Heck, he even helped win a few; including a league championship series.

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: LA Kings Signings Today - Dought, Muzzin and MacDermid

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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I apologize for this late notice.

With the holidays around the corner you shouldn't really expect any athlete player signing opportunities, but there are two events happening today that should catch the attention of LA Kings fans.

Blog Kiosk: 12/20/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The Yasiel Puig #SantaPuig truck made a surprise visit to the Evergreen Recreation Center in East LA yesterday afternoon to hand out toys and gifts to local families. As yo can see, smiles were seen all-around.

Photo above via Puig on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1976 the Dodgers traded Ted Sizemore to the Phillies for catcher Johnny Oats and a minor leaguer. In 1989 the Dodgers traded Mike Marshall and Alejandro Peña to the Mets for infielder Juan Samuel.  In 2005 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Kenny Lofton.
• Happy Birthday, Branch Rickey, Harry Stovey, Bob Hall, Butch Henline, Fred Merkle & Snooks Dowd!

Welcome Back to LA, Matt Kemp! (For However Long You Stay)

I always though we'd see Matt Kemp in Dodger Blue again.

I just didn't think it would happen this quickly.

Welcome back, Matt Kemp!

As you all know, the ballplayer once heralded as our franchise outfielder has returned to Los Angeles. How long he'll be here is still up in the air. All we do know is that this trade cleared some bad debt off the books -- by trading a package of albatross contracts for Matt Kemp's giant whale of a bad contract.

In other words, this deal really had nothing to do with Baseball. Instead, it was a trade of financial instruments.

2017 Topps Transcendent Collection - All the Dodgers Cards

Here is a look at all the Dodger cards found in one of the 87 briefcase sized boxes of 2017 Topps Transcendent Collection. As you know, this is a very expensive product that cost collectors about $25 grand a pop. For that you get a complete base set, a complete sketch card reproduction set, a complete 50 card Transcendent autographed set, one original sketch card or baseball, three additional autograph cards (including an Aaron Judge) and an invitation to an Hank Aaron event. Go here for a complete checklist.

Icons Base

#1 Jackie Robinson              #24 Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 12/19/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Wow! This is fantastic.

Above is a look at Ebbets Field on the day of the very first ballgame played at the stadium. Dated April 5, 1913, it shows a preseason exhibition between Brooklyn and their hated rivals, the New York Yankees. Pitching on the mound is Yankee hurler Ray Caldwell. Per Michael Claire at Cut4:

With 25,000 in attendance and 7,000 others watching "the game from the bluffs that loom above the field," Charles Ebbets had to turn away an additional 10,000 fans who wanted to catch the game. Though fans may have wished the park was a little larger, at least they didn't have to put up with the smell of rotting fish. 

How is that relevant, you wonder? Because the "grasslets" on the new field were fertilized with fish chum, during the offseason it gave off "one of the most aggressive odors known to science." Fortunately that had dissipated long before the stadium's opening. 

BTW, the Dodgers took an early 2-0 lead when Jake Daubert hit a homer and a youthful Casey Stengel hit one inside-the-park. The Yankees would then tie it up in the ninth. Fortunately, the Dodgers won the game during their half of the inning to win it in walk-off style, 3-2.

Photo above via Old-Time Baseball Photos on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2005 the Dodgers signed free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal to a three year/$39 million contract and Nomar Garciaparra to a one year/$6 million contract.  In 2014 the Dodgers received veteran shortstop Jimmy Rollins from the Phillies in exchange for mionor league pitchers Tom Windle and Zach Eflin.  
• Happy Birthday, Lou Koupal, Gordie Windhorn, Tom Wilson, Welcome Gaston, Wally Gilbert, Rex Barney, Geoff Zahn & Mike Fetters!