Weekend Autograph Opportunity: Sax, Cey, Russell & Garvey

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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2019 Topps Series 1 Baseball - Inserts Galore, Part One

Now that you've seen the Dodger base cards, here are several of the inserts you can find in packs. First, I thought I would share the handful of Dodgers found in Topps' 2019 Silver Pack 1984 Chrome promotion. Available at local hobby stores or online hobby retailers, you will receive a silver pack of four cards for each hobby box purchased. A jumbo hobby box should get you two silver packs. Go here for a complete checklist of promo cards.

2019 Topps Baseball Silver Pack Promotion

1984 Chrome Promo Cards

#T84-6 Jackie Robinson      #T84-15 Manny Machado

Blog Kiosk: 1/31/2019 - Dodgers Links - Happy 100th Birthday Jackie Robinson!

The celebration of all things Jackie Robinson begins in earnest today. The Dodgers will honor this day by hosting a celebration for 250 children and parents from Union Rescue Mission. Per a Dodger press release:

The birthday party runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in partnership with Worthy of Love, a non-profit organization that hosts monthly birthday parties for children living in the Union Rescue Mission in Downtown Los Angeles. The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Jackie Robinson Statue (in Lot B), where participants will sing “Happy Birthday” to Robinson.  Other activities include a tour of the Jackie Robinson exhibit at the club’s Pop-Up Museum Presented followed by DJ/dancing, a photo booth, a balloon artist, face painting and a petting zoo in the Stadium Club.

Photo above via the Daytona Tortugas on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1941 the Dodgers signed future Hall of Famer Paul Waner to a free agent contract. In 1972 former Brooklyn Dodger players Rube Marquard (known mostly as a Giant) and Dave Bancroft (also mostly a Giant) were selected by an Hall of Fame Special Veterans Committee for enshrinement. In 2001 an article was published in the WSJ related to the most infamous pennant race in National League history. Written by Joshua Prager, he details how the Giants team stole catchers' signs during the 1951 pennant race to help them overcome a Dodgers 13.5 game lead i the National League. You can read the original article here. In 2003 the Dodgers signed free agent pitcher Wilson Alvarez. In 2005 the Dodgers signed pitcher Scott Erickson as a free agent. 
• Happy Birthday, Hank Aguirre, Ted Power, Stuffy Stewart & Jackie Robinson!

2019 Topps Series 1 Baseball Is Now Out - All the Dodgers Base Cards & Variations

Guess what officially hits stores today?

That's right, it is Topps Baseball Card Day, and as always it officially ushers in the 2019 season by officially releasing their flagship card set - the 2019 Series 1 brand.

There are 13 Dodger cards in Series 1; including a card of Dodger Stadium and a checklist featuring a Dodger celebration. BTW, there is a Yasiel Puig card here, as well. So, fans can still find him in Dodger Blue on cardboard. Go here for a complete checklist.

I've also included pics of the three four five known Dodger variation cards below. Should more pop up I will certainly update this post.

Base

#10 Clayton Kershaw

#41 Corey Seager

Blog Kiosk: 1/30/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Just one more win.

Featured above is an AP wirephoto showing an overjoyed Clem Labine (eBay Auction Link). Per the description on the reverse:

Clem Labine, Brooklyn's relief artist, leaps for joy as catcher Roy Campanella and first baseman Gil Hodges rush to congratulate hm at the of Sunday's fifth game of (1955) World Series. Labine, fourth game winner, recued Roger Craig in Sunday's game. Dodgers won, 5-3, to take series edge three games to two.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2003 the Dodgers signed free agent infielder Ron Coomer. He would get into 69 games for the Dodgers; slashing .240/.299/.368/.667 with four homers and 15 RBI's. In 2008 pitcher DJ Houton is sold to the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks (Japan Pacific). In 2017 the Dodgers traded Carlos Frias to the Indians for cash. 
• Happy Birthday, Davey Johnson, Red Smyth, Mal Mallette, Sandy Amoros, Charlie Neal & John Lindsey!

My 2019 FanFest Day -- With Pics and Links

The Dodgers FanFest has come and gone, and like in past years there was plenty of fans in attendance, a lot to do and lines everywhere. Heck, it would be entirely appropriate to just call this event the Dodgers LineFest. Nevertheless, I have no doubt that a majority of fans enjoyed the spectacle more than it annoyed them.

There were some minor tweaks to this years FanFest. The kid friendly activities (slides, wall climbing, etc.) were placed in the parking lot area instead of on the playing field, like in past years. Also, we were introduced to this coming seasons slogan -- "LA Bleeds Blue".