Weekend Autograph Opportunity: Walker Buehler and Doug DeCinces

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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Blog Kiosk: 4/10/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Oklahoma recently had a double dose of awesome. Last week their capitol hosted Clayton Kershaw for his first rehab start on their Opening Day (link here). Then yesterday afternoon, Tulsa fans got to witness his second rehab stint, and as you can imagine kids with 'Big League' dreams flocked to the stadium to watch it all.

Overall, Clayton went six innings, threw 81 pitches, gave up five hits, struck out six and allowed two earned runs, as the Drillers defeated the Springfield Cardinals on a walk-off by DJ Peters. You watch that here. Kershaw is slated to make his first Dodger start of the season on Monday against the Reds and Yasiel Puig.

Photo at the top via the Tulsa Drillers on twitter. Photo on the right via Tulsa World on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 the Dodgers officially announced, during the sixth inning of an exhibition against the Royals, that they had purchased the contract of Montreal Royals infielder Jackie Robinson. He would be the first African-American to be on the roster of a modern Major League club. In 1962 the Dodgers played their very first home game at newly built Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine. There were 52,564 fans on-hand to watch Johnny Podres throw the first pitch to infielder Eddie Kasko -- who promptly doubled in the at-bat. Duke Snider would record the first Dodger hit with a single in the second inning.  Unfortunately, the Dodgers would lose the game to the Reds, 6-3. Reds outfielder Wally Post hit the first homer in the stadium during the seventh inning to lead Cincinnati.
• Happy Birthday, Bob McGraw, Chuck Connors, Lee Lacy, Mike Devereaux, Alberto Reyes, Andre Ethier & Charlie Culberson!

2019 Topps 150 Years of Baseball - #17 - Jackie Breaks the Color Barrier

The second Dodger card available through Topps newest online exclusive card brand, 2019 Topps 150 Years of Baseball, features the historic moment Jackie Robinson changed the game and the country. Go here to check it out and order.

Congrats, Hanley!

I just plain forgot to put this in this mornings Blog Kiosk, and since I'm the impatient type I figured I'd just put up a little blurb here.

As you know, Hanley Ramirez was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. Well... As of yesterday, he can also now say that he is also an American citizen.

This morning Hanley shared a photo of him receiving his naturalization certificate, via his twitter.

Congratulations!

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Blog Kiosk: 4/9/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I just love this 'In-Action' photo of Pee Wee Reese leaping to make a play on the baserunner. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Up When He Should Be Down

If Pee Wee Reese didn't have to soar into the stratosphere for catcher Edward's peg to second, Bill Rigney, Giant infielder, might have been a dead pigeon instead of safe when he stole from first in the third inning. His efforts were little more than gesture, however, since Pete Reiser, Dodger outfielder, belted a home and a triple to drive in all of Brooklyn's runs to defeat the Giants 3-1 in a ten inning tilt.

The vintage International News Photo taken by Fred Must, dated 8/8/1946, is available through eBay (link here). Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1913 Ebbets Field host its first Major League game in front of about 10,000 spectators on a frigid Wednesday afternoon. It is an Opening Day contest against the Phillies. Unfortunately, the Superbas got shutout, 1-0. Check out the boxscore here. In 1947 Dodgers skipper Leo Durocher is given a one-year suspension by Commissioner Happy Chandler for "conduct deemed detrimental to baseball." It is related to his association with known gamblers. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela replaced scheduled starter Jerry Reuss to pitch on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium. He would go on to throw a compelte game shutout -- blanking the Astros 2-0. Check out the boxscore here. As you know, Fernando would go on to win eight consecutive games to start the season and lead the team towards a World Series Championship.
• Happy Birthday, Steve Toole, Tiny Osborne, Fred Frankhouse, Guy Cantrell, Roy Gleason, Oscar Robles & AJ Ellis!

2019 Topps Now - #48 & #59 - Home Run Leader Cody Bellinger

Cody Bellinger had quite a weekend -- earning him two Topps Now cards.

Beginning on Friday, he walloped his league-leading 6th home run of the season against the hapless Rockies -- earning him his second 2019 Topps Now card of the year. Check it out above and to the right. I had neglected putting this card up on Saturday, so I'm a couple of days too late on this notice. BTW, this card sold 378 copies. Below is what's written on the reverse:

Cody Bellinger crushed a three-run home run against the Rockies to lead the Dodgers to a 10-6 victory. With the blast, Bellinger joined Eddie Matthews (1953) and Alex Rodriquez (2007) as the only MLB players ever with six home runs and 16 RBI through the first eight games of a season. Bellinger's home run and RBI totals through 8 games into a season are both franchise records as well.