Weekend Autograph Opportunity: Dave Roberts, Rick Monday and Al Ferrara

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 National Sports Collectors Convention Promos & Redemptions - The Dodger Cards

Now that the National Sports Collectors Convention (NSCC) has concluded I figured it would be a good time to share pics of the handful of Dodgers' promo and redemption cards made available to collectors.

As you know, all the manufacturers provide 'wrapper redemption' packs to collectors who buy their products at the show. Unfortunately, only two of them issued cards that include a Dodger player -- Topps and Panini America. Below is a look at most of those cards -- not including any of the autographs (none of which have turn up yet). Furthermore, Panini America has not provided a complete checklist of both their silver and gold packs, so there may be other cards available that I am not aware of. Should anything new pop up I will be sure to update this post. In the meantime, check out the known cards below.

BTW, no Dodger players were given out as part of the NSCC VIP program. Attendees had an option of joining a VIP club that entitled members to exclusive VIP promotional cards and free autographs at the convention. Since the show was in Chicago a majority of these VIP promos were of Chicago-based athletes.

The first set I'll share is from Topps 'wrapper redemption' set. Go here for a complete checklist. Only sandy Koufax is available.

2019 Topps Bowman Chrome NSCC Wrapper Redemption

Base

#BNR-SK Sandy Koufax

Blog Kiosk: 8/7/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

It was LA Kings Night at Dodger Stadium yesterday, so I thought I'd put up this pic of Tommy Lasorda with Kings winger Tyler Toffoli.

BTW, the Dodgers defeated the Cardinals last night (3-1), so maybe this is an omen for the upcoming Kings season -- or, maybe not.

Photo above via the LA Kings on twitter. Go here to check out a bunch of pics from last nights game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1915 rookie Dodger pitcher Ed Appleton committed a grievous error due to a bit of trickery by Cardinals player/manager Miller Huggins. In the seventh inning of a tied game Huggins, while coaching at third base, called for the ball from Appleton -- 'Let me see that ball'. Appleton obliged and tossed the ball, only to see Huggins step aside to allow the ball to roll on the field. A Cardinal runner then scored a go-ahead run. The Dodgers protested, but time out hadn't been called, so the run counted. In 2003 Eric Gagne tied the single season record for consecutive saves to start the season at 38. It also marked the 46th consecutive regular-season save overall.
• Happy Birthday, Adonis Terry, Tom Drake, Rocky Bridges, José Domínguez& Jose De Leon!

A Look at Players Weekend Uni's and Dodger Nicknames

Later this month (Aug. 23-25) MLB will once again host a Players' Weekend that will feature sleek new uniforms for all, more social media presence than ever before, player nicknames, and custom designs for various pieces of equipment -- including spikes, batting gloves, bats, and catcher’s gear. Featured here is a peek at the uniforms, and as you can see they've gone decidedly minimalistic this season. Instead of the flashy colors like in years past, they've chosen monochromatic all-black or all-white uniforms. Per Chris Cwik at Yahoo Sports:

The colorful uniforms are gone, but there’s a reason for that. Making the new uniforms monochromatic was done to draw more attention to the custom equipment and accessories designed by the players. Bryce Harper’s colorful shoes — which we’re going to assume are coming — will stand out quite a bit if his entire uniform is black.

Blog Kiosk: 8/6/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

"Help is on the way."

While some complained that the Dodgers didn't do enough to grab a reliever before the trade deadline, others realized that there's Major League-ready talent in the minors itching to show their worth. We recently witnessed the potential of Dustin May, and last night we got a good look at another. Tony Gonsolin made his second career start yesterday and proceeded to blank the Cardinals for six innings. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

In a seemingly never-ending line of standout Dodger rookies, Gonsolin has stood out for his precision. 

“I think Tony walked his first guy tonight in his three outings,” said Justin Turner, who recorded two hits and knocked in a run. “That’s something we talked about around the clubhouse — he makes guys earn it.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1908 St. Louis Cardinals hurler Johnny Lush throws a six-inning no-hitter to beat the Dodgers, 2-0. The game was halted due to rain, but still deemed an official game. In 1961 Muary Wills hit his first career home run when he hit a fourth inning solo homer off Cubs pitcher Jack Curtis to give the Dodgers a 5-1 lead. It only took 1,167 at-bats to hit his first dinger. (boxscore) In 1981, after a seven-week strike, a split-season format is approved by the players; such that the Yankees, A's, Phillies and Dodgers are declared the first-half champions of their respective divisions. They all would then qualify for the divisional series at the end of the season. In 2009 Andre Ethier hit his fifth walk-off hit of the season when he walloped a three-run home run against Braves closer Rafael Soriano to give the Dodgers a 5-4 victory.
• Happy Birthday, Clem Labine, Andy Messersmith & Ron Davis!

2019 Topps Now -- #619, #621, #627 & #633 -- Dodgers Weekend Bounty

You know you've had a fantastic weekend when four different Topps Now cards are issued to celebrate and memorialize your games. Unfortunately, I had failed to write about any of them, so I'll make up for that now by highlighting them here. Overall, three of the four cards are now sold out -- with only the Max Muncy card shown above being available right now. Go here to check it out and order.

As you may know, last night Max Muncy hit a line-drive walk-off double down the right field line to knock in two runs during the ninth inning to defeat the Padres. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com: