Weekend Autograph Opportunity: Tommy Lasorda in Arizona and Derek Fisher in Santa Ana

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland (and Arizona for Spring Training). 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: 3/4/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here are five Dodger pitchers warming up during Spring Training in 1949. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Brooklyn Hurlers Limber Up

Vero Beach, FLA... A quintet of the Brooklyn Dodgers' pitching staff limbering up throwing arms as the Dodgers Spring Training program went into high gear at Vero Beach. Left to Right are Hank Behrman, Joe Hatten, Preacher Roe, Rex Barney and Ralph Branca. 

Dated to 3/4/49 the International News Photo above was taken by famed sports photographer Barney Stein. (eBay auction link) Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1912 Charles Ebbets breaks ground on his new ballpark in the Pigtown section of Brooklyn. It was originally going to be called Washington Park, but will be renamed Ebbets Field. In 1984 Pee Wee Reese is elected into the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee. In 2009 the Dodgers re-signed outfielder Manny Ramirez to a two-year $45 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Jim Korwan, Jeff Pfeffer, Johnny Enzmann, Dazzy Vance, Lefty O'Doul, Bill Hart, Leron Lee, Giovanni Carrara, Bruce Aven, Hiram Bocachica, Sergio Romo & Rubby De La Rosa!

The Dodgers Lone Leap Year Ballplayer -- Ed Appleton

With the recent passing of Leap Day -- February 29th -- I thought it would be fun to take a look at the lone Dodger ballplayer born on that day. His name is Ed Appleton, and he was a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1915 and 1916 Baseball seasons.

Having been nicknamed Whitey, for whatever reason, Ed Appleton played much of his professional ball in various leagues in Texas. Which isn't surprising since he was born, raised and died in Arlington, Texas. His first taste of pro-ball was as a 19-year old with the Fort Worth Panthers of the Texas League in 1911 -- where he went a respectable 7-8, while allowing 3.67 runs every nine innings.

Four years later in 1915 he would find himself half-way across the country in Brooklyn, as a swing man in the Dodgers pen. He would start ten games (out of 34 appearances) and would prove to be effective -- recording an 3.32 ERA his rookie season. Unfortunately, he would run into some tough luck that year.

2020 Bowman Next -- Wave 2 -- Gavin Lux

The second wave of Topps 2020 Bowman Next online exclusive brand have been arriving on collectors stoops, and this time only one Dodger prospect is available in the 15-card offering. It is second base phenom and the #2 prospect in the country, Gavin Lux. A total of 750 sets were ordered, which translates to an autograph print run of 75. Go here for a complete checklist.

Wave 2 Base

#T16 Gavin Lux

Wave 2 Autograph

#T16A Gavin Lux

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Blog Kiosk: 3/3/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic vintage press photo (eBay auction) from the Houston Post featuring (from L-R) Billy Cox, Gil Hodges, Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson being filmed by the media. It is dated to September 23, 1958 on the reverse, but that can't be right. The Dodgers were in Brooklyn that day to play the Cardinals, and I'm fairly certain the Dodgers spring home in Vero Beach is in the background. Additionally, Billy Cox last season as a Dodgers was in 1954, so clearly this is a photograph taken many years before finally being archived by the Houston Post.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1872 future Hall of fame Dodger Wee Willie Keeler is born in Brooklyn, New York. He would play five season for the Dodgers -- slashing a remarkable .352/.389/.425/.815. Overall, he batted over .300 16 times and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1939. In 1987 the legendary entertainer and creator of The D-O-D-G-E-R-S Song, Danny Kaye, dies of heart failure. He was 74-years old. Go ahead and sing along to his famous ditty here. In 1988 the famous incident between Kirk Gibson, a newly signed free agent outfielder, and reliever Jesse Orosco occurs in Vero Beach. Orosco was a well known practical joker, but his barb against Gibson caused an uproar. He put eyeblack in Gibby's cap, so Kirk walked out of training camp while excoriating the club for not taking their job seriously. This incident would be heralded as an important moment for the soon-to-be championship club. 
• Happy Birthday, John Ward, Wee Willie Keeler, Ed Phelps, Joe Koukalik, Bert Griffith, Scott Radinsky & Matt Treanor!

2020 Topps Heritage - A Last Look at the Dodger Inserts

Here is a final look at the Dodger Inserts available in packs on 2020 Heritage. Check out the Dodgers' Real One Autographs, Baseball Flashbacks, 1971 Mint Relics, 1971 Bazooka's, 1971 Scratch-Off's, Baseball Tattoo's and Sticker cards below.

Real One Autographs

#ROA-DM Dustin May        #ROA-GL Gavin Lux