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Wednesday, July 03, 2013

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Eddie Murray is in the House!

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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Hall of Famer and one-time Dodger Eddie Murray will be signing autographs at the OC Dugout in Anaheim Frank & Sons this coming Saturday, July, 6th from 10:00 Am to 12:00 PM.  Go here for more information.  Ticket prices range from $89.00 to $119.00.
Frank & Son Collectible Show
19649 E. San Jose Ave.
City of Industry, CA 91748


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Welcome to the Blue, Lucas Tirado!


Alright... This is probably premature.  After all, the kid is just 16-years old and is many years from actually making a debut in any Major League uniform.  Still, I've got a photoshop habit at the moment and I just can't help myself.

Announced this afternoon, via a tweet by ESPN Deportes reporter Dionisio Soldevila, the Dodgers have signed who appears to be their main target in this years International Signing period - SS Lucas Tirado.  In celebration I made the above fantasy card of him using the classic 1987 Topps card design and a photo from the Baseball Factory website.  Of course, I could have just made it easy on myself and used a Baseball card that was made for him last season by Bowman.  See that card on the right, and below is Soldevila's tweet.


Via the Dominican Prospect League website:
Lucas has participated  in many major showcase events during the past 10 months, in August 2012 he was selected to Under Armour All-America game played at Wrigley field. He was also selected to play in the  2013 DPL All-Star Game and selected to the 2013 DPL Elite Travel Team in mid March.
Tirado is athletic and does things fairly effortlessly, he’s a left handed hitter with a good approach and gap to gap power. His swing tends to get long at times but posses enough bat speed to drive the ball to the alleys with occasional HR power.  Defensively he’s fluid and has good hands, his range is limited and has average arm strength. He’s an average runner in the 60 yard dash at 6.9. He is still learning how to play the shorts stop position, at worst he will be an offensive second basemen.
Below are a couple of videos to watch of our newest prospect.

Video Link:

Below, he is seen taking some swings.

Video Link:

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Vintage Newsprint: 11-Year Old Dodger Fan Roots for Team in 1946


So, I was doing a bit of research recently for another post when I stumbled upon the above news article, and I have to admit I was smitten.  What endeared me to it wasn't that it provided any interesting news or information about the ballclub, but instead it goes right to the psyche of Brooklyn Dodger fandom.  Heck, it's about fans in general and the insanity that often comes with being a fan.

Let me set up the background story so that you can put yourself into the shoes of a reader during this time period.

On Sunday, September 29, 1946, the last day of the 1946 season, the Dodgers found themselves in a first place tie with the St. Louis Cardinals.  The Bums had just lost their last game, but so did the Cardinals (to the Cubs).  So, for the first time in league history a 3-game playoff series would be played between the two clubs to determine who would win the pennant and play in the World Series.  The article above is from the following day, Monday, September 30, 1946, and it features a fan written letter by an 11-year old Brooklyn Dodger fan sending her well wishes to the "Boys in Blue" as they battle for National League supremacy.

Below is what she wrote to then Dodger manager Leo Durocher.
Dear Mr. Durocher:
When the Dodgers lost today I could have cried.  I think I would have died if St. Louis won.  But could give you a great big hug and kiss for having led the Dodgers to a tie for the pennant.

While I am only 11 years old I have been one of the best rooters for the team.  I have not kneeled on the steps of Borough Hall or flown over Ebbets Field to pray for the team, for I think that it is silly.  But, believe me, I think as much of the Dodgers as those who do.

I have never seen a Big League game, but I listen to Red Barber and Connie Desmond read your column in the Eagle and all the baseball stories.  I know the winning records of all the players and how you work the squeeze play.  I cheer with glee when Pistol Pete steals home, when Eddie Stanky walks and Dixie Walker and Pee Wee get another hit.

Some people may say that you should have played the game differently today; that you should have used more pinch hitters or stayed with Lombardi, but I think you managed the team beautifully, as you did all season.

Although I will not see the team in the playoff or the World Series, much as I would like to.  I'll be at the radio rooting like mad for Brooklyn to win.  I hope that Musial breaks his leg, Kurowski sprains his wrist and Slaughter breaks his arm; that Breechen gets a sore arm and Pollet keeps his in a sling - but PLEASE don't let anything happen to you, Dixie Walker, Eddie Stanky, PeeWee Reese, Dick Whitman, 'Stetch' Schultz, Augie Galan, Carl Furillo or any other Dodger.

But even if all these things do not happen to the Cards, I'm sure the Dodgers can lick them.

Your for Victory in the World Series,
Eileen Keegan

P.S. - Mr. Rickey should give all the Cubs a car.
Unfortunately, the Dodgers would lose the first two games of the playoff series to finish in second place in 1946, and I'm certain little Eileen Keegen cried her eyes out.  Such is life as a Baseball fan.

The above story was taken from page 3 of the Brooklyn Eagle; dated September 30, 1946.  Click on the pic above to embiggen.

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Blog Kiosk: 7/3/2013 - Dodgers Links -


Topps is releasing a new set called WBC Tribute today.  Check out the preview pic of a Adrian Gonzalez WBC patch card above, via twitter.
I built relationships with the same sweet group of girls for 4 years at camp. So when they climbed off the bus, each of them came sprinting across campgrounds and leapt into my arms. They weren’t afraid of me. They knew I was on their side, and that I fiercely loved each of them. I later found out that you had been sitting on the side of the road when the bus that was hauling kids to camp pulled over to pick you up. Never have I believed that was a coincidence. It was divine intervention, and the Lord’s will at work that would forever change my life.
  • Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA writes, "Dodger legend Don Newcombe puts Yasiel Puig in great company".  He gets a great interview with Newcombe.
  • The 9th annual Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Bowling Extravaganza will be hosted by A.J. Ellis and Josh Beckett this year.  It will take place on Monday, July 29th at Lucky Strike Lanes LA LIVE.  Get more information here.  Don Mattingly, Steve Yeager, Chris Capuano, Mark Ellis, Tim Federowicz, Stephen Fife, Adrian Gonzalez, J.P. Howell, Nick Punto, Paco Rodriguez and Scott Van Slyke will also be attending.
  • I absolutely love the LA Kings mascot "Bailey" twitter account.  It's oftentimes hilarious, as Larry Brown Sports points out in "LA Kings mascot cautions Dodgers against Carlos Marmol trade".  Check it out here.
  • For the upcoming National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago Leaf Trading Cards will be giving out a 7-card VIP set that includes Yasiel Puig.  See at at right.  Via Sports Cards Info.
  • Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Joc Pederson, Zach Lee lead Chattanooga contingent on Southern League All-Star team".
  • Good luck Cochito.  Eric at True Blue LA also tells us that Luis Cruz has refused the assignment to AAA and is now a free agent.
  • Via ABC News, former Dodger Milton Bradley has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years for domestic abuse, and is currently out on appeal.  
  • This is for the Jackie Robinson collector.  Baseball Pinback Button blog does a full post on every Jackie pin in the hobby. It includes many pins I was not aware of, as well as dates of issue.  awesome!
  • Dodger Films shares the aftermath of the Ryu bat that flew into the crowd during the last homestand.  The kid is fine and they got some great gifts from the team.  Check out the video below.

Video Link:

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