Collection: Dusty Baker Ethced In Time Autographed Card

Dusty Baker shall forever be known as a participant in the first ever "high-five" in the world.  Via Jon Mooallem at ESPN:

The conventional wisdom had been that (Glenn) Burke invented the high five on Oct. 2, 1977, in front of 46,000 screaming fans at Dodger Stadium.

It was the last day of the regular season, and Dodgers leftfielder Dusty Baker had just gone deep off the Astros' J.R. Richard. It was Baker's 30th home run, making the Dodgers the first team in history to have four sluggers -- Baker, Ron Cey, Steve Garvey and Reggie Smith -- with at least 30 homers each. It was a wild, triumphant moment and a good omen as the Dodgers headed to the playoffs. Burke, waiting on deck, thrust his hand enthusiastically over his head to greet his friend at the plate. Baker, not knowing what to do, smacked it. "His hand was up in the air, and he was arching way back," says Baker, now 62 and managing the Reds. "So I reached up and hit his hand. It seemed like the thing to do."

Featured here is a 2004 Upper Deck "Etched In Time" autographed card of Dusty Baker in my collection.

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Dodgers Correspondence: Carl Erskine Shares His Biggest Thrill

Carl "Oisk" Erskine was a mainstay on the Dodgers rotation in the 1950's.  He was a part of two World Championship teams (1955, 1959), and 5 National League pennant winners.  On top of that, he hurled two no-hitters.  So, when I cam across a letter written by him to a fan named Phil I immediately stood up and took notice.  To see my past post of Dodgers Correspondence, go here.

Below, "Oisk" shares his greatest Baseball thrill.

The more I reflect on my Dodger career the more meaningful it is just having been a part of that team.

However the greatest single thrill for me was the 1953 series game against the Yankees in which I fortunately had a good day and good stuff and set a strike out record.  Koufax then Gibson both exceeded my 14, but I don't mind being in third place behind those two.

I have been thankful all of my life for the opportunity I had to play Baseball- especially for the Dodgers.

(eBay Auction)

Since we are on the topic of Carl Erskine, I though it would be a good time to also share a Erskine autographed card in my collection.  Below is 2003 Topps Legends Carl Erskine autographed card.

 

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Happy Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

For your enjoyment, please check out A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, below.

Video Link:

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Collection: Steve Sax Etched In Time Autographed Card

Steve Sax will always be known for an ailment that hampered his defensive abilities.  In 1983, he suddenly and inexplicably lost the ability to accurately throw to 1st base from his position at 2nd base.  His loss of basic throwing mechanics would soon be called "Steve Sax Syndrome", and it would result in Dodgers fans wearing batting helmets along the right field line. 

Heck, even the defensively challenged Pedro Guerrero, who would move to 3rd base that year, would comment:

"I hope they don't hit it to me,"

Immediately followed by:

"I hope they don't hit it to Sax."

Featured here is a 2004 Upper Deck "Etched in Time" autographed card of Steve Sax in my collection.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 11/21/2012

• Oh well.  Kuroda has resigned with the Yankees for 1-year at $15Mil, via Hard Ball Talk.  I am genuinely disappointed about this.
• I'm not quite sure what this means, but according to Danny Knobler at CBS Sports the Dodgers are calling around asking about Zach Grienke.  This might have something to do with Grienke's widely reported issues with depression and social anxiety disorder.  For some background, go here. 
• Here's a strange combo.  Chan Ho Park, Larry King and PSY were hanging out, via Samer Kalaf at Deadspin.  Sounds like a bad joke, eh?
• Are you wondering if there will be a Dodgers Black Friday sale?  Well, wonder no more.  The Dodgers will host a BLUE FRIDAY sale at Dodgers Stadium.  It will be at the Left Loge by parking lot D.  See the tweet below.

(twitter link)

• I guess we dodged a bullet.  Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times is reporting that one of the other suitors to buy the Dodgers, Steve Cohen, has just been indicted on insider-trading.
• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy translates an article from Puerto Rico that featured Yasiel Puig as he discusses how he left Cuba.
• Go to Night Owl Cards to see his list of the Best Dodgers cards ever made, #50-#41.
• Per a recent Dodgers press release, they added minor leaguers Steven Ames and Matt Magill to the 40 man roster:

Ames, 24, who hails from Vancouver, WA, pitched for Double-A Chattanooga of the Southern League last year and was 3-3 with 18 saves and a 1.56 ERA in 54 games. The reliever struck out 72 batters in 63.1 innings of work and held right-handed hitters to a .177 average (25-for-141). Ames was selected by the Dodgers in the 17th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft.

Magill, 23, is a local product, who was drafted out of Royal High School in Simi Valley, CA in the 31st round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. The California native had a great season at Double-A Chattanooga in 2012 as he started 26 games for the Lookouts, posting an 11-8 record with a 3.75 ERA. The right-hander fanned 168 batters in his 146.1 innings, including four games with 10 or more strikeouts.

• The below photo was tweeted by Patrick O'Neal.  If I'm not mistaken, they are going to tear out all of that concrete, as well.

(tweet link)

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Dodgers Mall Tour - Cey, Wills and "Sweet" Lou Johnson

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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Here is the second leg of the Dodgers 2012 Holidays Mall Tour in Southern California.  Go here for more information.  This coming Friday Ron Cey, "Sweet" Lou Johnson, and Maury Wills will be at the Del Amo Fashion Center to meet with fans and sign free autographs.  Below is the announced schedule.

Del Amo Fashion Center

3525 West Carson Street
Torrance, CA 90503

Friday, November 23

Ron Cey (11:30am-1:30pm)

"Sweet" Lou Johnson (2pm-4pm)

Maury Wills (4pm-6pm)

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