Colorado Series this Weekend - Scheduled Autograph Signings and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts this evening with the Rockies, and several old-time Dodgers will be in the house to sign free autographs for fans.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

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Friday April 25 at 7:10 PM

RHP Jordan Lyles vs. RHP Josh Beckett

Tonight's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  It is Friday Night Fireworks, so fans will be able to go down onto the field after the game.  Edwin Hernandez, who rescued his 18 year-old neighbor from her burning house in Reseda in April, will officially start the game with “It’s Time For Dodger Baseball!”

Former Dodgers Matt Luke (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Derrel Thomas (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. 

From a press release:

• The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Brook Bossen. Bossen enlisted in 2000. His role as a Chief Maritime Law Enforcement Specialist has sent him across the country for deployment to the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea. Bossan’s accolades include the Coast Guard Commendation Medal and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal.  
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will hold a silent auction on the Club level by the Vin Scully Press Box. The auction ends at 8:45 p.m. with more than 25 items up for bid, including an Orel Hershiser Autographed 1988 World Series Baseball, Clayton Kershaw Autographed LA Dodgers Jersey and a Kids Take The Field Experience. All proceeds will benefit LADF and its programs in sports and recreation, education and literacy and health and wellness which help children and families throughout the greater Los Angeles region.

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Saturday, April 26 at 6:10 PM

RHP Juan Nicasio vs. LHP Paul Maholm

Saturday's game starts at 6:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 3:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 4:00 PM. This evening will feature the first Dodger Stadium Movie Series event.  The classic Baseball film “Field of Dreams” will air after the game.  More information can be found here.  Renowned fashion designer and founder of BCBG Max Azria will throw the ceremonial first pitch.

Former Dodgers Tommy Davis (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Tim Leary (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. 

From a press release:

• The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Antonio Tinajero of Los Angeles. Tinajero enlisted 2003, has served with four different units and is trained as an Infantry Assaultman. He is currently assigned to the Wounded Warrior Battalion West, Balboa Detachment in San Diego recovering from injuries he sustained when an Improvised Explosive Device hit his vehicle while on patrol in Afghanistan. Tinajero’s  accolades include two Purple Heart Medals and a Combat Action Ribbon.

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Sunday, April 27 at 1:10 PM

LHP Jorge De La Rosa vs. LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu

Sunday's game starts at 1:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 10:30 AM, and stadium gates open at 11:00 AM. Viva Los Dodgers will be in lot 6, and begins at 11:00 AM.  Former Dodger Mickey Hatcher will be singing autographs there and musical entertainment will be provided by Electro-Cumbia VLDband Cumbia Machin and Ballet Folklorico Guadalajara.  The first 15,000 kids under at age of 14 will receive Hanley Ramirez Replica Jersey.  See a photo of it on the right.

Former Dodgers “Sweet” Lou Johnson (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Dennis Powell (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. 

From a press release:

• The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Coast Guard Corporal Lindsay High. High enlisted in 2009 and is stationed at the Fort Irwin National Training Center serving as Combat Documentation Production Specialist. She earned her Parachutist Badge and in 2011, served a deployment to Qatar near the Persian Gulf. High’s accolades include the Army Commendation Medal and being selected as the post wide for the NCO of the Quarter at Fort Irwin.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will have a Mystery Bag fundraiser at Viva Los Dodgers at the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Tent. For a $40 donation, fans can get an  Official Major League Baseball signed by one of ten Dodger Alumni featured, including Nomar Garciaparra, Tommy Davis and Manny Mota and current players including Andre Ethier and Zack Greinke. Only 84 Mystery Bags available. All proceeds will benefit LADF and its programs in sports and recreation, education and literacy and health and wellness which help children and families throughout the greater Los Angeles region.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will hold a silent auction on the Club level by the Vin Scully Press Box. The auction ends at 2:45 p.m. with more than 25 items up for bid, including a Yasiel Puig Autographed Baseball, Zack Greinke Autographed LA Dodgers Jersey and a Dee Gordon Autographed Photo. All proceeds will benefit LADF and its programs in sports and recreation, education and literacy and health and wellness which help children and families throughout the greater Los Angeles region.

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Blog Kiosk: 4/25/2014 - Dodger Links - Jansen Overworked, the Outfield Surplus and Is Wilson Healthy?

Is that pine tar for bats?  The photo above is worthy of a caption contest.  Hyun-Jin Ryu is found goofing around with Juan Uribe in the pic above, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Even Dodgers unsure if Wilson is healthy."

Even more alarming has been Wilson’s lack of command, but the two issues often are related. Wilson admitted when he went on the disabled list in San Diego that he had concealed some tingling sensations in his elbow from Mattingly and the trainers since spring training. Now, Mattingly said he’ll ask Wilson again whether he’s healthy. 

• Via Mike Petriello at Dodgers Digest, "Is Kenley Jansen Being Used Too Much?"  Ken Gurnick at MLB.com notes that he is on a pace to break the record for pitcher appearances this season. 
• Check out some great photos from a fan who sat right behind home plate a couple of games ago, here.  Hat Tip: Reddit:  collegemathchef.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Mattingly challenged by outfield surplus."

"It's not so much that you're hurting feelings," he said. "You want everybody in the mix. But you've got four guys with quality careers and you can't just throw those aside. I assume every time a name is not in the lineup, they're not happy about it."

• Via Dave Cameron at FanGraphs, "Baseball's Worst Rule is Dead."
• I found this to be really fun to play with.  The NY Times created an interactive map looking at MLB team loyalty based on facebook likes by zip code.  Click on the map and zoom in to find out were resident's loyalties stand. Awesome!  Unsurprisingly, neither the A's or Mets can call any zip code in the country as home territory.

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The Maury Wills 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet

Here is my last post featuring the 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet set.  Go here to see my past post showcasing this set; including complete scans of both the Vin Scully/Jerry Doggett and Sandy Koufax booklets.  This time I share the Maury Wills Booklet.

As I said, this is the very last booklet in the 1961 Union Oil set that I am sharing.  Since I started this series in early February I've scanned all 24 booklets in the set (that's 216 total pages scanned), and you can check them all out here.  My favorite of the bunch was Dick Farrell booklet since I had a chance to learn about a Dodger player I had no knowledge of.  A close second was the Vin Scully/Jerry Doggett booklet.

Besides the player biographies, I really enjoyed the little snippets of information found in individual boxes throughout the booklets.  There was always something new to find out about a player; as well as, interesting quotes.  For instance, here are some snippets from the Maury Wills booklet.

• Wills said, early in June last year, "I'm still learning on the left side.  This is only my second year of switching, and I'm not a natural hitter to begin with.  I'm a natural pitcher and runner, but I had to learn hitting.  I'm bound to get better."
• Let all who feel rejected at one time or another in their lives take heart.  Wills was sold conditionally to Detroit in 1958 for $35,000.  The Tigers sent him back.  Now look at him.
• Manager Walt Alston, when he feels extra approbation for Maury's good deeds, calls Will "Little Man."  He once said to his shortstop, "You get such a beautiful jump, little man.  Why don't you steal first base a few times?"

Below are complete scans of every page from Maury Wills' 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet.  Click any pic to embiggen. 

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Blog Kiosk: 4/24/2014 - Dodger Links - Kershaw to Pitch Tomorrow in Rancho Cucamonga

Clayton Kershaw was hanging out with Jordan Farmar and Nick Young of the Lakers yesterday.  Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

• "Vin Scully’s ode to Wrigley Field," via Dodger Insider.
• Via Eno Sarris at FanGraphs, "Zack Greinke on Curveballs."

He felt the pitch was a good change of pace because it was a slow curve — it averages just over 70 mph these days — and it caused the batter to be out in front of the pitch. But he wasn’t sure if that was why curves turn into grounders. “The number one thing for curves and grounders — they are low in the zone,” said Greinke of the pairing. 

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Kershaw to start rehab assignment Friday."

"He'll be making more than one, for sure," Mattingly said, an indication that Kershaw likely would make another Minor League start next Wednesday before possibly rejoining the Dodgers in Washington on May 5.

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Fielding an issue, but will it matter?"

As this first month of Dodgers baseball has played out -- remember, the season started way back on March 22, way over in Australia -- you can sometimes find yourself wondering whether this team is so good in two phases of the game as to make the third practically irrelevant. You can also find yourself wondering whether the third, at some critical point, might undo all the good the first two compiled. 

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Matt Kemp’s performance lost in Wednesday night’s win."

But lost in all of the pomp and circumstance on Wednesday night was another 2 for 4 performance which, for the most part, went completely unnoticed – the 2 for 4 night of Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp.

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Paul LoDuca, Dee Gordon and a Brian Wilson Bobblehead in RC

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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I was going to let you know about the Brian Wilson bobbleBEARD game in Rancho Cucamonga on Friday, but it's too late.  The game is already sold out.  Only 1,500 fans will get one, so if you have tickets you'd better get there early.

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Former Dodger catcher Paul LoDuca will be signing autographs on Saturday.  Go here for information.

Alex C. Liu OD
19735 E. Colima Rd.
Rowland Heights, CA 91748

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Dee Gordon will be in Whittier on Saturday to sign for fans.  Go here for information.

Harry's Dugout
10715 Beverly Boulevard
Whittier, CA

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Blog Kiosk: 4/23/2014 - Dodger Links - We Do Deserve an Apology

Clayton Kershaw did some heavy lifting yesterday at the Dream Center.  Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Ken Gurnick at MLB.com tells us a bit about it here.

• Via Howard Cole at LA Weekly, "Time Warner Owes Us an Apology. And So Do the Dodgers."  I've been agnostic about this whole situation, but am finding myself more disturbed about it.  Howard is right, at some point, if this ever gets worked out, they (and I mean all of them-Dodgers-TWC-Comcast-DISH-etc.-All of Them) owe fans an apology.  A quote from Howard's piece is below:

Love does not mean never having to say you're sorry. In fact, an apology of some sort is definitely indicated when the tear-jerker of a love story we're talking about is Dodger baseball - - and the Southland's inability to cherish what is nearly as precious to many of us as a family member.

• Cora at the Sons of Steve Garvey finally shares his photos from the Australia Series games.  Here are his second set of photos.
• Via Dan Arritt at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Mattingly: Mistakes 'become a frustration.'"

"The plays that you're supposed to make, you've got to make," he said. "Simple as that."

• Chad Moriyama at Dodgers Digest writes a, "Down On The Farm Update: Games Of 4/15 – 4/21."
• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider tells us about Adult Baseball Camp in November at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach.
• Jon also shares a video of Clayton Kershaw's most recent bullpen throwing session, here.  He is throwing to Don Mattingly.
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Chad Billingsley to receive PRP injection Wednesday."
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Guerrero's Triple-A tear creates buzz."
• Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest shares a prospect report, "Jonathan Martinez off to strong start in Great Lakes."
• Ken Levine, formerly of Dodger Talk, sums up my feelings about Linkedin precisely. Heck, I kinda feel that way about all the social networks.  I am constantly surprised at how folks take any of it seriously, yet I understand and appreciate the importance that the self-promotion provides.  A comment I read on Ken's post really rings true:

LinkedIn is like a bunch of people at a marketing/networking conference seminar at a crappy hotel: Everyone spends their time standing around touching all the donuts in the back, not really knowing anyone, and trying not to seem out of touch or awkward. Nobody knows how to really use the damn thing, why they're even there, or why it even matters beyond "I got sent here because the boss thinks this is important somehow ... but I get a free day out of the office, so I'm kinda all good".

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