Blog Kiosk: 7/14/2017 - Dodgers Links - Vin Scully Narrated "Lincoln Portrait" Last Night

It is apparently Vin Scully Week in Las Angeles. After accepting the ICON Award at the ESPYs the other day, he ventured up to the Hollywood Bowl last night to narrate “Lincoln Portrait” by Aaron Copland, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel. He will reprise the performance this coming Tuesday, July 18th. Go here to watch Vin's narration from last night.

Photo above via the Hollywood Bowl on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2003 the Dodgers sign free agent future Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson. The Dodgers are 49-44 at the time, but languish in third place in the NL West -- 7.5 games behind the Giants. Unfortunately, Rickey cannot change the Dodgers fortunes. He gets into only 30 games, batting .208 with one double, two home runs and five RBI's. In 1995 Dodger pitcher Ramon Martinez no-hits the Marlins at Dodger Stadium, 7-0. He was perfect for 7 1/3 innings before walking Tommy Gregg. It is the 22nd no-no in franchise history.
• Happy Birthday, Ed Hug, Happy Smith, Max West, Gene Schott, Danny Walton, Pepe Frias, Darren Hall, Robin Ventura & Jose Hernandez!

Blog Kiosk: 7/13/2017 - Dodgers Links - Vin Scully Given ICON Award

Last night Vin Scully was honored at the annual ESPYs with the Nationwide ICON Award -- given to those whose careers have left a lasting impression on the sports world. Actor Bryan Cranston present the prize. If you haven't already seen Vin's acceptance speech you should go do that now. It's fantastic and a little reminder of how lucky we were to have him in our lives. Watch it here.

Pic above via ABC7 on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1954 Brooklyn rookie manager Walter Alston makes the first of a record nine appearances as National League manager in the annual All-Star Game. On this day the National League would lose to the American League, 11-9.
• Happy Birthday, John O'Brien, Daryl Spencer & Cody Bellinger!

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Yunel Escobar and Dennis Rodman

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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2017 Dodgers Sports Crate - June Edition - Yasmani Grandal

It's finally here!

After a painstaking delay the second edition of the Dodgers 2017 Sports Crate has arrived. It got here about two to three weeks late. At this point I think it's fair to say that the folks over at #SportsCrate are having some fulfillment issues. That said, I can say that these mystery boxes are growing on me. After initially being a bit disappointed with some of the booty I've come to realize that the thrill of opening up the crates is too enticing. It's like experiencing a Baseball Christmas once a month during the season -- if only they could fix their shipping issues.

2017 All-Star Game FanFest Promos - Clayton Kershaw Wrapper Redemption Card

With All-Star festivities now in our rear-view mirror I thought it would be prudent to briefly pass along details on the only Dodger-related collectible available from retailers at the 2017 MLB FanFest.

Featured below is the Clayton Kershaw Topps MLB FanFest Wrapper Redemption card. It is part of a six card set that were given to fans who opened up three sealed packs of any 2017 Topps MLB product at their company booth. Other players in the set include Kris Bryant (who wasn't even there), Bryce Harper, Mike Trout (again, not there), Giancarlo Stanton and Buster Posey.

#ASG-2 Clayton Kershaw

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Blog Kiosk: 7/12/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out the boys during the pre All-Star Game ceremonies above. Who Clayton is gawking at I do not know.

As for the game, I've realized that low-scoring All-Star games are boring, and all I could think about was how I can't wait for the second half to begin.

(pic via @AquaX107 on twitter)

The only Dodger performance of note was by Kenley Jansen. In his single inning of work in the ninth he collected three consecutive strike outs and committed a balk. Heck, the balk was the best part of his outing. With a man on second he forgot to get himself set before delivering his pitch to Avisail Garcia. Almost immediately after throwing the errant pitch he realized his error and was seen visibly laughing about it on the mound -- and as he walked back to the dugout after his outing. No doubt his teammates had some fun at his expense.

Pic above via Jon SooSoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays All-Star Game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1949 the All-Star Game arrived at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn for the first and only time. This was also the first All-Star Game that included black ballplayers -- Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson, Don Newcombe and Larry Doby of the Indians. In 1966 Dodger shortstop Maury Wills hit a walk-off single off of Pete Richert of the Senators in the tenth inning of the All-Star Game in St. Louis to help the National League defeat the American League, 2-1. Other Dodger participants include Jim Lefebvre (who went 0-for-2 as the starter at second base) and Sandy Koufax (who made his only career All-Star start, threw three innings, struck out one, gave up one hit and allowed a single run). Dodger pitcher Phil Regan did not pitch.
• Happy Birthday, Jim Pastorious, Ray Mowe, Artie Dede, Al Glossop, Ron Fairly, Mike Munoz, Kelly Wunsch & Howie Kendrick!