Weekend Autograph Opportunities: A Busy LA Kings Weekend

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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LA Kings defensemen Alec Martinez and Derek Forbort will be signing free autographs for fans today, Wednesday, February 15th from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Staples store in Torrance.  Go here for information.

Blog Kiosk: 2/15/2017 - Dodger Links - Pitchers and Catchers Report Day!

With today being the official start of Dodger Spring Baseball I figured the above Associated Press photo, dated February 27, 1949, would be appropriate to share.  Featured are a group of Brooklyn Dodgers at Penn Station in New York as they head on their way towards Vero Beach, Florida.  (eBay Auction Link) Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Members of the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Manager of the bluc's farm system, Branch Rickey, Jr. (at right, front row), leave Pennsylvania Station, New York, Deb. 27, enroute to Vero Beach, Fla., to open spring training on March 1.  From left (front) are: Coach Jake Pitler, Roy Campanella, Buddy Hicks, Rex Barney, and Rickey, Jr.  In back (left to right) are: Jackie Robinson, Gil Hodges and Gene Hermanski.

Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Charlie Irwin, George Earnshaw, Joe Moeller, Ron Cey, Rick Auerbach, Russell Martin & Russ Mitchell!
  

2017 Dodger Spring Training Info and Complete Roster

Last week the Dodgers just released their entire 2017 Spring Training roster, so I thought I would pass that along (see at very bottom).  This should be a helpful guide for those of you attending games at Camelback Ranch.  After all, it just isn't reasonable for you to know everybody's number.  BTW, this list will likely adjust/change as Spring Training moves along.  I'll do my best to update this.  Below are some pertinent dates to keep in mind:

• February 15 - Pitchers and Catchers Report 
• February 16 - Pitchers and Catchers 1st Workout
• February 20 - Position Players Report 
• February 21 - First Full-Squad Workout 
• February 24 - Dodgers Photo Day (media related) 
• March 6 - All Minor League Players 1st Workout

Here are the typical batting and field practice schedules for home games.

Blog Kiosk: 2/14/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Above is a fantastic look at Tommy Lasorda's Dodger office, likely taken in the late 70's.  Directly behind him is his Frank Sinatra wall, and directly to his right are a group of 1977 Topps Dodger cards on a plaque.  Via Arash Markazi at ESPN in a story about Tommy's Dodger Stadium office:

"This is my life," Lasorda said as he stretched his arms out and looked around. "It's all right here in this room. It's all my friends and family. It's like a museum."

Photo above via @Cut4 on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Candy LaChance, Tim Jordan, Abe Kruger, Len Gabrielson & Takashi Saito!
  

Welcome Back to the Blue, Franklin Gutierrez!

This was something I didn't expect.  According to Manolo Hernandez on twitter, veteran outfielder and one-time Dodger prospect Franklin Gutierrez will be signing a one-year free agent contract with Los Angeles.  As you may know, Franklin had originally signed with the Dodgers as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2000, then quickly became the teams top prospect, and was eventually traded to Cleveland in 2004 to get Milton Bradley. 

OF Franklin Gutiérrez is returning to his roots as he’s agreed to a deal with the @Dodgers: a very solid source to @beisbolporgotas.

— manolo hernandez d. (@beisbolporgotas) February 11, 2017

Welcome Back to the Blue, Chase Utley!

Some might argue that Adrian Gonzalez, Clayton Kershaw or Justin Turner are the Dodgers' leader in the clubhouse.  Given this recent signing, Chase Utley clearly is that person.  Per Peter Gammons on his blog:

It was clearly peer driven, respect from teammates, young and old, that even with the acquisition of Logan Forsythe—which was universally applauded by the Dodger players—the players lobbied Friedman and Zaidi for the return of Utley and his impact on what at times seemed to be a disjointed culture. And the powers that be listened, especially since Utley made it clear that the Dodgers were the team for whom he wanted to play.