Dee Gordon Signing - Recap & Photos

Dodgers short stop Dee Gordon was scheduled for an autograph appearance at the OC Dugout baseball card shop in Anaheim.  The signing was scheduled to take place between 5pm & 7pm.  The Dodgers were playing a 1pm game against the Rockies so I had a feeling the signing wouldn't start exactly at 5pm.  I decided to arrive around 4:30pm just to make sure the line wasn't too long.

When I arrived, there were about 25 people in line so I went inside to purchase a ball and an 8x10 to get signed.  I got in line and right away realized I was in line with DodgerBobble.  DB and I have corresponded through our blogs and e-mail and have been at some of the same signings but our paths have never crossed.  It was good to finally meet him face to face.  Being in line with other fans definitely makes the time go by quicker.  As most everyone knows, the Dodgers & Rockies went into extra innings yesterday, which delayed Dee's arrival.  Luckily Matt Kemp's walk off ended the game before it went too long.  A big thank you to the OC Dugout staff for providing some pizza and bottled water to everyone waiting in line.  It was a nice touch since most of us were in line for a couple hours.

A few minutes before 7pm, a black Dodge Challenger pulled into the parking lot and we could all see Dee cruising in behind the wheel.  Afte a few minutes, the OC Dugout staff were allowing groups of about 5 into the shop.  This allowed time for fans to chat with Dee a little and pose for pictures.

Here are some pics -

The OC Dugout staff passing out water & pizza

Dee's ride

Dee posing for pics with families

Another family with Dee

The line as I was leaving

The 2nd part of the line as I was leaving

My baseball signed by Dee

8x10 signed by Dee

Overall, it was a great experience.  I would guess there were about 75-85 people who showed for the signing.  Shout out to DodgerBobble, Ramon & Alex for making the time go by.  I know there were a few other cool people I met but didn't catch everybody's name.

True to the Blue!

Matt Kemp's walk off! Home run #31 & RBI #100

Nothing beats a Dodger walk off celebration!

True to the Blue

And the winner of the Matt Kemp Bobblehead is...

I posted earlier this week that I would be giving away a Matt Kemp bobblehead this morning at 10:00am.  The trivia question was, Matt Kemp hit his first major league homerun on June 1, 2006, at Dodger Stadium. 
Who was the opposing team that day?

Desert Doyer Carlos was the first person to reply with the correct answer.  The Philadelphia Phillies were the Dodgers' opponent when Matt Kemp hit his first major league home run.

Congrats Desert Doyer!  You will be receiving the bobblehead soon.
For those of you that have been out to Camel Back Ranch for Spring Training have probably seen Desert Doyer around.  He is a huge Dodger fan!

Keep reading the blog, I'll probably be giving something else away in the next few days.

Contest Time - Here is the Trivia Question

You must answer the question in the comments section down below.  The first one to answer correctly wins the bobblehead. 

Matt Kemp hit his first major league homerun on June 1, 2006, at Dodger Stadium. 
Who was the opposing team that day?

Good luck...

True to the Blue!

Contest/Giveway Time - Matt Kemp Bobblehead

I was taking my bobbleheads out of my closet so I could display them in my office and  I came across a couple extra bobbleheads and a couple of other items i've decided to give away.  In the 6 months that i've been writing this blog i've given away a few things.  On 2/10/11 I gave away an Andre Ethier All Star fleece linked here and on 4/20/11 I gave away some Opening Day items linked here

Well, it's about that time again.  However, this time, I'm going to steal a page from the DodgerBobble playbook.  Trust me, his "book" is much better than Don Mattingly's.

First things first, you have to be a "follower" of my blog.  This means, your name must be in the list of followers in my blogs sidebar.  It's on the top left side bar of the blog.  It's pretty simple, if you're a "follower" you can win, if you are not, you can't win.  So become a follower now.  Click on "FOLLOW" and the instructions are easy to follow.

Second, for my other give aways i've required a picture or just plain & simply given away the item.  This time, i'm going to ask a Matt Kemp related trivia question.

Last item to note, I will be giving away the bobblehead on Saturday morning August 27, 2011 @ 10am.  This will give you all plenty of time to become "followers"

Good luck and stay tuned...

True to the Blue!

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Matt Kemp - REMINDER

Just a reminder for those of you that want to be in the first 200.  Original post linked here

August 26, 2011

Matt Kemp

2009 Silver Slugger

2009 Gold Glove

2011 All-Star

Metro PCS

3700 S. La Brea Ave.

Los Angeles CA 90016

11am-12pm

FIRST 200 FANS ONLY

ONE AUTOGRAPH PER PERSON

Injury Bug Bites Rafael Furcal...Again!

I was looking forward to watching Rafael Furcal over the next few days as the Dodgers take on the Cards in St. Louis.  Rafael was always one of the most exciting Dodgers to watch when he was healthy.  However, I was disappointed, but not surprised to read on Dodgers.com Furcal missed the Cardinals game on Sunday and will miss tonight's game against the Dodgers.

According to Ken Gurnick:



Furcal said his thumb is healing from a freak injury he suffered Saturday during batting practice at Wrigley Field, where a wooden board split when he stepped on it and he broke his fall bracing with his right hand, twisting the thumb. He said he can now hold a bat and throw a ball and hoped to be back in the lineup Tuesday night.

Tripped on a wooden board and twisted his thumb? Damn, poor Furcal.  The more things change, the more they stay the same.  Hopefully, he can get back in the lineup Tuesday night.

On a happier note, Furcal showed some love for the L.A. fans.  Gurnick also qouted Furcal as saying:

"The fans there treated me so good. I got hurt and I was disappointed I couldn't play for them. This was a tough decision for me. But I'm a professional. It was tough for me, emotional. I played there 5 1/2 years, I still have a home there. It was a great experience there."

True to the Blue!

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - 2011 L.A. Sports Card & Memorabilia Show #2

Diamond Star Sports Cards and Hall of Fame Sports are presenting the L.A. Sports Card & Memorabilia Show 2 on Friday October 28, Saturday October 29, and Sunday October 30, 2011.  The show will include autograph appearances by Pete Rose, Vida Blue and the two former Dodgers below.

Saturday October 29, 2011

Bill Madlock

L.A. Dodger - 1985-1987

3x All Star - 1975, 1981 & 1983

All Star MVP - 1975

World Series Champion - 1979

4x Batting Champ -1975, 1976, 1981 & 1983

$19 - balls, flats, minis & equipment

$29 - bats, helmets, jerseys & artwork

$10 - inscriptions

stage time: tba

Sunday October 30, 2011

Maury Wills

5x All Star - 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965 & 1966

3x World Series Champion - 1959, 1963 & 1965

2x Gold Glove - 1961 & 1962

All Star Game MVP - 1962

National League MVP - 1962

$25 - balls, flats, minis & equipment

$35 - bats, helmets, jerseys & artwork

$15 - inscription

stage time: tba

Glendale Civic Auditorium

1401 North Verdugo Road

Glendale, CA 91208

Friday, 10/28/11 - 4pm to 9pm

Saturday, 10/29/11 - 10am to 6pm

Sunday, 10/30/11 - 10am to 3pm

General Admission $5 per day - children 12 & under free

Keep checking back for more details.

True to the Blue

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Tommy Davis

Back on August 3, I posted info on the Carl Erskine signing on December 3, 2011 @ Frank & Sons.  The signing is being put on by Hall of Fame Sports.  You can see that post linked here .  Tommy Davis has been added to the signing on December 3rd.

December 3, 2011

Tommy Davis

2x All Star - 1962 & 1963

World Series Champion 1963

2x Batting Champion - 1962 & 1963

prices - tba

stage time - tba

Keep checking back for stage times and prices.

True to the Blue!



Ned Colletti - New Cubs Gengeral Manager?

I'm sure Dodger fans would love nothing more than to see Ned head out of town.  While I don't place sole blame on some of the Dodgers transactions on the shoulders of Colletti, he has made some very suspect deals.  I believe his hands are somewhat tied when it comes to signing high priced free agents and when it comes to extending Andre Ethier & Matt Kemp.

Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com has Colletti's response to rumors that he is a candidate to possibly replace recently fired Jim Hendry in Chicago.  You can read Jackson's article here

Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness takes a closer look at the chances Colletti ends up in Chicago. linked here

True to the Blue!



1981 World Series Champion 30 Year Reunion Signing - UPDATE

During the last month, I've been posting info on the 1981 World Series Champion 30 Year Reunion signing Hall of Fame Sports is putting together on November 5th.

Tommy Lasorda linked here

The Infield - Garvey, Lopes, Russell & Cey linked here

Pedro Guerrero & Steve Yeager linked here

Kenny Landreaux linked here

Dusty Baker linked here

Hall of Fame Sports has set some of the prices.  They are as follows:

Tommy Lasorda

2 time World Series Champion

2 Time NL Manager of the Year

2000 Olympic Gold Medal Manager

Hall of Fame 1997

$99 - balls & flats up to 11x14$119 - large flats, minis, caps & equipment
$139 - helmets, bats, jerseys & artwork
$20 - inscriptions$8 - PSA/DNA
stage time TBA

Steve Garvey 

1974 - MVP

1974 - All Star Game MVP

1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 - Gold Glove

1978 - All Star Game MVP

1978 - NLCS MVP

1984 - NLCS MVP

10x All Star

$35 - balls & flats up to 11x14.
$40 - large flats, minis, caps, figurines & equipment

$50 - bats, jerseys & artwork
$10 - inscriptions

Davey Lopes

1978 - Gold Glove

4x All Star

$30 - balls & flats up to 11x14
  $35 - large flats, minis, caps, figurines & equipment
$40 - bats, jerseys & artwork
$10 - inscriptions

Bill Russell

3x All Star

$25 - balls & flats up to 11x14
  $30 - large flats, minis, caps, figurines & equipment
 $35 - bats, jerseys & artwork
$10 - inscriptions

Ron Cey

6x All Star

1981 World Series Co-MVP

$30 - balls & flats up to 11x14
$35 - large flats, minis, caps, figurines & equipment
$40 - bats, jerseys & artwork
$10 - inscriptions

Pedro Guerrero

1981 World Series Co-MVP

1982 Silver Slugger

$35 - balls & flats up to 11x14
$40 - large flats, minis, caps, figurines & equipment
$50 - bats, jerseys & artwork
$10 - inscriptions

Steve Yeager

1981 World Series Co-MVP

$20 - balls & flats up to 11x14
$25 - large flats, minis, caps, figurines & equipment
$35 - bats, jerseys & artwork
$10 - inscriptions

Kenny Landreaux

All Star - 1980

World Series Champion - 1981

Dusty Baker

NLCS MVP - 1977

2x All Star - 1981 & 1982

2x Silver Slugger - 1980 & 1981

Gold Glove - 1981

$59 - balls & flats up to and including 11x14

$69 - large flasts, minis, caps, figurines & equipment

$89 - bats, jerseys & artwork

$20 - inscriptions

stage time tba

There will also be "Super Tickets" available. 

The MVP Super Ticket including Cey, Guerrero & Yeager

Only 100 Available ($20 savings)

$65 - balls & flats up to 11x14
$80 - large flats, minis, caps, figurines & equipment
$95 - bats, jerseys & artwork

The Infield Super Ticket including Garvey, Lopes, Russell & Cey

Only 100 Available ($20 savings)

$99 - balls & flats up to 11x14
$119 - large flats, minis, caps, figurines & equipment
$139 - bats, jerseys & artwork

A "Super-Ticket" will be sold which will include most guest.  This ticket will go on sale on or about 9/1/11.

Keep checking the blog for more players to be announced.

True to the Blue!



$12 - balls and flats up to & including 11x14

$20 - large flats, minis, caps, figurines & equipment

$25 - bats, jerseys & artwork

$10 - inscriptions

stage time tba

Dodgers Tuesday Web Round Up - Hello Kitty, Frank Sinatra, Casey Blake & more

Sinatra Family, suing the Dodgers Steve Dilbeck Dodgers Blog

Casey Blake's last days in a Dodger uniform? Steve Dilbeck Dodgers Blog

Ted Lilly clears waivers, is a trade next? Howard Cole OCRegister

Bobble Heads from the California League Dodgerbobble

Ernest  at Blue Heaven says Hello Kitty is a sign of the apocalypse Blue Heaven

True to the Blue!

Subway/Dodgers Buy 1 Get 1 Ticket Offer

While picking up some lunch today, I saw this small flyer on the counter at Subway.  Buy one $20, $25, or $35 Reserve Level Ticket and get one of equal value FREE!  This offer is valid for the following dates:

Saturday 8/27 vs Colorado

Monday 8/29 vs San Diego

Tuesday 8/30 vs San Diego

Monday 9/12 vs Arizona

Tuesday 9/13 vs Arizona

Wednesday 9/21 vs San Francisco

You can purchase your tickets in advance at Dodger Stadium and the prices are only $18, $22 & $30.

If you purchase the day of the game the prices are $20, $25 & $35.  Tickets can also be purchased on line at Dodgers.com.  Just follow these steps:

1. Click on Tickets

2. Click on Ticket Specials

3. Enter Promo Code SUB11

True to the Blue!

Reminder - Dodger Appearances This Saturday 8/13/11 - Cey, Kemp & TGJ

Matt Kemp

2009 Silver Slugger

2009 Gold Glove

2011 All-Star

linked here

Tony Gwynn Jr.

Sports Authority

4950 Faculty Ave.

Lakewood, CA 90712

12pm-1pm

linked here

Ron Cey

Johnny Rockets

100 Cityplaza - Universal City Walk

12pm-1pm

True to the Blue!

How Many Games Can Kershaw Win This Season?

Clayton Kershaw's record sits at 13-5 and he has matched his win total from the 2010 season when he finished with a record of 13-10.  Kershaw started 30 games in 2009 and started 32 games in 2010.  Thus far in 2011 he as made 24 starts and will probably only get 6 or 7 more starts.  Based on that, it is unlikely he will reach 20 victories this season.  The Dodgers have not had a 20-game winner since Ramon Martinez went 20-6 in the 1990 season.

While it appears a 20-win season is unlikely, Kershaw can still finish with the most wins by a Dodger pitcher in the last 7 seasons.  I'll admit number of wins isn't the sexiest pitching stat and there are other modern stats that can prove a pitcher's worth.  However, to most fans whether they be die-hards or casual fans, the number of wins for a pitcher is one of the first things they look at.

These are the Dodger leaders in victories in a season over the last 6 seasons:

2005 Jeff Weaver - 14-11

2006 Derek Lowe - 16-8

         Brad Penny - 16-9

2007 Brad Penny - 16-4

2008 Chad Billingsley - 16-10

2009 Chad Billingsley - 12-11



With 4 more victories, Clayton Kershaw can have the most wins for a Dodger starting pitcher since Chan Ho Park in 2000.  Park finished the 2000 season with an 18-10 record and was the last Dodger pitcher to win more than 16 games.  My humble prediction is Kershaw will finish with a record of 17-7.  What's your prediction?

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Matt Kemp

August 13, 2011

Matt Kemp

2009 Silver Slugger

2009 Gold Glove

2011 All-Star

Living Spaces

1519 Hawthorne Blvd.

Redondo Beach, CA 90278

10am - 12pm

True to the Blue!

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Dee Gordon

August 27, 2011

Dee Gordon

$20 - balls, mini helmets, flats up to 16x20

$30 - equipment, flats larger than 16x20

$10 - inscriptions

$8 - PSA/DNA

Time - 5pm - 7pm

OC Dugout

1238 S. Beach Blvd Ste. J

Anaheim CA 92804

True to the Blue!

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Dusty Baker

November 5, 2011

Dusty Baker

NLCS MVP - 1977

2x All Star - 1981 & 1982

2x Silver Slugger - 1980 & 1981

Gold Glove - 1981

$59 - balls & flats up to & including 11x14

$69 - large flats, minis, caps, figurines & equipment

$89 - bats, jerseys & artwork

$20 - inscriptions

stage time tba

Dusty is the 8th member of the 1981 World Series Champion Dodgers to be added to this signing put on by Hall of Fame Sports @ Frank & Sons.  Keep checking back for stage times.

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Kenny Landreaux

November 5, 2011

Kenny Landreaux

All Star - 1980

World Series Champion - 1981

$12 - balls and flats up to & including 11x14

$20 - large flats, minis, caps, figurines & equipment

$25 - bats, jerseys & artwork

$10 - inscriptions

stage time tba

Kenny Landreaux is the 7th player added to Hall of Fame Sports 1981 World Series Champion 30 Year Reunion signing on November 5th.  He joins Tommy Lasorda, Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell, Ron Cey and Pedro Guerrero

True to the Blue!

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Carl Erskine

December 3, 2011

Carl Erskine

Brooklyn Dodgers 1948-1957

Los Angeles Dodgers 1958-1959

1954 All Star

1955 World Series Champion

6/19/52 No Hitter vs Chicago Cubs

5/12/56 No Hitter vs New York Giants

Signing will take place @ Frank & Sons & is put on by Hall of Fame Sports

True to the Blue!

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Steve Lyons

Dodger announcer Steve "Psycho" Lyons has been added to the Dodger signing at Frank & Sons on October 1st.  The signing is being put on by Hall of Fame Sports.  So far the lineup is Don Newcombe, Tim Leary, Wes Parker and now Lyons.

Here is the link to the Tim Leary info linked here

Here is the link to the Wes Parker info linked here

October 1, 2011

Steve Lyons

Current Dodger Announcer

Played for Red Sox, White Sox, Braves & Expos over 9 seasons

$29 - flats, balls, figurines & minis

$29 - equipment, bats, jerseys & artwork

11:30am - 1:00pm

Also made famous for dropping his pants during a game.  See the video below.

True to the Blue!

Clayton Kershaw Reacts to 4th Complete Game

After the game on Monday, Clayton Kershaw was interviewed by Jim Watson & Steve Lyons on Dodgers Live.  Check out the video below:

Tony Gwynn Jr. Signing @ Frank & Sons - Recap & Photos

On Saturday July 30th, I attended the Matt Kemp & Tony Gwynn Jr. signing @ Frank & Sons in the City of Industry.  You can read my recap and see my pics of Matt Kemp linked here

Tony Gwynn Jr. was scheduled to sign at the same time as Matt Kemp, from 11:00am - 12:30pm.  TGJ arrived a little late and Matt Kemp had already been signing for a while when he arrived.  Once TGJ took care of signing for the promoter backstage, he emerged and starting signing for the fans.  It's hard for me to guess/estimate how many people were there too see TGJ since the Matt Kemp crowd was very large.  If I were forced to guess, I would say a little over 100 fans made their way to get TGJ's autograph.

In the picture above, you can see TGJ signing my 8x10 that Andre Ethier signed last month and Matt Kemp signed a few minutes before.  I thanked Tony for his time and he thanked me for coming out.  He was a really laid back guy and had a big smile for the kids that were coming up to get his signature.

Here is a picture of my signed 8x10

TGJ/Kemp/Ethier doing their victory leap

True to the Blue!