Upcoming Appearance - Abner Mares

Saturday February 9, 2013

Abner Mares

WBC Super Bantamweight Champion

$25 - flats up to and including 11x14

$35 - large flats, figurines, shoes, minis & ring bells

$45 - gloves, trunks, robes, belts & art

$15 - inscriptions

$49 - photo op

Stage Time: 1:30 - 3:00 pm

This signing is being put on by Hall of Fame Sports and JD Legeng Promotions at Frank and Son.  Also signing on February 9th as part of this show is Sugar Shane Mosley.  For details on Sugar Shane's signing, see my post here

True to the Blue!

Upcoming Appearance - Magic Johnson & Jerry West

Saturday February 9, 2013

Magic Johnson

$99 - all autographs

$25 - inscriptions

Stage time: 1:00pm

Jerry West

$99 - all autographs

$25 - inscriptions

Stage time: 12:00pm

$179 - special rate if you buy an autograph ticket for both Magic and West

Long Beach Expo

Coin, Stamp & Sports Collectible Expo.

Long Beach Convention Center
100 South Pine Ave
Long Beach, CA 90802

888-743-9316

True to the Blue!

Time Warner Cable to Launch New Dodger Channel

Bloomberg News, linked here , and the Los Angeles Times, linked here, is reporting the Dodgers and Time Warner Cable have agreed to terms on a deal that will grant Time Warner Cable to broadcast Dodger games.  The current broacast rights are owned by Fox News Corp and expire after the 2013 season. 

According to Bloomberg:

"An announcement of the agreement is imminent, although no deal has been signed yet, said the people, who asked not to be named because the decision isn’t yet public. The games will be carried on a new regional sports network developed by Guggenheim Partners, which bought the Dodgers for $2.15 billion last year. Time Warner Cable will be a partner in the project and won’t own the television rights outright, the people said."

According to the LA Times:

"The Dodgers’ deal is expected to be finalized and announced Thursday. The team has not yet submitted the deal to Major League Baseball for approval, but the control of the channel is expected to rest with the Dodgers’ owners rather than with Time Warner."

True to the Blue!

2013 Dodgers Community Caravan

On Monday January 21, the Dodgers will start their 2013 Community Caravan.  There will be stops for five straight days throughout the greater Los Angeles area.  Take a look at the itinerary below.

Monday January 21st

City Year Day of Service at Belmont High School in Los Angeles.  Scheduled to stop by as part of the caravan are Tommy Lasorda, Billy Ashley, Bobby Castillo, Al "the Bull" Ferrara, Lee Lacy, Tim Leary, Joe Moeller, Wes Parker, Dennis Powell and Derrel Thomas.

Tuesday January 22nd

From 11am to 1pm, the caravan stops at the Southeast YMCA in Huntington Park.  Joining the caravan will be Billy Ashley, Al "the Bull" Ferrara, Eric Karros, Lee Lacy, Tim Leary, Joe Moeller, Dennis Powell, Derrel Thomas, Bill Russell and Fernando Valenzuela.

Wednesday January 23rd

The caravan will stop at Project Youth Green/Youth Speak Collective in Pacoima from 10am to 12pm.  Ron Cey, Jim Gott, Steve Yeager, Al "the Bull" Ferrara, Lee Lacy, Tim Leary, Wes Parker, Dennis Powell, Bill Russell and Spanish-language announcer Pepe Yniguez will be part of the caravan.

Thursday January 24th

Playworks in Inglewood will host the caravan from 9am-11am.  Joining the caravan will be "Sweet" Lou Johnson, Kenny Landreaux, Al "the Bull" Ferrara, Lee Lacy, Joe Moeller, Dennis Powell, Derrel Thomas and Steve Yeager.

Friday January 25th

The caravan concludes on Friday with four stops.  The caravan will include current Dodgers, Luis Cruz, A.J. Ellis, Mark Ellis, Andre Ethier, Tim Federowicz, Adrian Gonzalez, Javy Guerra, Matt Guerrier, Kenley Jansen, Clayton Kershaw, Brandon League, Don Mattingly, Nick Punto, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Skip Schumaker and Shawn Tolleson.

The stops on Friday will be:

9:45am to 11:15am - The Santee Educational Complex in Los Angeles
11:50am to 1:15pm - Inner-City Arts in Los Angeles
1:45pm to 3:30pm - Tobinworld in Glendale
4:00pm to 5:45pm - LA Boys and Girls Club in Los Angeles

True to the Blue!

Adrian Gonzalez & Matt Kemp Autograph Signing - Photos & Recap

AGON23 in deep thought

On Saturday January 12, 2013, Matt Kemp and Adrian Gonzalez were scheduled to make appearances at the SoCal Baseball and Sports Collectors Expo.  Kemp was scheduled to sign from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Gonzalez was scheduled to sign from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  I arrived at the Anaheim Marriott around 10:00 a.m. and took a look around the ballroom that was holding the event.  There were several dealer's tables selling current sports cards and there were dealers who were selling vintage cards as well.  Kemp arrived on time and began signing immediately.  While I have several Kemp autographs, I needed his signature on my Sports Illustrated that I had Magic Johnson sign back on November 3, 2012.  For my recap on that signing check out my post here . The autograph line was moving quickly and Matt was polite as always.  Check out my pics below.

Matt Kemp signing a Sports Illustrated

Matt Kemp signing a jersey

My Sports Illustrated signed by Magic and Kemp

At 2:00 p.m., Adrian Gonzalez arrived and also began signing immediately.  This was my first time getting an autograph from Gonzalez and he seemed like a really shy person.  He was nice and interacted with the fans but was a mellow guy.  Check out my pics below of my #AGON23 autograph on a PS27:1 model Trinity Bat.

Overall it was a good day at the SoCal Baseball and Sports Collectors Expo.  It reminded me of the days when there were huge shows at the Anaheim Convention Center.  Hopefully, this event returns next year bigger and better.

True to the Blue!

Jered Weaver Autograph Appearance - Photos & Recap

On Saturday January 12, 2012, Angels pitcher Jered Weaver was scheduled to appear at the SoCal Baseball and Sports Collectors Expo at the Anaheim Marriott.  Weaver was signing courtesy of LOJO  Sports, OC Dugout and Honabach and Sons.  Weaver was scheduled to sign from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Weaver arrived on time and there were lots of Angel fans in attendance to get his autograph.  While i'm not an Angel fan, Weaver is one of the best pitchers in MLB and I wanted to get his autograph on a ball.  Weaver arrived on time and began signing right away.  He was chatting with fans and was a pretty cool guy. I got his autograph along with the NH 5-2-12 inscription for the no hitter he pitched on May 2, 2012.  I saw several Angel fans getting their ticket stubs from his no hitter signed.  Check out some pics from the singing.

Weaver and the World Famous Lance from OC Dugout

Weaver and Lance again.

After I got Weaver's autograph, I hung around the Expo for awhile.  After about half an hour, it was announced Steve Garvey was signing autographs at the Jager Sports booth.  Garvey and his son Ryan were at the Trinity Bat Company Home Run Challenge earlier in the day, so I was surprised they both showed up at the Expo.  Even though I have several Steve Garvey autographs, I figured I'd head over to the Jager Sports booth to see  what was going down.  I approached Garvey and he stated he was signing balls, photos, and jerseys he had brought with him and all proceeds would go to charity.  I thanked him for his time and let him know since I had several of his autographs, I was more interested in getting his son Ryan's autograph.  He said for a $5 donation I could get Ryan to sign my ball.  So I forked over $5 and got Ryan Garvey's autograph.  Last season Ryan played for the Grand Junction Rockies in the Pioneer Rookie League.  Check out the ball he signed for me.

Check back tomorrow for my photos and recap of the Matt Kemp and Adrian Gonzalez signings.

True to the Blue!

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Steve Garvey

Saturday January 12, 2013

Steve Garvey

Steve Garvey and his son Ryan Garvey are scheduled to appear at the Trinity Bat Co. Home Run Challenge.  I posted all the information on the Home Run Challenge here .  To get your hands on an official Adrian Gonzalez #AGON23 Trinity Bat Co. T-Shirt, see my post here

True to the Blue!

Trinity Bat Co. 2013 Home Run Challenge

This Saturday January 12, 2013 @ Mater Dei High School, Trinity Bat Co. will host their Second Annual Trinity Bat Co. Home Run Challenge.  There is a $10 admission and proceeds will benefit the Cory Hahn Fund.  Cory is a former High School All-America outfielder and pitcher from Mater Dei High School.  On February 20, 2011, Cory sustained a paralyzing spinal cord injury while playing for Arizona State University.

Scheduled to appear at the home run challenge are:

Steve Garvey - Dodgers
Mark Trumbo - Angels

Travis Witherspoon - Angels
Ryan Garvey - Rockies

Ian Stewart - Cubs
Trayvon Robinson - Orioles

Brandon Barnes - Astros

Daric Barton - A's

Trayce Thompson - White Sox

Keith Castillo - Rays

Cody Decker - Padres

Nolan Arenado - Rockies

Nick Ramirez - Brewers

Cole Garner - Yankees

David Nick - Diamondbacks

Matt Scioscia - Angels
Aaron Northcraft - Braves

Tyler Rahmatulla - Cardinals

Bryan Nicholson - Giants

Connor Burke - Rays

Danny Muno - Mets

Matthew Young - Cardinals

What: 2nd Annual Trinity Bat Co. Home Run Challenge

Where: Mater Dei High School - 1202 West Edinger Avenue  Santa Ana, CA 92707

When: January 12, 2013.  10 am - 4 pm  Food trucks from 10 am - 2 pm

Who: Top High School & Collegiate Stars & Big League Stars (past, present and future) and many more.

Why:  Raise funds and awareness for the Cory Hahn Fund and have fun at an exclusive event! 

Food:  Gourmet Food Trucks - Burger Monster, Macho Nacho, Mustache Mikes, Chick Fil A 

Parking: Main Lot "Monarch Way" off of Edinger, Second lot off of Bristol just North of Edinger

Tickets: Purchase before the event below or at the two Gate locations off of Monarch Way or Bristol St.

Click here to read about Andre Ethier inviting Cory Hahn to 2012 Spring Training.

True to the Blue!

Adrian Gonzalez Signature Bat & T-Shirt

Dodger first baseman Adrian Gonzalez uses a bat from TRINITY BAT CO.  Like most major league players, he has his own signature model, the PS27:1.  I think it's pretty cool that he used a bible verse for the letters and numbers for his model number.  Most players incorporate their uniform numbers or something similar.  Here is a pic of the PS27:1 model.

TRINITY BAT CO also sells AGon23 t-shirts via their website linked here The t-shirts sell for $15.00.  Check out the picture below.

Last year TRINITY BAT CO held a charity Homerun Challenge, see my post linked here , which benefited former Mater Dei High School and Arizona State University (ASU) baseball player, Cory Hahn, who was paralyzed during a game at ASU.  TRINITY BAT CO will be hosting their 2nd Annual Homerun Challenge this year.  Check back tomorrow for details.  Also don't forget Adrian Gonzalez will have an autograph signing this Saturday.  Click here for post with all the info.

True to the Blue!

Opening Day is 88 Days Away

Photo Credit: Me

The Dodgers 2013 season will begin on Monday April 1, 2013 @ 1:00 p.m.  The Dodgers will be taking on the defending World Series Champion San Francisco Giants.  The game will be televised by ESPN.

True to the Blue!