Matt Kemp Trade Rumors

With the MLB trade deadline less than a week away, the trade rumors are heating up.
Here are the latest Matt Kemp trade rumors from around the web.


Baseball writer Danny Knobler tweeted the following:

Heard Mets trying hard to move Bartolo Colon, which isn’t exactly a surprise. Also no surprise: Dodgers trying hard to move Kemp.
— Danny Knobler (@DannyKnobler) July 22, 2014

Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork tweeted:

Yanks are currently not in on Matt Kemp, according to a source.
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) July 25, 2014

The following excerpts are from Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com

"The Dodgers are making calls, and rival executives have the feeling the Dodgers are ready to move on, if possible. And Kemp, an LA guy as an Oklahoma product could ever hope to become, apparently is ready to go, too."

"Five teams are said to have shown interest, or at least talked to the Dodgers, and you can be sure L.A. will keep in touch with those teams."

"Word going around the game is that things are deteriorating between Kemp, and the field staff."

"One rival executive asked about Kemp suggested he wouldn't touch what's left of that $160-million contract, which seemed very reasonable at the time despite being the largest ever in the NL when it was signed, and another executive said he's getting “mixed” reports about Kemp's play and recent persona. Both executives noted that they had heard Kemp and the field staff aren't seeing eye-to-eye."

In the same article, Heyman attributed the following quotes to Kemp's agent Dave Stewart:

“Eight years is a long time to be in one place. Sometimes change is good. This might be the time to change.”

“It's been up and down his whole career. It's never been smooth. Some of it's the player, some of it's the situation. It's not the player, it's not management, it's both. It's never smooth.”

“He's busted his ass. He's run into walls. At some point, you do something good for the player.  Whether you play him in center field, or you trade him, you do something"

It will be interesting to see if Kemp is actually traded by the deadline.  The Dodgers could use some arms to shore up their starting pitching and the back end of their bullpen. 

True to the Blue!

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Joc Pederson

Saturday September 6, 2014

Joc Pederson

$29 - flats 8x10 and smaller

$39 - baseballs, bobbleheads, flats larger than 8x10

$49 - bats and jerseys

$15 - inscriptions

Stage Time: 10am-11am

This signing is brought to you by OC Dugout and Honabach and Sons.

The signing will take place at Frank & Son Collectible Show

True to the Blue!

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Steve Garvey and Pete Rose

Monday August 11, 2014

Steve Garvey and Pete Rose

San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino

Doors open at 6:30pm

Dinner served at 7:00pm

The $40 cost includes a three-course dinner.

 "Garvey & Friends" follows dinner. 

Get tickets at Ticketmaster.com or the San Manuel Box Office. 

Seating is limited.

 Buy your tickets early.

True to the Blue!

Pee Wee Reese and Roy Campanella Bobble Head Night

Saturday night July 12, 2014, was Pee Wee Reese and Roy Campanella bobble head night at Dodger Stadium.  The Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 1-0 behind an excellent pitching performance by Paul Maholm.  I read on the Dodgers web site that former outfielder and 1981 World Series Champion Derrel Thomas would be signing autographs in the left field plaza before the game.  I dug out a couple of Thomas cards from my collection and got them signed.

The Pee Wee and Campy bobble head is awesome.  I feel it is one of the best bobbles the Dodgers have given away.  Take a look at the two pictures below.

True to the Blue!

Andre Ethier Signing - Recap and Photos

On Saturay July 12, 2014, Hall of Fame Sports hosted an Andre Ethier autograph signing at El Tepeyac restaurant in the City of Industry.  Ethier was scheduled to sign from 11:30 am to completion.  I have an Ethier personal collection that includes some signed bats, balls, and photos.  Some of them are individually signed or are projects that include other players.  I attended this signing with two objectives.  First, to complete my 2011 All-Star baseball that also includes Clayton Kershaw and Matt Kemp.  Second, to get Ethier's signature on a game used cap that he wore during the Civil Rights Game in 2012.  

I arrived at El Tepeyac at approximately 10:15am, picked up my will call tickets and decided to grab some breakfast.  One plus about Hall of Fame Sports events is that they have fans line up by number based on the order you purchase your tickets.  Since I had number 35, I knew my wait wouldn't be too long.  The only minor complaint I had, and trust me it isn't much of a complaint, is that since the event was held outside and there was such a large turnout, it was a little hard to hear when they were lining up the numbered groups.

Ethier arrived on time and immediately began signing.  The initial group was number 1 through 25 and within a few minutes they called up numbers 25 through 50.  I jumped in line and within 5 minutes had my items signed and was on my way home!  Take a look at my pictures below.

Ethier signing away

Ethier signed my game used cap

A side view of the cap which is MLB Authenticated

Ethier's auto on a 2011 All-Star baseball

Kershaw's auto on the same ball

Kemp's auto on the same ball.  The ball is complete. All 3 Dodger 2011 All Stars.

This was another well organized event put on by Hall of Fame Sports.

As always, Ethier was friendly with fans and in good spirits.

Follow me on twitter @TrueToTheBlue81 

True to the Blue!

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Drew Butera

Saturday July 12, 2014

Drew Butera

Sports Authority 

Midtown Crossing

4550 Pico Blvd.

Los Angeles CA 90019

(323) 634-0438

Time: 11am - 12pm

Don't forget the Andre Ethier signing click here for more information 

Don't forget the Dee Gordon signing click here for more information 

Don't forget the Mike Marshall signing click here for more information 

True to the Blue!

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Dee Gordon

Saturday August 2, 2014

Dee Gordon

2014 All-Star

$30 - flats up to and including 11x14

$35 - baseballs, minis, 16x20, caps & bobbleheads

$45 - bats, jerseys, equipment & artwork

$15 - inscriptions

Time: 11am-12pm

This signing will take place at 

Harry's Dugout

10715 Beverly Blvd. 

Whittier Ca 90601

(310) 606-1548

2014 MLB All-Star Caps

For the first time ever, the MLB All-Stars will be wearing caps made specifically for the All-Star game.  They are made from the same material as the official batting practice caps from New Era.  You can see the front view above.  Take a look at the other angles below.  These are the caps that Clayton Kershaw, Yasiel Puig, Zack Greinke, and Dee Gordon will be wearing on Tuesday July 15, 2014.

True to the Blue!

Baseball Tonight Crew Discusses Clayton Kershaw's Dominance

True to the Blue!