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 

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Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Andre Ethier

Saturday July 12, 2014

Andre Ethier 

2009 Silver Slugger

2011 Gold Glove

2X All Star - 2010 and 2011

$45 - balls, flats, bobbleheads, and figurines

$60 - all other items

$20 - inscriptions

Stage Time: 11:30am - completion

This signing is brought to you by Hall of Fame Sports

13131 Crossroads Parkway South

City of Industry, CA 91746

Follow me on twitter @TrueToTheBlue81

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Andre's Carne Asada Sunday

On Sunday July 28, 2013, after the Dodgers beat the Reds 1-0, Andre Ethier hosted a Carne Asada Sunday.  The Carne Asada Sunday was a fundraiser for Ethier's favorite charity, the Union Rescue Mission in Downtown Los Angeles.  Only 125 tickets were sold to this event so it wasn't very crowded in the Loge Terrace.  After the game was over, the area was opened up to those with tickets and Chef Merito provided carne asada tacos, rice & beans for everyone.  Soft drinks and water were also provided for everyone.  After about 30-40 minutes Andre arrived for a question and answer period hosted by Dodgers historian Mark Langill.

After a few standard questions about Andre and the team's hot streak the forum was opened up for fans to ask questions.  There was only time for about four questions and none of them were that ground breaking or earth shattering.  An interesting note, Andre was talking about how he just finished soaking in an ice tub in the locker room, which drew a scream from a female fan.  Ethier laughed at the scream and told the fan, "next time, you can join me, the tub holds up to six people."  His response drew some more screams from the female fans in attendance.

It was announced that Andre would not be signing any autographs, which was a bit of a disappointment but everyone was allowed to take a professional photo with him.  Additionally, the photos were printed on the spot and everyone was given a gift bag.  The gift bag included an adjustable Dodger cap, a Jaime Jarrin bobblehead, and some Chef Merito seasoning products.

Overall it was a very cool experience and Andre was very chatty and personable with everyone in attendance.  Chef Merito matched the $5000 that was raised through ticket sales and donated another $5000 to the Union Rescue Mission.  Check out my pictures of the event below.

Mariachi entertainment

Andre arriving for the Q & A

Andre answering questions from Mark Langill

The ladies far outnumbered the men

Me & my nephew with Andre

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New Ethier and Kershaw T-Shirts

On Saturday, I blogged about two new Nike Matt Kemp t-shirts.  You can view that post here. Today we'll take a look at two other Nike t-shirts.  The first one, which you can see above, is the Clayton Kershaw t-shirt.  With the nicely worded UP & IN LIKE KERSHAW across the chest.  The second t-shirt, which you can see below, is the new Nike Andre Ethier t-shirt which reads, DRIVE 'EM HOME LIKE ETHIER.

I like all four of the new t-shirt a lot.  Both the Kemp shirts, the Kershaw and the Ethier are all available for purchase in time for Opening Day and the 2013 season.  Which one, if any, will you be buying?

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Torii Hunter In and Andre Ethier Out?

The Hot Stove is burning up with Dodgers news.  There are several rumors centering around Andre Ethier and Torii Hunter.  Several outlets including ESPNLosAngeles.com and The L.A. Times  are reporting the Dodgers are interested in signing free agent Torii Hunter.  Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com is also reporting the Dodgers are willing to discuss trading Andre Ethier.  Despite what Saxon is reporting, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and Dylan Hernandez and Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times are reporting the Dodgers will not be trading Andre Ethier.

Saxon:

"The Dodgers' thinking is to use Hunter as an insurance policy as left fielder Carl Crawford's recovery from elbow surgery crosses into early next season, but they also have made it clear to other teams that they would consider trading Andre Ethier."

Hernandez & DiGiovanna:

"The Dodgers’ widely reported interest in Torii Hunter appears to have been overstated.

The team met with Hunter’s agent at the general managers’ meetings at Indian Wells this week. But it was Hunter’s agent who initially reached out to the Dodgers, not the other way around, according to a person familiar with the talks who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The Dodgers aren’t shopping Andre Ethier, meaning that if Hunter were to sign with them, he would be doing so to be a fourth outfielder since the team also has starting outfielder in Carl Crawford.

Asked on Saturday if that’s something he would consider, Hunter said, “That’s tough. I’m not ready for that. I have too much energy and fire for that.”

But Hunter said he would like to play with Matt Kemp, whom he called “my little brother in this game.”

Rosenthal via Twitter:

#Dodgers not trading Ethier. Hunter would need to accept lesser role if he signed with team. He’s close with both Kemp and Crawford.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 10, 2012

Sources: Hunter prefers to play every day. Ten teams have contacted him, including #Dodgers, #Tigers, #WhiteSox, #Rangers, #Mariners.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 10, 2012

If the price was right, I wouldn't mind the club signing Hunter as an insurance policy for Carl Crawford.  He's a good guy to have in the clubhouse but at 37 years of age, his best days are behind him.  I don't think trading Andre Ethier is a good idea.  New ownership has done a great job building its relationship with Dodger fans and getting rid of a productive player with a big following isn't the best idea.  You either love or hate all the rumors that are flying around this time of year but you have to admit, some of these rumors are interesting.

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Andre Ethier ASU Tailgate

On October 27, 2012, Arizona State University (ASU) hosted the UCLA Bruins during ASU's homecoming weekend.  The Fox Sports West cameras were there as Andre Ethier and his friends & family tailgated before the football game.  Gotta like seeing a superstar athlete keeping it real by busting out the EZ-Up, chairs and camping grills.  Also, Dre stays true to his Mexican-American roots and busts out the chorizo and homemade tortillas.  Check out the video below.

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Clayton Kershaw and Andre Ethier Finalists for Gold Glove Awards

Clayton Kershaw and Andre Ethier have the opportunity to repeat as Gold Glove Award winners at their respective positions.  The winners will be revealed on the 2012 Rawlings Gold Glove Award Announcement Show on Tuesday October 30th on ESPN2.  Kershaw is a finalist along with Bronson Arroyo and Mark Buehrle and Ehtier is a finalist with Jay Bruce and Jason Heyward.

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Andre Ethier Game Worn MLB Cap

Photo Credit: AP/Matt Slocum

 

Pretty excited because I was able to score a game worn Andre Ethier cap in an MLB/Dodgers online Auction.  The cap was worn during the 2012 Civil Rights Game on August 18th.  The Dodgers beat the Braves 6-2.  Looking forward to receiving my cap in the mail real soon.  For now, take a look at what the cap looks like.

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Matt Kemp & Clayton Kershaw Named to 2012 NL All Star Team

I just finished watching the 2012 All-Star Game Selection show on TBS where it was announced Dodger centerfielder Matt Kemp and Dodger pitcher Clayton Kershaw were selected to the 2012 MLB National League All-Star team.  This is the second All-Star selection for both Kershaw and Kemp.

Heading into his start later tonight against the Mets, Kershaw has a 5-4 record with a 2.74 ERA.  While these stats may not seem All-Star worthy, we must remember All-Star selections are sometimes based on your previous season and/or entire career.  Kershaw reputation probably had a lot to do with his selection.  He is coming off his 2011 season when he finished with a 21-5 record and won the NL Cy Young Award.

Before landing on the disabled list with a bad hamstring, Kemp had a monstrous April.  Kemp is sitting on 12 homeruns and 28 RBI.  Kemp will also captain the NL Homerun Derby squad and is hoping to return from the DL on July 13th.  It's unlikely Kemp will be well enough to play in the 2012 All-Star Game. 

Here's hoping Andre Ethier is named as a replacement as he was left off this year's All-Star roster and was not included in the Final Vote. I'm also still holding out hope that Chris Capuano is named as a replacement if there is an injure pitcher who can't appear in the All-Star Game.  Capuano is 9-3 with a 2.69 ERA.

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Andre Ethier's Message to Dodger Fans

Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo

As everyone knows by now, Andre Ethier signed his contract extension yesterday.  The video below is a message he recorded for the fans and it was shown last night at Dodger Stadium.

Take a look...



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Matt Kemp & Andre Ethier Autograph Signing at Frank & Son - Photos & Recap

On Saturday April 28, 2012, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier & Dee Gordon were scheduled to sign autographs at Frank & Son Collectibles Show.  Kemp was schedule to sign from 10am - 11:30am, Ethier from 11:30am - 1:00pm, and Gordon from 11am - 12:30pm.

I have several items signed by all three players and wasn't originally planning to atted this signing.  However, during the last week, I came across some items I thought were cool and wanted to get signed by Ethier and Kemp.  I arrived at Frank & Son around 9:15am and headed in to get my autograph tickets.  I have to say this was the craziest and most crowded paid signing i've been to in a very long time.  I had to wait almost half an hour in line just to get my autograph tickets.  Kemp arrived a few minutes after 10am and started signing right away.  Honabach and Sons had put up several signs stating there would be no posed photographs but people still asked and it made the line move really slow.  At around 11:10am I was still at least 75-85 spots from getting my autograph when an announcement was made that if everyone didn't get their items signed by the ending time of 11:30am, we would be offered refunds or we could leave our items and they would get signed privately.  Although, some might find this o.k., I like getting my autos in person and was a little irritated.  It was apparent Honabach and Sons had oversold the event.

I don't know how or why but Kemp agreed to stay over and sign for everyone that was left in line.  He must've stayed till at least 12:30pm.  After getting my items signed by Kemp and jumped into the line for Ethier's autograph.  Since it was close to his end time, the line was moving pretty quickly and I got up to the front of the line within about 20 minutes.  Andre was really talkative and after he signed my first item, he even extended his hand to shake hands with me and thank me for coming out.  It caught me off guard so I just said "you're welcome" and shook his hand.  As he was signing my second item, I asked him how he liked the SamBat.  He replied, "I love it!" and then I asked him if it was his first year using the SamBat and he stated he "used it a couple of years ago but they weren't using good wood".  I figure they must've been breaking on him.  As he was finishing my autograph I told him they must be using good trees now and asked if the bat was maple and he stated, "yeah, maple".  You can check out my post from the other day about Andre's use of the SamBat by clicking here

I want to give a shout out to my friend Carmen who I saw at the signing and a shout out to Steve who I also saw at the LoDuca signing last week.  I still need to get him copy of the Forbes Magazine with Kemp on the cover.  Also another shout out to Stephanie who I met in line.  It was Stephanie's first signing and she helped me pass the time as we waited over two hours in line.

Check out my pics from the signing below.

Forbes Magazine w/Beast Mode inscription

Ethier 8x10 w/Captain Clutch inscription

Ethier/Kershaw/Kemp 8x10 w/2011 Gold Glove inscription

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Andre Ethier's New Bat

Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo

I could be wrong but it looks like Andre Ethier is using a new bat for the 2012 season.  I didn't notice the new bat during 2011 but like I previously stated, I could be wrong.  Early in his career, Ethier had a signature Easton bat.  Take a look below.

Then about two seasons ago, he started swinging a signature Louisville Slugger.  Take a look at the picture.

Last year during his 30-game hitting streak, he was even seen swinging Matt Kemp's signature KEMPMAN Louisville Slugger. 

So far this year, Ethier's bat has jumped out at me twice.  First off, it's no longer a black bat.  This year he has been using a natural wood colored bat.  The first time I noticed his bat was after the home opener on April 10th when he hit the go-ahead homerun.  Later I checked the LA Times and saw this photo.

Photo Credit: Robert Gauthier/LA Times

Take note of the lighter wood color and the "bat" logo located on his bat.  After I saw the above picture, I kept noticing it on television and in other photos.  Take a look at the photo below taken during a Spring Training game against the Brewers on March 30th.

Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo

Take note in the picture above of the "bat" logo on the barrell of the bat.  Just today I saw the picture below taken Wednesday night against the Braves.

Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo

I did a little research on this bat and it is a SamBat.  SamBat was founded by Sam Holman in 1997 and was the first maple wood bat approved for the major leagues.  They claim to have 100 major league players using the SamBat and it should be noted reigning NL MVP Ryan Braun uses a SamBat.  Take a look at the SamBat logo.

I found it interesting that Ethier was using a new bat model.  As superstitious as some ball players are, I wonder how much credit he gives his bat for his fast start in 2012?

True to the Blue!

Who Caught Andre Ethier's Homerun Ball @ the Home Opener?

Like many Dodger fans, I took Tuesday off from work to go to the home opener and enjoy the opening game festivities as the Dodgers celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Dodger Stadium.  When I returned to work on Wednesday my friend & co-worker April asked me if I was at Opening Day.  Now, i'm friends with April even though she is a HUGE Yankee fan!  We always have friendly discussions about baseball, the Dodgers and the Yankees.  I proceeded to tell April, I was indeed at the home opener and it was a good game with a happy ending.  She then asked me if there was a big homerun to win the game or something like that.  I then explained to her how Andre Ethier came up in the bottom of the 8th and stroked a homerun to give the Dodgers the lead and eventually the win.

April then told me, she thought the game ended like that because her brother had mentioned to her he was at the game and his buddy had caught the game winning homerun ball.  She then pulled up a picture on her phone and showed it to me.  The picture is at the top of this post and her brother Aran is on the right and his friend who caught the ball, Jesse, is on the left.  I told April Jesse was one lucky dude!  That's definitely a ball any Dodger fan would love to have!

For the Andre Ethier Marching & Chowder Society, here is video of the homerun

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Dodgers Beat Padres 6-5 in 11 Innings

Matt Kemp congratulates A.J. Ellis after his homerun

Photo: Dodgers.com

The Dodgers picked up their third win in a row against the Padres to start the season. 

Highlights:

Dee Gordon 3 for 4 with 2 runs, 1 RBI and 3 steals

Matt Kemp 2 for 4 with 2 RBI

Andre Ethier 1 for 4 with 2 RBI

A.J. Ellis hit his first homerun of the season

A.J. Ellis scored the winning run on Dee Gordon's 11th inning single

Javy Guerra picks up his 2nd save of the season

The Boys in Blue go for the series sweep on Sunday.

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New Dodger OYO Sportstoys - Clayton Kershaw, Matt Kemp Andre Ethier

A new line of Dodger toys have hit the market.  They are mini building-block sports figures made by OYO.  These figures are available for players representing all 30 MLB teams.  The Dodgers who have figures are Clayton Kershaw, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, James Loney, Aaron Harang, Chad Billingsley, Dee Gordong and Tony Gwynn Jr.

Each package comes with the figure, bat, ball, glove, cap and numbered stand.

These figures are available in limited retail stores, team stores and online.  They are priced between $9.99 and $12.99.  Here is the link for the OYO website oyosportstoys.com . The figures are also available at other online toy retailers.

Check out the C.J. Wilson figure below.  I included this figure because it shows an actual figure, not just a drawing.

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MLB Network 30 Clubs in 30 Days; Andre Ethier - "This is where I want to be"

On March 19th, MLB Network aired their Dodger episode of 30 Clubs in 30 Days.
Check out the video of Mitch Williams interviewing Andre Ethier.

"I've voiced that this is where I want to be" - Andre Ethier



Here is Mitch Williams with Matt Kemp
"I was a little disappointed. Of course, I think anybody who is that close to winning the MVP wants to win the MVP and is disappointed if they don't." - Matt Kemp



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Video Post: Andre Ethier Shows Off His House & Cars

During the off season MLB Network show Intentional Talk with Chris Rose & Kevin Millar ventured out to Arizona to visit Andre Ethier at his home.  Millar sat down with Ethier and discussed manager Don Mattingly being New York royalty, Andre's favorite visiting club house, Andre's favorite city on the road.  Andre even showed off his cars.

Take a look at the video below

Video Post - A.J. Ellis Reads to Children; Andre Ethier Homerun

As part of Read Across America, A.J. Ellis dropped by the Velma Teague Library in Glendale, Arizona to read to local children.



Just in case you missed it, here is Andre Ethier's first homerun of the spring on Tuesday 3/6/12.

Upcoming Dodger Appearance - Andre Ethier

Saturday April 28, 2012

Andre Ethier

2x All-Star 2010 & 2011

Silver Slugger 2009

Gold Glove 2011

 $59 - cards and photos 8x10 and smaller

$69 - balls, minis, toys, flats 8x10 to 20x24

$79 - bats, jerseys, helmets, game used equipment, flasts larger than 20x24

$25 - inscriptions (up to 3 words)

Stage time - 11:30am - 1:00pm

This signing is being put on by Honabach and Sons and will take place at Frank & Son.  Also scheduled to appear is Matt Kemp.  For more details on the Matt Kemp signing see my post here

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New Items in Dodgers.com Shop - Uniframes: Ethier, Kemp & Kershaw

While surfing through the Dodgers.com online shop, I came across this new Uniframe product.  They are photos made to look like the back of your favorite players jersey.  They include his name, number and a smaller action photo.  They measure 20x20 and sell for $59.99.  It's a pretty steep price but it looks like they come framed.  There are four Dodger Uniframes available, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Clayton Kershaw and Jackie Robinson.

Take a look at the Ethier & Kershaw versions below.

True to the Blue!