Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Autograph Alley, Some Lakers, Clippers and Jim Abbott

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities 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.

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Autograph Alley at Dodger Stadium gets busy for the 1st weekend series of the young season. The "Alley" is located through the centerfield entrance in the outfield and can be accessed from the outside of the stadium. This weekend one former Dodger star will be on hand to sign for fans before the game. Check out the schedule below. As always, signatures are free for all. (Please note that the Sunday signing will be at Viva Los Doyers- in the Dodgers parking lot)

Friday, April 13:
5:10 PM - 6:30 PM
Tim Leary

Saturday, April 14:
4:10 PM - 5:30 PM
Kenny Landreaux

Sunday, April 15:
11:10 AM- 12:30 PM (at Viva Los Doyers)
Derrel Thomas

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Also on Saturday will be a book signing by former Olympian, Angels and Yankee starter Jim Abbott. He will be signing his new book title, "Imperfect: An Improbably Life" at a Barnes & Noble in Huntington Beach. Go here for details.

Date: Saturday April 14, 2012 3:00 PM
Barnes & Noble
Bella Terra
7881 Edinger Avenue, #110
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
714-897-8781

Special Notes: One item of memorabilia allowed per book purchased from Barnes & Noble HB. Limit of five books per person. Personalization may be allowed. No posed photos.

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A couple of Lakers will be signing at free events. Below are some details.

Lakers Guard Steve Blake will be at a Metro PCS Store on Saturday. Details can be found here.

Date: Saturday, April 14; 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
MetroPCS
2118 West 7th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90057
(714) 730-2884

Hat Tip: LA Inspiration



Lakers Forward Matt Barnes will be at the Westfield Culver City. Details are here and here too.

Date: Saturday, April 14th; 3:30 - 4:30 pm
Adidas/Champs
(Westfield Culver City)
6000 Sepulveda Blvd.
Culver City, 90230

Hat Tip: LA Inspiration

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Clipper players Caron Butler and DeAndre Jordan will be making an appearance on Sunday. They will sign autographs and take photos with fans. Details are here.

Date: Sunday, April 15, 2012; 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Commerce Casino
6131 E. Telegraph Road
Commerce, CA 90040

Hat Tip: LA Inspiration

Collection: 2005 Edwin Jackson Leaf Certified

I recall seeing this kid pitch on the mound at the tender age of 20 in 2003. In fact, his very first Major League game was on his 20th birthday. Anyway, the kid was raw, but filled with tons of promise. He was regarded, at the time, to be a potential future ace and a can't miss prospect, and for one day, at least, he proved many of those scouts right.

Edwin Jackson was a September call-up during a season that can be best described as forgettable. The Dodgers were 10.5 games out of first place, and had nothing to lose by testing out a young arm in a season already considered lost.

So, they threw the kid out to the wolves, and witnessed a pitching duel they did not expect (but hoped for). Edwin Jackson allowed just one run in six innings while out-dueling future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson of the Diamondbacks. He was as good as advertised, and much of Dodger Nation rejoiced at the thought of having a future ace on our hands.

Unfortunately, that feeling would not last long. The next season he looked overwhelmed and unsure of himself. His strike out rate plummeted as his ERA climbed. Edwin Jackson was looking like a flash in the pan. Soon, he was traded away to Tampa Bay for a couple of relievers not worth mentioning. He has since bounced around the league, and recently signed on with his 7th different club for this season.

Featured in this post is my 2005 Leaf Certified Materials Red Mirror Parallel autographed card of Edwin Jackson numbered out of 250.