Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 8/30/2012

Above is the September edition of Dodgers Magazine featuring Shane Victorino and Hanley Ramirez on the cover.

• The Dodgers are falling apart-- quite literally.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, Stan Kasten fears losing Billingsley for the rest of the year.

Kasten also said his fear is "not based on medical evidence," even though as CEO he has access to all medical information the club has on each of its players.

Kasten's comment came less than a week after the club gave reporters a vague description of "elbow inflammation" as the reason for Billingsley's placement on the disabled list Saturday after he underwent an MRI.

The club also said Billingsley would have a second MRI when the inflammation subsides later this week to determine the full extent of the injury.

• Kenley Jansen's heart problems have come back, via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA.  Then Mike Petriello at RotoGraphs wonders who will replace him.
• Per a Dodgers press release, Scott Elbert has been placed on the 15 day DL; Shawn Tolleson has been brought back up.
• Matt Kemp is day-to-day after crashing into the outfield wall in Colorado two days in a row, via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times.

“I don’t know how much time,” he said. “I just know that my knee … it’s sore right now. … Hopefully, just a day. We’ll see how everything goes.”

• This homestands Dodgers playbill features Adrian Gonzalez on the cover.  See it on the right.
• Apparently, Yasiel Puig just loves to sign autographs for fans.  David's Autograph Signings shares what he got.
• BTW, Author Paul Haddad will sign copies of his book, “High Fives,” in the right field merchandise tent through the third inning at tonight's game.
• This is too cool!  A hockey game will be played inside a Roman style amphitheater that was built over 2,000 years ago in Europe.  This is like the NHL Hockey Classic to the extreme.  Puck Daddy has the story. Check out a pic of them building the ice rink and seats below.  Click on the pic to embiggen.

(twitter pic)

• Tom Bartsch at Sports Collectors Digest reports on an unusual lawsuit where a collector is suing Fausto Carmona/Roberto Hernandez for his loss in his investment in his rookies cards due to the ballplayers recent finding that he falsified his name and birth certificate.  I should start a new feature called "Frivolous Baseball Lawsuits."
• I don't know why I find this awesome, but I just do.  Via Busted Coverage we find out that a Newport Beach collector is trying to sell his life-size paintings of Shaquille O'Neal on Craigslist-- one of which depicts Shaq as Superman.  Yeah, Superman! 
• COED Magazine brings to you College Football 2012 Week 1 Preview: Cheerleader Edition.  Yowzers! 
• Upper Deck recently interviewed NHL Stanley Cup Champions Los Angeles Kings 2012 #1 draft pick Tanner Pearson during Draft Day.  Watch the video below.

Video Link:

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It's ThinkCure! Weekend

If there is one good thing to come out of the McCourt ownership it is the creation of ThinkCure!  This charity aims to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to help fund cancer research at City of Hope and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and this weekend is one of its principle fundraising efforts.  During the games on Sunday and Monday there will be all sort of fundraising events, so be sure to check them out and give them a hand.  Also, go to their website for more information, here.

Some of the fundraising events and in-stadium activities include the following:

 

• Fans can donate to ThinkCure! by visiting www.thinkcure.org, texting the word “CURE” to 50555 for a $10 donation, or by calling into the telethon at (855) 424-4056 beginning 8 a.m. on Sunday, September 2^nd and ending after the game on September 3rd;
• An auction of Dodger memorabilia by the Dodger Dream Foundation will benefit ThinkCure!;
• A first pitch by leading cancer physicians, researchers and top fundraisers;
• Check presentations already totaling more than $200,000 will be made by key donors, including YAS Fitness Centers founder Kimberly Fowler on behalf of her annual YAS-A-THON spinning fundraiser, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Aaron Harang, and the Los Angeles Dodgers organization;
• A special "Kids Take the Field" event before each game will feature children from City of Hope and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles running on field to get the autographs from their favorite players;
• City of Hope and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles guests will announce that world famous line, "It's Time for Dodger Baseball!";
• The ThinkCure! logo will be painted on the field, and each game will feature two honorary bat kids from City of Hope and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles:
• The City of Hope bloodmobile will be taking blood donations at Viva Los Dodgers in Lot 6 on Sunday, September 2^nd, two hours before game time.

BTW, Since 2009, ThinkCure! has provided $1.84 million in research grants to City of Hope and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

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Collection: Shawn Green Buyback Autograph

Shawn Green has always been one of my favorite players.  He was an unassuming kid who wasn't built like a slugger, but had a swing that could propel balls into the bleachers.  True story here: I actually played against Green as a young teen.  I played ball as a kid in a Tustin youth league and recall hearing about this Shawn Green character.  Unfortunately, I do not actually recall seeing him play, but I do know that even as a kid he was spoken about as being a future MLB'er. 

Featured here is a 2001 SP Authentic Buyback insert card autographed by Shawn Green.

BTW, I was a pretty terrible ballplayer in youth leagues, but I gave it my all.  At least, all that I could.

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Some Dodgers, a Hideo Gnomo Lawn Gnome and the Stanley Cup

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events 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.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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Autograph Alley at Dodger Stadium 

(outside of Dodger Stadium in the centerfield area)

Thursday, August 30th
5:10 PM - 6:30 PM
Tommy Davis

Friday, August 31th 
5:10 PM - 6:30 PM
Ken McMullen

Sunday, September 2nd
11:10 AM - 12:30 PM
Manny Mota Dennis Powell (At Viva Los Dodgers)

Wednesday, September 5th 
5:10 PM - 6:30 PM
Billy Ashley

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Dodger reliever Brandon League will be signing free autographs at a local Staples store in Culver City on Friday, August 31st from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.

Staples Store
11441 Jefferson Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 313-3658

(Hat Tip: Vin Scully is My Homeboy)

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This is probably the coolest minor league game give-away ever.  Really, this is beyond cool. Go here for more info.  From the Blaze website. 

The Bakersfield Blaze is giving out a Hideo Gnomo lawn ornament (or is it a bobble- maybe both?). 

Souvenir Saturday #12 turns the clock forward a few years, and rumbles into a stretch of Rookies of the Year from an old affiliation with the Dodgers. Which one did we pick? The whirling dervish from Japan, Hideo Nomo! A collector's item for all ages, this sensation rocked Bakersfield before putting together a remarkable Big League career. Enjoy your lawn bobble, but get tickets early - we expect a sell-out!

Check out what it looks like below.  Only the first 500 fans get one.

(twitter link)

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Do you want to get your pic with Lord Stanley's Cup.  well, you'll have your chance this coming Sunday, September 2nd.  Go here for more info.

The Ontario Reign, 2011-12 Pacific Division Champions and proud affiliate of the NHL’s 2012 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings, announced they will host the Stanley Cup at Ayres Hotel and Suites Ontario Convention Center on Sunday, Sept. 2 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Jack Ferreira, Special Assistant to the General Manager, Dean Lombardi, is sharing his day with the Cup with the Ontario Reign and their loyal fans.  The Reign’s new host hotel partner, the Ayres Hotel and Suites Ontario Convention Center will host the event in their main lobby to celebrate their new partnership.

"It is an honor to share in the celebration of the Kings' success this season," said Reign President Justin Kemp.  "We are proud to have the opportunity to bring the excitement of the Cup to our fans."

This is a FREE event and does not require a reservation or ticket.  Be sure to arrive early as there are many people expected to be at this Stanley Cup visit.

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