Fare Thee Well, Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman and his blog, Dodgers Thoughts, was the inspiration that lead me to starting this blog.  So, it is with a heavy heart that I say farewell. 

As he said, he won't be entirely absent from blogging about the Dodgers.  He just won't be doing it regularly.  If that's the one silver lining, then I am grateful.  After all, his prose will be like an unexpected gift.

Thanks again for everything, Jon.

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Ahoy, Matey! We'e Got Oursel'es a Doubleheader

Arr, me hearty!

In the spirit of "Talk Like a Pirate Day" here's thar startin' gentlemen o' fortune.  We battle them scallywags of DC.  Thars like the menacing go'ernment privateers o' the east.  We shall plunder and defeat 'em wit the strength of a thousand men!  Then make 'em walk the plank. 

Thars a double-bill, so hold on to ya hats.  Our mateys are in fore a long night.

1. Mark "Peg Leg" Ellis shall man second base
2. Andre "Lefty O' Jack" Ethier is in right
3. Matty "Bison Dubloons" Kemp in that center
4. Adrian "the Spanish Buccaneer" Gonzalez shall take first
5. Hanley "Deadlights Ketch" is thar shortstop
6. Shane "Corsair Islander" Victorino in left
7. Luis "the Little Buccaneer" man the hot corner
8. AJ "Cap't" Ellis is catchin'
9. Aaron "Hangman" Harang shall be throwin' darts

Who'll will them DC Scurvy's send to swab against us?

Who cares!  Victory is ours!

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: A Bunch of Angels

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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CJ Wilson, Garrett Richards and Kevin Jepsen will be signing autographs at The OC Dugout this coming Saturday, September 22nd from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Go here to order your tickets.  You can also get tickets the day of the event.  BTW, this store is also having a private signing with Nomar Garciaparra on September 25th.  Go here for ordering information.

The OC Dugout

1238 South Beach Boulevard, Suite J

Anaheim, CA 92804

714-527-6319

CJ Wilson autograph prices:

• Small items: $40
• Large items: $60
• Inscriptions: $20
• PSA/DNA authentication: $10

Garrett Richards autograph prices:

• Small items: $20
• Large items: $30
• Inscriptions: $10
• PSA/DNA authentication: $10

Kevin Jepsen autograph prices:

• First 100 people in line: 1 FREE autograph (limit 2 per group)
• Additional autographs after 2 per group: $10 per autograph 
• After the first 100 people: $10 per autograph
• PSA/DNA authentication: $10
• Note: If you pay for a Jepsen autograph, you are entitled to   1 FREE inscription if you'd like. 
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Metta World Peace hosts charity fundraiser for his non-profit, Xcel University on Thursday, September 20th from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM at The LAugh Factory on Sunset. *Tickets will be available at Will Call starting at 6:30pm.  Metta will MC the event and the Comedian Line Up is: Alex Scott, Malik S, Chris D'elia, and TOM ARNOLD!  It is $30.00 and get your tickets here.

@ the Laugh Factory
8001 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90045

Hat Tip: LA Inspiration

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MVP candidate Mike Trout will be at the Oakley Store in the Irvine Spectrum on Saturday, September 22 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.  No outside items allowed.  Customers will be able to choose between a free baseball or a free poster to be signed by Mike Trout, no purchase necessary.

Irvine Spectrum Center Oakley Store
71 Fortune Drive, Suite 944
Irvine, CA 92618

Hat Tip: LA Inspiration

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 9/19/2012

2012 Topps Triple Threads is officially out.  Topps shared the above photo of the Jackie Robinson bat knob card on twitter in celebration.  Below is a really great looking Steve Garvey book card they shared.  Both of these cards are "1 of 1".  BTW, I'll be featuring cards from the set, including base cards and some of the relics, soon

• So, wait a minute here... Kershaw might pitch again this season.  Why are we playing with danger.  Via Mike Fiammetta at MLB.com we find out that Clayton got a second opinion.

Clayton Kershaw was examined Tuesday by a hip specialist, who said the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner can continue to pitch without risking further damage to his right hip, but the Dodgers will not allow Kershaw to take the mound if the pain persists.

• As some of you may know, Ned Colletti is a huge hockey fan.  Ryan Kantor of the Kings took a moment to sit down and talk to him about it.

Q: What are the similarities between hockey and baseball?
A: “I think the grind. You don’t play every day in hockey but the physical grind of playing an NHL season is not easy, much like playing baseball where you play it every single day. They’re different type of sports, baseball’s not a contact sport as hockey is, but the daily grind, traveling all the time and getting ready to play every day is very similar. From an athletic standpoint you need great hand-eye coordination in both sports.”

• Michael Winerip at the New York Times shares some letters from his father who had written to both Lou Gehrig and Jackie Robinson with a questionnaire.  Check out their responses back to him.  Jackie named HOF Al Barlick as his favorite umpire, Branch Rickey as the greatest influence on his career, Dick Tracy was his favorite comic, and his favorite song was Mona Lisa.
• Eric Stonestreet of "Modern Family" fame was kicked out of a Dodger game for a little altercation, via TMZ.
• Three year old Christian Haupt is everywhere.  Here, Joe McDonnell at FoxSports writes about the pitching prodigy.

Christian Haupt is just three-years-old. That's not a typo. He's really just three. And with the perfect motion — at least for a prodigy — he threw the ball harder, straighter and longer than most of the men, women or children chosen to throw out the ceremonial first pitch over the course of a season in Chavez Ravine.

And this kid is passionately Baseball crazy.

 "He started watching a black and white baseball documentary one time, and it was the only show he would watch on television for a year-and-a-half. He would watch it for 10 or 20 minutes a day—nothing else. Not a live game; not cartoons. So, that's when we knew he had the passion."

• Lindsay William-Ross at the LAist notes that the Dodger Stadium renovation design team has been selected.

Fans of L.A.'s Big Blue, your team's Chavez Ravine digs are destined for a new look. The Los Angeles Dodgers have selected Ashton Design to do a renovation of the historic baseball stadium.

The Baltimore-based firm made the announcement themselves on their site blog, revealing two members of "team Ashton," Jonathan Han and Ronnie Younts, have already been doing some preliminary walk-throughs of the venue.

• AEG is for sale.  They are the owner of the Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings and the Galaxy.  Via The Fourth Period.

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