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.
Panini just released their newest Baseball card set earlier this week and it's 2012 Prizm Baseball. Why they continue to use the 2012 date I do not know - it's confusing... and stupid. Anyway, this set is fulled with shiny chrome cards. They also lack MLB team logo's, so they look a little strange. Panini was shut out of a MLB license, but they did get a license from the Players Association. Still, it's a little uncomfortable looking at a card and not seeing the Dodgers logo where it should be.
Below are all of the Dodgers' players you can find in the set, starting with the base set. Panini even includes one old-timer, Fernando Valenzuela.
#3 Matt Kemp #15 Hanley Ramirez
#29 Clayton Kershaw #39 Adrian Gonzalez
#82 Zack Greinke #110 Andre Ethier
#113 Carl Crawford #128 Fernando Valenzuela
#183 Elian Herrera RC
Elite Extra Edition Autograph Cards
#EEECS Corey Seager
Team MVP Cards
#MVP14 Matt Kemp
Top Prospects Cards
#TP6 Zach Lee
USA Baseball Cards
There is also an autographed version of this card. Unfortunately, a photo of it is not available at this time.
From Last Nights Dodgers Pride Night at the Staples Center, here is Jim Hill, Luc Robitaille, Tommy Lasorda and Eric Stonestreet. Pic via Twitter @Dodgers.
Mike Petriello at Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness writes a timely piece called, "Is It Time For Yasiel Puig Now? How About Now? (No.)" Mike is right, Puig just isn't ready yet. But he will be once he figures out pitch recognition and can lay off the breaking stuff.
Mark Saxon at ESPN wonders, "Is Carl Crawford becoming a different kind of hitter?"
But what has been a surprise, a pleasant one, for Mattingly is
Crawford's approach. Always a free swinger, Crawford has been more
selective for these first few weeks. His batting average probably isn't
particularly telling, but few would have expected a .426 on-base
percentage from him at this point of the season, or really any point of a
season.
Orel at Sons of Steve Garvey retells Vin Scully's story from Tuesday recalling the perils of live commercial broadcast.
MLB 13 has alternative covers available for download, and one of them features Matt Kemp. Go to their facebook for more info.
The NHL hockey regular season is quickly coming to close. The Kings are safely near the top of the pack in the conference, and baring a spectacular meltdown look headed to make the playoffs for the 4th season in a row. They've rebuilt the franchise from the bottom up and are obviously reaping the rewards. That being said, the Dodgers headed to the Staples Center last night in celebration of local sports pride, but I think the Blue Crew hoped a little bit of that Kings magic rubs off on them.
It was Dodgers Pride Night last night, and I was there to bask in its glory. Furthermore, I wanted to make sure I got a glimpse of those cool looking Dodgers hockey jersey's the Kings would be wearing for the pregame warmup, so I had plans to get there early. Unfortunately, that didn't go as planned. By the time I did finally arrive the Kings were finishing up their warmups and I only had a chance to see them in Dodger Blue for just a few minutes. Check out the only pics I was able to capture below. Click any pic to embiggen.
Fortunately, both the Dodgers and Kings provided a great back up plan. Check out some of the pics provided by Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 2013 below and some videos by KingsVision. Also, the pic above was tweeted by the Kings.
BTW, the Kings beat the suddenly good Columbus Blue Jackets, 2 to 1. I swear, I turned to my seat-mates and said, "I don't remember Columbus being this good." Anyway, on to the pictures.
In the above pic (from left to right) is Dustin "pancakes" Penner, Brad "put me in coach" Richardson, Slava "I'm better than Jack Johnson" Voynov, Mike "glad to leave Philly" Richards, and Alec "Estrada" Martinez. Below left, Brad Richardson gets in front of the Kings flag and Dustin Brown shows his singular move to the camera on the right. See more photos from the Dodgers at Jon SooHoo's blog here. BTW, all of the photos were taken by Jon's cohort, Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 2013.
Here is a KingsVision video of the Kings in Dodger Blue. The background music really sucks. What's the deal, Kings?
Tommy Lasorda was also on hand, and dropped the ceremonial puck. I love how he crouches deep down to drop the puck, shakes Kings team captain Dustin Brown's hand, and turns around to leave without acknowledging the Blue Jackets captain, former Kings Jack Johnson. This had my row busting up in laughter.
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