Weekend Autograph Opportunities: An NBA Weekend!

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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BTW, Paul LoDuca was scheduled to appear this Saturday at Harry's Dugout.  Unfortunately, that personal appearance has been rescheduled for the next month, Saturday, July 20th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.  Apparently, Pauly is stepping up his game.  He has been hired to do a ESPN broadcast of a UCLA game that afternoon.  I believe it's related to either the men's or women's collegiate Baseball/Softball playoffs, but I'm not entirely sure.

Good luck, Pauly!  Maybe we'll see you in the booth at Dodger Stadium one of these days.

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There are several great blogs that devote much of their time to the art of autograph collecting.  Oftentimes, they share their hobby by showing fans who they were able to get.  The best part, though is that they are willing to give tips about an upcoming event that may not be well known to others.  One great site that does this on a fairly consistent basis is Jesse at LA Inspiration.  Check out his site here.

Well, a few days ago he pointed to a NBA event that looks like a great time.  It is called NBA Nation and it's the League’s traveling interactive basketball experience.  This weekend it will be at the Universal Citywalk; on Sat. and Sun. from noon to 8:00 PM each day.  BTW, it's FREE!  If you're in the area it might be worth a visit.  Go here for details.

Universal Citywalk
100 Universal City Plaza 
Universal City, CA

Here are the players and some events you should expect to see: (I do not know if the players will be signing autographs)

6/1 - 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Darren Collison

 

6/1 - 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Klay Thompson

6/1 - 2:00pm - 5:00pm
NBA Legend Darryl Dawkins

6/1 - 3:00pm - 4:00pm
L.A. ClipPercussion 

6/1 - 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Clippers Spirit Dance Team

 

6/1 - 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Power 106 All-Star Game

6/2 - 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Laker Girls

6/2 - 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Darryl Dawkins

Hat Tip: LA Inspiration

Here is a photo of what you should expect to see.

• Check out the Sprint Unlimited NBA Experience. Test your skills in Kevin Durant’s Unlimited Free Throw Competition and Steve Nash’s Fast Break Challenge. Fans can enter to win a new Sprint phone, take home free prizes, and check out the latest phones and offers from Sprint.
• NBA Nation’s Center Court is home to a variety of contests and clinics with NBA and WNBA Players and Legends, as well as special appearances and performances by NBA Team mascots and dance teams.
• Are you the best amateur dunker? Enter the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown in your city to prove it! You could win $2,500 and the chance to compete in the Championship event to win $10,000.*
• Visit the Dribble to Stop Diabetes tent and participate in a pop-a-shot challenge and fun photo op. You will have a chance to win exclusive prizes while learning more about how to help stop diabetes. Dribble to Stop Diabetes is a partnership between the NBA, Sanofi US and the American Diabetes Association.
• Step on board our 18-wheel, 53’ show truck, where you can play the latest NBA video games or take your photo inside the NBA Nation Locker Room.
• Grab an NBA Nation Passport, visit the different basketball activities and partner areas and receive a stamp for each activity completed. Complete your passport, become an NBA Nation “citizen” and receive a special prize!

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Yo Dodger Blue (LA Loves You) by Harry Nilsson - A Dodger Song

It just came to my attention, via a tweet from Craig Robinson, that the legendary singer/song writer Harry Nilsson wrote a Dodger song.  It's called "Yo Dodger Blue (LA Loves You)" and is thought to have been originally recorded in 1990. This song was previously unreleased.

Unfortunately, I  was unable to embed the recording here, so check out the website "For the Love of Harry Nilsson" to check it out.  Go Here.  I guarantee you'll like it.  It's a simple and easy song to sing along to.

As you may know, Nilsson attained commercial success in the early '70's and won 2 Grammy's in his career; including a Grammy for the lead song in the movie Midnight Cowboy.  BTW, Nilsson was born in Brooklyn and eventually traveled west to Los Angeles, just like the team.

Again, checkout the Dodger song, here.

UPDATE:  I guess I should have check youtube first, eh?  Well, below is the song Yo Dodger Blue for your listening pleasure.

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 5/29/2013 Some Dodgers Links

Check out this great photo shares by Sports Illustrated. Sandy Amoros (15), Don Bessent (46), Don Newcombe, Duke Snider (4) and a bottle of beer celebrate in the Brooklyn Dodgers’ locker room after beating Pittsburgh in Sept. 1956. ( John G. Zimmerman/SI)

• Craig Goldstein at Fake Teams puts together a prospect review of our 16-year-old pitcher, Julio Urias; complete with gifs.

When it comes to what Urias throws, he's a precocious talent, showing three pitches that have a chance at being plus. Prior to being signed, Urias threw an upper 80s to lower 90s fastball, and a change up that projected as plus as well. His curve would flash plus but was fairly inconsistent. At only six feet tall and a...mature build (you'll see) there might not be a ton of projection left in regards to the fastball.

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Thoughts provides a long list of examples of Dodgers grit.
• Via Vin Scully Tweets on Twitter.  Ryu was good last night, eh?

• Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times lets us know that soccer will be played at Dodger Stadium in August.  In my opinion, it's not as cool as the hockey game that will be played months later.  Still, you gotta like how they are expanding the use of our second home.  BTW, Real Madrid will be playing in a game.  They tell me they are a good team.
• Craig Calcaterra at Hardball Talk makes note of Mark Walter's hands-off approach to ownership.  I'll add that anyone who actually wanted Magic Johnson to be actively involved with the team is nuts.
• MLB FanCave shares a pic of a 1955 Jackie Robinson cap that was on display at a New Era Cap event, via their twitter.

• Alex Remington at FanGraphs makes note of the passing of Dr. Lewis Yocum.  He was the Angels team doctor for 36 years, and started out as an intern for the legendary Dr. Frank Jobe.  RIP Dr. Yocum.
• Soda Shaq!  Shaquille is launching his own branded soft drink.  Pic below via his twitter.  Hat Tip: Chris Partlow at Next Impulse Sports.

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