A Twitter Roundup of Vin Scully's "Vin Cast"

As I'm sure you recall, late last season Vin Scully first indicated that he knew, or at least heard about, twitter.  It was during an early August game against the Cubs when he took to the airwaves and diligently got AJ Ellis trending nationally.  If you don't remember that then watch the video here.

Well, this evening Vin Scully, in lieu of broadcasting the Dodgers/Yankees game in New York, took over the Dodgers twitter account, and he did not disappoint.  If you missed it, have no fear.  I decided to catalog the best of them below for you to enjoy below.  Check it out.

Hi everybody and a pleasant Wednesday evening to you, wherever you may be. -#VinScully
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 19, 2013

No game would be the same without his signature greeting.

I broadcast the Yankee/ Dodger World Series in '53, '55, '56, '63 and '81. No way I could have imagined tweeting a game. -#VinScully
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 19, 2013

The world sure is changing Vin, ain't it?

Ebbets Field is gone. Old Yankee Stadium is gone & I haven't been to the new one. New York is basically a city of memories for me #VinScully
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 19, 2013

It's Time For Dodger Baseball!

2013 Topps Series 2 is in Stores - Check out the Dodgers Short Printed Variations - Kershaw, Kemp, Adrian & Ryu

The second helpings to the Topps flagship Baseball card set, Series 2, has just been officially released.  So, head down to your local hobby shop to check them out.

I'll have pics of every Dodger card in the set soon, so stay tuned.

For now, I thought I would focus on highlighting the handful of short printed Dodger variation cards that are randomly inserted into packs.  Out of the 25 different variations in the set, 4 of them are Dodgers.  At this time, it is unknown exactly how rare these cards are, but (as of this posting) I'll give a rundown on what they've recently sold for.  Keep in mind, it is still too early to really determine rarity.

UPDATE: Check out other 2013Topps Series 2 cards here.

22 Clayton Kershaw

There are quite a few Kershaw "signing autographs" variation cards on eBay already, so it doesn't appear to be very limited.  Only one closed sale exist, but it was done at a "Buy It Now" trade, so we don't know what it actually traded for.  We do know that the auction started at $99.99, so it likely sold around that price level.  Like I said above, with the large number of these cards already on eBay I suspect that sale will be a far outlier - meaning, way over priced.  6 of the Kershaw variations are on eBay with the highest value being $5.00.

228 Adrian Gonzalez

Above is a variation card of Adrian Gonzalez "signing autographs".  This is a very common theme for many of the different variation cards in the set.  Based upon current listings on eBay, this may be very rare.  There are no registered sales, and only one card can be found for sale.  It has one bid at $19.99.

I think the best thing about the above Kershaw and Adrian variation cards are the fans in the background.  How great would it be to realize you know the person in that photo.  Heck, maybe it's you!

242 Matt Kemp

Matt Kemp also has a variation card in the Series 2 set.  We'll call this "cool sunglasses".  Only 1 card has sold on eBay, and it sold for $48.00 under heavy bidding.  Currently, 6 cards are on auction - 1 has a bid of $0.99, and a "Buy It Now" sale sits at $11.99.  This may be a relatively common short print.

The final Dodger variation card is of Hyun-Jin Ryu - also sporting "cool sunglasses".  There has been 1 sale at $56.00 with heavy bidding, and 6 cards are currently available for sale.  So far, bidding ranges from $7.51 to $15.00.  There is a "Buy It Now" listed at $9.99 right now.  This card doesn't appear to be very rare.

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Wills, Castillo and some 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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This coming Sunday a couple of former Dodgers will be visiting T-Mobile stores in the Southland for a meet and greet with fans.  At the Los Feliz store, Maury Wills will come out on Sunday, June 23rd from Noon to 1:00 PM.  323-666-3488

T-Mobile
2919 Los Feliz Blvd. Suite E1
Los Angeles CA 90039

Hat Tip: True to the Blue

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Then, Bobby Castillo will arrive at a T-Mobile in Panorama City for a signing on Sunday, June 23rd from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM.  818-895-8799

T-Mobile
Panorama Mall
8401 Van Nuys Blvd.
Panorama City, CA 91402

Hat Tip: True to the Blue

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Hank Conger, Mark Trumbo & J.B. Shuck will be signing autographs at the OC Dugout on Saturday, June 22nd from 10:00 PM to Noon.  This is a pay event.  Go here to purchase tickets. 

The OC Dugout
1238 S. Beach Blvd., Ste. K
Anaheim, California 92804
(714) 527-6319

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Blog Kiosk: 6/19/2013 - Dodger Links - Puig, the Dodgers/Yankees Twitter War and Bryan Cranston (of Breaking Bad)

Yasiel Puig is now officially on twitter and Instagram.  The photo is from his Instagram account.  Follow him on twitter here.

• Watch the press conference Yasiel Puig gave at Yankee Stadium yesterday, here.
• Via Jon Wesiman at Dodger Thoughts, "Five things you might not remember about the Dodgers’ 1981 clincher".
• Via Aaron Roberts in the MLB FanCave tells about the twitter war between the Dodgers and Yankees.  It's hilarious!
• Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad fame recently did a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) session for fans.  He was asked who were his heroes, and he responded with some Dodger Blue.  See the thread below.

• Sax at Sons of Steve Garvey let's us know that the 5th grader who stood so tall in defense of the Dodgers has been asked to throw the first pitch at this coming Tuesday's home game against the Giants.  Congrats!
• Night Owl Cards tells us about a Legends of Cardboard: former Dodger Carlos Hernandez. 
• Mark Saxon at ESPN writes, "How the Dodgers found the youngest prospect in MLB".
• Check out this incredible .gif of RA Dickey's knuckleball, via Reddit Dshep.  Here is the FanGraphs article about it.

• Ken Gurnick at MLB.com provides an update on Matt Kemp's hamstring rehab.

"Matt said he was great today, and we'll push him more tomorrow," said manager Don Mattingly. "If that goes good, by the time we leave San Diego [on Sunday], I'm hoping Matt can play in a rehab setting at least three or four days."

• Via Ted Johnson at Variety, "Time Warner Cable Sued Over Spending on Lakers, Dodgers Rights".
• I thought the below video took a good look at what makes Puig successful at the plate.  Check out Mark Brook's blog here.

Video Link:

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A Blue Heaven Chat with Aaron in the MLB FanCave About Yasiel Puig's Visit on Monday

With the Dodgers in New York for a historic match-up against the Yankees, Yasiel Puig decided to take in his day off (Monday) in the big city at the MLB FanCave.  As you probably know, uber-Dodger fan Aaron Roberts resides there, and was on-hand to greet the growing legend.  Thankfully, he was kind enough to sit down with us and share the experience with Blue Heaven.  Check out his what he had to say below.

Q:  Thanks for taking some time to tell me about your day yesterday (Monday).  The buzz around Dodgertown is that the Cuban sensation, Yasiel Puig, visited the FanCave.  What were your initial feelings when you heard he would be coming by for a visit?

(twitter link: @MLBFanCave)

A:  We didn't find out until that morning. You can imagine my excitement waking up to that e-mail! Ha! I was going nuts. I couldn't wait. This guy is a legend in the making from my team, and I get to meet him. I was beyond pumped.

Q:  Tell me a bit about when he arrived.  What did you folks do?

A:  When he first arrived, I had the biggest smile on my face. I had seen him play before at Spring Training this year, but I was still shocked to see how big he was in person. The guy's hands are the size of my head. I was actually pretty nervous to meet him because I was wearing my Dodgers Puig shirt and didn't know if that would make him feel weird or be flattering. After the initial round of introductions, we took him around the Fan Cave and showed him all of the amazing things that we get to see and interact with on a daily basis. He was stoked to see everything and was incredibly energetic. We played ping pong, skee-ball, "MLB The Show," joked around and just generally had an awesome time. He's a super nice and funny guy who really likes being a Dodger. That was the part that really put a smile on my face. The fact that this kid likes and wants to be a Dodger.

Q:  I understand that Yasiel heard the first track to Puig Destroyer and remarked, "that's very good".  Was he rocking out to it?  I'd be surprised if he was familiar with grindcore at all.  Although, with that Mohawk he certainly has the punk look down.

A:  He was jamming to it! Ha! He's definitely got that "rebellious punk" side to him. It was awesome because he had never heard them before and was pumped when we told him that it was a band called "Puig Destroyer."

(twitter link: @MLBFanCave)

Q:  Hey, if Puig were to be in a metal band what instrument do you think he'd play?  How do you think Puig would do if a slam pit started up?

A:  Puig would definitely be either the lead singer who screams into the mic and pumps up the crowd or the drummer who uses a double kick drum and throws in a drum roll at every possible opportunity. And I pity anyone who would ever get into a pit with him! There would definitely be some broken bones that night. The guy is a beast!

Q:  I saw a few pics on twitter of Puig hanging out and noticed that he played some ping pong.  Was he any good?  Did you play him, and if so, who won?

(instagram link: aprilwhitzman)

A:  I did get to play ping pong with him! Definitely one of the many highlights I have while being in the Fan Cave. He was really good too. I fancy myself a fine pong player, but I've got to say that he bested me. It was close, though. We played to five and he beat me 5-to-4. I was a little scared he was going to hit a rocket and my paddle would shatter! Ha ha!

Q:  I also saw him with that huge bat.  Does he plan on taking that out to Yankee Stadium today?

(twitter link @MLBFanCave)

A:  That bat that he was holding is awesome. It's a fixture of the Fan Cave and all the sluggers that come by pick it up. So naturally, Puig went right to it. I'm pretty sure if he used that thing at Yankee Stadium, he'd hit the ball out of Dodger Stadium (get it!? Because it's across the country? I'm so funny!).

Q:  Thanks again for being such a great Dodger FanCave rep.

A:  No, thank you for supporting me and following the MLB Fan Cave! This has seriously been the most amazing experience of my life and I appreciate the questions!

I can't tell you how envious I am of Aaron.  He is immersed in nothing but Baseball and has an opportunity to meet some of the best Baseball players around.  If you're interested in watching a video of Puig's day in the FanCave check out the video they provided below.  It's great.

Video Link:

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