Blog Kiosk: 6/26/2013 - Dodgers Links - A Puig Promotion Night, Paco's Celebration & Druken "Fall"ies in Korea

The Dodgers have added a new promotional game to their schedule.  On Sunday, July 14 (a game against Colorado) they will be giving out the above Yasiel Puig T-shirt to the first 40,000 fans.  They will be available in two sizes, medium and extra large.

• Congratulations to UCLA for winning the College World Series!

#UCLA has won its first College World Series #CWS and 109th NCAA title! Congrats to @UCLABaseball team! #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/jBbhXY1Txu
— UCLA (@UCLA) June 26, 2013

• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy tells us that 16-year old Dodger prospect Julio Urias has signed with Scott Boras.
• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA gives us a rundown on the just release mid-season Baseball Prospectus Top-50 prospect report, and two Dodger youngsters made the cut.
• Hanley's feeling good.  Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Hanley Ramirez turns back the clock".

It took Hanley Ramirez about one second to answer the question, "When was the last time you felt this good at the plate?"

"Um, 2009, when I was the batting champion," Ramirez said. 

• Infectious Joy!  .gif below of Paco's celebration via Dodgers tumblr.

• Via Stephen Bailey at the LA Times, "Matt Kemp begs manager to play, backs it up with game-saving grab".
• Via Brandon Lennox at True Blue LA, "Dodgers 6/25/13 minor league report - Top 2013 picks Chris Anderson, Tom Windle in debut with Loons".
• This might be the second greatest tradition in sports.  After the Blackhawks Stanley Cup victory the other night, fans went to their coach's home, Joel Quenneville, at TP'd it.  The pics are a sight to behold.  Via Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy.
• Has this ever happened in a Major League game?

A guy drank a bit too much and fell over the fence onto the field at the feet of KIA's Na Ji-whan  #KBO pic.twitter.com/cvfGDfmX96
— Dan (@MyKBO) June 26, 2013

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Hunt Auctions at the All Star FanFest - Rare Jackie Robinson Memorabilia Related to Debut as a Dodger

This seasons All-Star game in New York will not only feature the best Baseball players in the league, but will also host an auction by Hunt Auctions at its FanFest.  It's a huge offering that includes 826 different lots; including items from the collections of Warren Spahn and former MLB umpire Artie Gore.

In fact, there is one item within the Artie Gore collection that I thought was too great not to share here.  Featured below is an actual game used Baseball from Artie's very first game he ever umpired, April 15, 1947 at Ebbets Field, which happens to coincide with Jackie Robinson's very first Major League Baseball game.  So, this is a game used Baseball from Jackie's first Major League game.  Artie Gore manned third base as umpire and Jackie played first base for the Dodgers.

The memento was given to Gore to commemorate his first game, and was a present to his wife Millie for her many years of dealing with her husbands years of toil as a Minor League umpire.  Artie Gore was 39 when he finally made the Majors.  The ball has been signed by Hall of Fame umpire Al Barlick and fellow umpire "Babe" Pinelli.  The ball has also been inscribed with particulars from the game:

Brooklyn - 5
Boston - 3
Opening game 
Brooklyn + Boston
15, April - 1947

By remarkable coincidence, Artie Gore also was the home plate umpire when Jackie Robinson debuted in the Minor Leagues in 1946 as a member of the Montreal Royals.  Gore would eventually umpire in the Majors for 10 years in 1,464 games.

(Auction Link)

Below is another item related to Jackie Robinson's debut as a Dodger.  It is a letter writted by Jackie to a fan in Kentucky named Charles.  It is dated just 17 days after his first game as a Dodger, May 2, 1947. 

Dear Charles, 

I want to thank you and the others for your really nice letter.  I am really glad to have received just such a letter. No I was not surprised to receive a letter from the South because there are many more Southerners who share the same feelings you have and I am sure that it will be fellows like yourselves that will go a long way in furthering the democratic way of life most of us want.  As for my treatment in Louisville last year, it was overshadowed by some very nice letters I received from residence of Louisville.

Thanks again for your letter and I might add there is a lot of encouragement in every line.

Sincerely, Jackie Robinson.

I think it's fair to say that Jackie's exploits had created a fan, and that it in turn helped change the world for the better.

(Auction Link)

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Guerrier, AGon, Kenley, Mike Marshall and a Dodger Fest at Frank & Sons (Puig, Kemp and More)

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.

This is a very busy Saturday for Dodger Autograph collectors.  There are 4 different events happening on Saturday, and 2 of them are free for fans!  There are 12 different current and former Dodgers' signing.  On top of that, Kenley Jansen is signing this afternoon on La Cienega.  Wow!

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Kenley Jansen will be at a T-Mobile store on La Cienega in Los Angeles on this afternoon, Wednesday, June 26th from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.  This is a free event for fans.  More information is here.

T-Mobile store
350 S. La Cienega Blvd.

Los Angeles, 90048

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Adrian Gonzalez will be at a T-Mobile store in Huntington Park on Saturday, June 29th from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  This is a free event for fans. 

T-Mobile store 

6900 Pacific Blvd.

Huntington Park, 90255

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Matt Guerrier will be meeting with fans and signing autographs at the Sports Authority in Burbank on Saturday, June 29th from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.  This is a free event for fans.  More information is here.

Sports Authority
1900 W. Empire Ave. Ste R12 
Burbank, CA 91504 

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Former Dodger Mike Marshall will be in Whitter on Saturday, June 29th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Harry's Dugout.  Go here for more information.  This is a pay event.

Harry's Dugout
10701 W Beverly Blvd
Whittier, Ca 90601

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This weekend is a Dodger weekend at Frank & Sons.  Nine Dodgers will be in attendance to sign for fans.  Check out the below flyers for information, or go here.  Click on any flyer to embiggen.

Scott Van Slyke is on rehab assignments in Albuquerque, but is expected to be back in LA before the weekend.  I suspect if those plans change and he remains on rehab with the Isotopes, then his appearance at Frank & Sons will be postponed.

Frank & Son Collectible Show
19649 E. San Jose Ave.
City of Industry, CA 91748

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