Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Paul LoDuca and AngelsFest

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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Harry's Dugout in Whitter will be hosting former Dodgers catcher Paul LoDuca on Saturday, July 20 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.  Go here for more information.

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This coming Saturday is the AngelsFest at Frank & Sons.  Tim Salmon, Mickey Hatcher and Adam Kennedy will be appearing.  Unfortunately, I do not know at what time Hatcher or Kennedy will be appearing.  Vladimir Guerrero was scheduled to appear, but that has been postponed.  Per a statement from Guerrero:

To all my fans:
Because of unforeseen circumstances beyond
my control, it is impossible to attend the upcoming
appearance and signing.

I hope you can all understand and I will reschedule
for a later date. Hopefully in August.

Thanks to all!!

Frank & Son Collectible Show
19649 E. San Jose Ave.
City of Industry, CA. 91748
Phone: (909) 444-7955

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A Preview of 2013 Topps Mini's Including Puig and Koufax Auto's

Topps just released some preview pics from their upcoming 2013 Topps Mini set, and they included a few Dodgers to gawk at.  Check out the Yasiel Puig and Sandy Koufax autographed cards above, and the Jackie Robinson Chasing History insert card below.

As the name of the set suggest, it is a mini version of Topps Baseball flagship set.  There are 661 cards in the base set, a Chasing History insert set, autographed cards and a relic set.  At first glance, it appears the base set has the exact same checklist as the normal flagship set.  It will officially be available on July 31st - which coincides with the start of the National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago. 

Boxes can only be purchased directly from Topps online and it will run you $52.99 a box.  Go here to place an order.  You can't buy now, but you can order a box at the end of the month (July 31st).  I believe Topps will have boxes available at The National. 

BTW, the Yasiel Puig autographed card will be inserted within packs.  So, it will be the very first certified autographed cards of his put into packs.  On a side note, last year Topps included a surprise card in their Mini Set (#662) that featured Bryce Harper.  I'd make a $100 bet that Topps does the same thing this year, and that surprise card is of Yasiel Puig.

Go to a post by Chris Olds at Beckett to see more pics and a complete checklist.

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Blog Kiosk: 7/17/2013 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw, Magic's Bobblehead and the Newest Teenage Dodger Alberto Estrella

Check out a happy Clayton Kershaw just before the start of the All-Star game.  Pic via twitter @Dodgers.

• Roberto at Vin Scully Is My Homeboy tells us about the upcoming 2013 Shrine of the Eternals Induction Day ceremony on Sunday, July 21st.  BTW, blogger Emma Amaya, who writes the Dodger Blue World blog, will be getting the 2013 Hilda Award that recognizes distinguished service to the game by a baseball fan.  Congrats Emma!
• Tom Hoffarth at Further Off the Wall shares a great essay from John Paciorek (brother of former Dodgers Tom Paciorek) that was in response to a interview shared over the weekend featuring Tommy Lasorda.  Check out that Tommy interview here.
• Via Kevin Baxter at the LA Times, "Sibling rivalry helped push Ricky Nolasco to major league glory".
• "Dodger Stadium wireless improvements a bigger job than anticipated," via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA.
• Gellman at Sports Card Uncensored takes a look at the impact Yasiel Puig will have on the 2013 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball card set.
• The Dodgers make another international signing.  Per Ben Badler of Baseball America, they have signed Dominican Infielder Alberto Estrella for $600,000.00.

Estrella, a 16-year-old who has played in the International Prospect League, stands out for his size (6-foot-4, 195 pounds) and righthanded power potential. Estrella, who has spent time at shortstop, might be able to play third base but with his build he could end up at first base or an outfield corner spot. 

• Dodgers Beat captured a pic of the Magic Johnson bobblehead the Dodgers will be giving out on September 12th.

ICYMI @MagicJohnson #Dodgers Bobblehead given out September 12 vs #SFGiants pic.twitter.com/sy3XeYzWe4
— DodgersBeat (@DodgersBeat) July 17, 2013

• The September 2013 issue of Beckett features Yasiel Puig.  See it below.

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Yasiel Puig Signs Deal with Panini America and will Appear at The National

This has just come down the wire.

Panini America has just signed Yasiel Puig to a limited autographed memorabilia deal.  What does that mean?  Well, details are a little light, but I suspect Panini will be selling autographed Baseballs, photos, ornate displays, etc. through their Panini Authentic Online Store.  I think this is similar to Upper Deck Authentic, who have been selling these kinds of items for well over a decade for athletes like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. 

Furthermore, they announced that the Cuban sensation will be making an appearance for Panini at the upcoming National Sports Card Convention in Chicago (July 31st - August 4).  Exact details have yet to be released, but we do know that the Dodgers will be in town for a series against the Cubs from August 1st to August 4th.

According to Panini he will only be signing a customized Panini photo that will be part of a Panini VIP event.  So, it appears that the general public will not be getting in on the action.  I do not know what qualifies a collector as a Panini VIP.  It's likely a combination of a large dealer, active buyers and possibly a few lucky winners who attend the show.

“Yasiel’s rocket-like ascent this season has been one of the most captivating stories baseball has produced in quite some time, and we look forward to working with him,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop. “We’ve already incorporated some of Yasiel’s first Rookie Cards into products that will be releasing soon, but we wanted the relationship to be more than that by delivering his authentic autographed memorabilia and by having him help us entertain our most important fans, collectors and partners at our VIP event at the National Sports Collectors Convention.”

Man-O-Live, do I wish I was heading to Chicago in a couple of weeks.

Pic above courtesy of Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.

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