Some Vintage Dodger Headgear at Goldin Auctions - Hodges, Koufax, Puig and Kershaw

The start of the Baseball season is always one of the busiest times for sports collector auctions.  In the next couple of days I'll feature some Dodgers memorabilia available at Goldin Auctions.  After that, I'll share items from other noteworthy auction houses.

Goldin Auctions 2014 Opening Day auction has some great Dodger memorabilia to look at.  In this post I focus on some vintage Dodger headgear. 

Below is purported to be a game-used cap worn by Gil Hodges.

(Auction Link)

This next cap was worn by Sandy Koufax in 1965.  It has an interesting story behind it.  From the auction description:

In the waning days of the summer of '65, L.A. Angels batboy Bob Case (the two teams shared Dodger Stadium at the time) obtained this cap from the Dodgers ace himself. "Right out of his locker" states Case in the accompanying letter of provenance. Case kept the cap for over a decade before he traded it to a collector. Case thought so much of the cap that upon the collector's death he reacquired his former prized artifact.

(Auction Link)

If something more modern is more up your alley, then take a gander at the below game-used Yasiel Puig Dodgers cap. 

(Auction Link)

Forget the soft-caps, I want to see some protective headgear.  Take a look at this 2013 Clayton Kershaw batting helmet worn during the 2013 season. 

(Auction Link)

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2014 Topps Spring Fever Baseball - The Dodger Cards

In past years, Topps inserted 'Spring Fever' redemption cards into their flagship Series 1 Baseball card packs.  You would take these insert cards to your local hobby shop in order to exchange them for limited packs featuring special 'Spring Fever' cards.

This year, Topps decided to do something different.  It is now purely a Hobby Store Promotion.  Instead of inserting redemption cards into packs, they have made the packs available to collectors with the purchase of 16 packs of 2014 Topps Series 1 packs at your local hobby shop.  Be sure to contact your favorite local hobby shop for more information.  Chris Olds at Beckett has more detail, as well.

In this years Spring Fever set there are 4 Dodgers in the base set.  See them all below.  Also, from what I understand, there are 2 Dodger autographed cards available: a Duke Snider (#SFA-DSN) and Johnny Podres (#SFA-JP).

Spring Fever Base Cards

#SF-10 Clayton Kershaw

#SF-11 Hanley Ramirez

#SF-25 Yasiel Puig

#SF-49 Adrian Gonzalez

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Steve Yeager and Michael Cage

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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Former Clipper Michael Cage will be signing autographs at Dr. Alex Corbin Liu's optometry office in Rowland Heights on Saturday, April 5, 2014 from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM.  Go here for more information.

Dr. Alex Corbin Liu
19735 Colima Road
Rowland Heights, CA

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Steve Yeager will be signing autographs at Manuel's Original El Tepeyac Cafe in the City of Industry on Saturday, April 5, 2014 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  It is $25.00 per autograph.  Go here for more information.

Manuel's Original El Tepeyac Cafe #2
13131 Crossroads Pkwy South
City of Industry, CA 91746
(562) 695-2277

Hat Tip: Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy

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Blog Kiosk: 4/2/2014 - Dodgers Links - Wilson to DL, Hanley Contract Talks Continue and a New Jackie Robinson Shirt from Tommy Bahama

The newest issue of the Dodger Insider features Clayton Kershaw on the cover.  Jon Weisman at the Dodger Insider blog tells us all about it here.

• Emma at Dodger Blue World shares a chance meeting with Yasiel Puig during breakfast on Monday. 

Like I said, we found him to be very friendly, personable, funny and witty.  We did not bother him asking him for a picture.  We thought it was not appropriate but we loved the chat.    Oh yeah, I forgot to say when he was talking about stadiums, he said to me “No me gusta Dodger Stadium.”   He sounded serious but when I looked at him with a sad face he laughed and I knew he was joking.  

• Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider tells us, "Where the Dodgers’ top prospects begin 2014."
• Pedro, I love you!  Via his twitter (NSFW)
• Chris Olds at Beckett shares some preview images from 2014 Topps Stadium Club here.  It is expected to be in stores on October 1st.  Below is a 3-piece insert card that features Hanley Ramirez, Clayton Kershaw and Yasiel Puig.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Clayton Kershaw could need rehab start before return to Dodgers."  He may potentially be out for the entire month of April, per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.

"We're still a little bit on hold with Clayton," manager Don Mattingly said before Tuesday afternoon's game against the Padres. "In general the throwing is not meant to test him, but to keep his shoulder moving while he's not able to pitch."

• Via Enrique Rojas at ESPNDeportes.com, "Ramírez, Dodgers siguen negociando."  It's in Spanish.  The gist of the story is that contract extension negotiations are ongoing, and that Hanley has asked his agent to not provide him with any progress reports.  Instead, he trust him enough to just tell him when it's done
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Wilson absent from pregame workout."  Uh-Oh! And... The shoe has dropped.  Via Gurnick on twitter, Brain Wilson has been placed on the DL for nerve irritation.  Fortunately, an MRI did not show any ligament damage, via Eric Stephen on twitter.

Brian Wilson placed on DL. Elbow problems. Nerve irritation.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) April 2, 2014

• Tracy Hackler at the Panini America blog shares some pics of the card set they made for the Lakers as a part of their game giveaway.  I wish the Dodgers would do something like this.  Hint!  Hint!
• Tommy Bahama just released a phenomenal Jackie Robinson shirt that is now available in their stores.  Go here to check it out.  They are rather expensive at $250.00 a piece, but gorgeous looking.  From a press release:

Embroidered elements include Mr. Robinson’s retired number “42” on the right sleeve and front, along with his signature and the Tommy Bahama logo on the back. It also features his career highlights printed on the back.  The shirt comes packaged inside a custom designed garment bag, with one of Mr. Robinson’s favorite quotes, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives,” printed on it. Only a limited quantity of shirts will be produced and each one will be numbered.  Shirt #42 within the collection will be signed by the members of Robinson family and auctioned to benefit the Jackie Robinson Foundation. 

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