Padres Series Starts Tomorrow - Scheduled Autograph Sessions, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The final homestand starts tomorrow evening against the San Diego Padres, and several old-time Dodgers will be in the house to sign free autographs for fans.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

As part of the club’s celebration of national Hispanic Heritage Month, the Dodgers are offering fans 20 percent off Adrian Gonzalez and Yasiel Puig Dodger player T-shirts for the remainder of the regular season at the official team store at the Top of the Park.

---------------

 
Friday, October 2nd at 7:10 PM
SNLA & MLB Network / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Friday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:40 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:10 PM. It is Friday Night Fireworks, so fans will be able to go down onto the field after the game to watch the spectacle. The theme will be a salute to Hispanic Heritage Month.

As part of the club’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, mariachis will perform in the left-field plaza from 5:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. DJ Adam will provide entertainment in the right-field plaza from 5:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

LA Galaxy forward and 2014 MLS MVP Robbie Keane will throw the ceremonial first pitch.

Dodger alum Dennis Powell will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Navy Machinist Mate Weapons 2nd Class Richard Vasquez of Whittier.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) conducts silent auctions throughout the season featuring more than 25 signed pieces of memorabilia from Dodger players, coaches and alumni. Auctions will take place behind the Vin Scully press box on the club level. The items up for auction on Friday include an Adrian Gonzalez autographed bat, Kirk Gibson autographed 1988 World Series baseball and Zack Greinke autographed Dodger jersey. The auction will end at 8:45 p.m.

---------------

Saturday, August 29th at 6:10 PM
SNLA & MLB Network / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Saturday's game starts at 6:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 1:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 4:10 PM. 

It is Hispanic Heritage Night at Dodger Stadium.  Folks who ordered a special ticket package in the All You Can Eat Right Field Pavilion or Infield Reserve will get an specially designed commemorative Adrian Gonzalez t-shirt with your ticket.  See that on the left.  If not already sold out go here for information.

The Dodgers will play host to their 18th annual Hispanic Heritage celebration, La Gran Fiesta / Viva Los Dodgers located at the Historic 76 Station.  It all starts at 2:00 PM.  Sonsoles, Los 5 and Sinverguenza are scheduled to perform. La Gran Fiesta Viva Los Dodgers will include participation by current Dodger players and the Dodgers’ Spanish-language broadcast teams: Hall of Famer Jaime Jarrín, Jorge Jarrín, Manny Mota, Pepe Yñiguez and Fernando Valenzuela. Dodger broadcasters Rick Monday and Charley Steiner will be on hand. Dodger alum Ron Cey and Al Ferrara will also participate along with Dodger scout Mike Brito. Boxer Miguel Cotto will also make a special appearance.

As part of Viva Los Dodgers, there will be a pregame mariachi performance on the field. Boxer Miguel Cotto will throw the ceremonial first pitch.  “Straight Outta Compton” star O’Shea Jackson Jr., who plays his father Ice Cube in the film, will announce the Dodgers’ starting lineup.

A living statue will be in the left-field plaza from 4:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. DJ Sean will provide entertainment in the right-field plaza. Everett Coast will play in the right-field Reserve plaza and Bear Brass Band will be in the left-field Reserve plaza.

• The Military Heroes of the Game are U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Shawn Boiko of Van Nuys and U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Paul Roche of Pasadena.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) conducts silent auctions throughout the season featuring more than 25 signed pieces of memorabilia from Dodger players, coaches and alumni. Auctions will take place behind the Vin Scully press box on the club level. The items up for auction on Saturday include a Andre Ethier autographed photo, Don Mattingly autographed baseball and Clayton Kershaw autographed Dodger jersey. The auction will end at 7:45 p.m.

UPDATE  I just received a complete schedule of activities at La Gran Fiesta / Viva Los Dodgers :

1:30 p.m. All Dodger Stadium auto gates open
2:00 p.m. La Gran Fiesta Viva Los Dodgers begins
2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Autographs with Grandal, Peralta and Torreyes
2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Photos with Hernandez
2:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.  On stage interview with Gonzalez
2:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.  On stage interview with the Jarríns
2:35 p.m. to 3:05 p.m.  Sonsoles perform
2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.  Autographs with Ferrara, Monday and Mota
2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.  Photos with the Jarríns
3:20 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.  Sinverguenza performs
3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Autographs with Brito, Cey, Ferrara and Mota
3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Photos with Yñiguez and Valenzuela
4:05 p.m. to 4:10 p.m.  On stage interviews with Yñiguez and Valenzuela
4:08 p.m. to 4:28 p.m.  Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez performance
4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.  Autographs with Avilan, Frias and Guerrero
4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.  Photos with Garcia, Baez and Nicasio
4:35 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.  Cotto interview on stage
4:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.  Los 5 performs
5:35 p.m. Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez performance on field
5:45 p.m. DJ Adam provides entertainment
5:55 p.m. Cotto first pitch
6:10 p.m. Game time

---------------

Sunday, August 30th at 12:10 PM

SNLA & ESPN/AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Sunday's game starts at 12:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 9:40 AM, and stadium gates open at 10:10 AM.  This is Fan Appreciation Day!  Fans seeking to be eligible to win prizes in the first round of giveaways should have their tickets scanned by 11:30 a.m.  Prizes include a one-year lease for a 2016 C Class Mercedez-Benz, a LG 49” Class 4K UHD Smart LED TV, a suite to a 2016 regular season game, a pitching lesson from Orel Hersheiser and more unique experiences. A fan in attendance Sunday will also be randomly selected to throw the ceremonial first pitch.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Michael Dominguez of Los Angeles.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) conducts silent auctions throughout the season featuring more than 25 signed pieces of memorabilia from Dodger players, coaches and alumni. Auctions will take place behind the Vin Scully press box on the club level. The items up for auction on Sunday include a game-used LA Dodger third base, Corey Seager autographed baseball and A.J. Ellis autographed Dodger jersey. The auction will end at 1:45 p.m.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Lobbying Zach Wheat in a Letter from Uncle Robbie at REA

In case you don't already know, I absolutely love running into old letters written by former Dodgers'.  Oftentimes, they provide a little glimpse at their personalities, and insight into their character.  Other times, we get a look at what's going on behind the scenes.  Go here to check out all of my previous post on Dodgers' Correspondence.

Above, is a letter currently on auction at REA that I wanted to pass along.  It is written the day after Christmas 1917.  Hall of Fame manager Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson reaches out to fellow Hall of Famer Zach Wheat about the upcoming season.  Check out the auction here.

In the midst of World War I in Europe and a difficult past year at the turnstiles throughout the league, Robbie does a little bit of contract negotiating on behalf of Charles Ebbets.  After all, of all the players on that club Wheat was the one guy they had to make sure stayed on.  Check it out in full below:

Dear Buck [Wheat's nickname]:

In talking various matters over with Mr. Ebbets a few days ago, he informed me that the club would exercise their options upon the services of all the players on our list and then he would write you asking what salary you expected or should like to have for season of 1918, which will be from April 16th to Sept. 30th, exactly 5 1/2 months: he wants to agree with the players upon a salary which will be fair to the player and to the club. I hope you will be fair in your answer to Mr. Ebbets. You know he was the first who said base ball must continue when others were talking of quitting; neither he nor his partners have hollered "calamity"; but for all that you and I know that base ball conditions were bad all over the country and not likely to be any better in 1918 unless we should get better weather conditions; the weather of 1917 could not be much worse. Mr. E. told me that they would try and meet near as possible the conditions of 1913, which was, he said, the last normal year they had had; the years 1914, 1915, 1916, being covered with high Federal League contracts and 1917 suffering by reason of the World War.

I hope you will carefully consider all this and too the conditions that confront us in 1918; almost fifty thousand men have been taken by the government out of Brooklyn and more will be drafted in the next few months; so be fair when you write Mr. Ebbets. I am sure he will be fair with you, everything considered.

I want you when you have finally signed your contract to come to me satisfied and work your head off; you know next year all clubs will get a piece of the World's Series; that is, all but the last club; besides, when the war is over and Cadore, Pfeffer and Smith come back to us we will be in a good position to improve our position and with better times get better money.

Contract will be for 5 1/2 months; training about three weeks; this will give you more time at home, but you must do some preliminary training prior to March 19th. 

I find it interesting that during an era when players were roundly beaten up by the owners, Zach Wheat appears to have significant leverage.  He was their top player; therefore their top draw.  Considering, as Robbie mentions above, that a large swath of fans were off to war the Dodgers needed to make sure there was someone on the field the populace would enjoy watching.  Clearly, Wheat was that man, and as the stats tell us he definitely proved to be a keeper.  In 1918 he hit a league leading .335.  Unfortunately, the Robins, as they were known back then, finished the season in 5th place in the National League.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2015 Topps Five Star - The Dodger Base Autograph Cards

Another high-end Topps Baseball product is just now hitting the shelves of hobby stores.  It is called 2015 Five Star and every card available is signed.  Like the Supreme set I wrote about earlier this week, Five Star consist of only two autographed cards per box, but will cost you about $100.  Go here for a complete checklist.

Below are the base autograph cards, and as you'll notice former Dodger outfielder Shawn Green has a card - which is awesome.  We need more former Dodger players signing cards for Topps.  I would love to see players like Pedro Guerrero, Gary Sheffield, Kevin Brown or Ramon Martinez more often.

BTW, one of the cards I eagerly await to see is a Legendary Lineups Cut Signature Booklet card featuring a lineup of eight former Brooklyn Dodger greats; including Snider, Furillo, Pafko, Hodges, Campanella, Cox, Reese & Robinson.  If I'm not mistaken, this is the basic starting lineup for the 1952 Dodger team.  I hope to have pics of that and the other Dodger insert cards later on.

Base Autographs

#FSA-CK Clayton Kershaw             #FSA-FV Fernando Valenzuela

 

Blog Kiosk: 10/1/2015 - Dodger Links - Greinke, the Subway War and Kershaw as Manager?

Last night's game was a little "ho-hum."  You know what I mean?  Yeah... Don Mattingly knows what I mean, via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I think it's human nature. It's hard to get going the next day," said manager Don Mattingly. "The day after is kind of flat. Today's a tough day. You go through a lot the day after last night, a lot of emotion is built up winning and you spend a lot of energy there. I don't know if you all feel it, but it's one of those days and you try to fight it the best you can."

They were cruising for a losing.  All the Dodgers could muster was a couple of hits and three double plays; including the try shown in the above photo of Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins hovering around the bag.  I wouldn't take last night's poor effort as a sign of anything.  Instead, think of it as a hangover... A hangover that shouldn't become a slapstick comedy filled with lost opportunities and plenty of regret.

The photo above via Jon SooHoo on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• Kershaw may be promoted to manager, via Mark Saxon at ESPN: "Clayton Kershaw's final start will be shortened; Zack Greinke's won't."

Now that the Dodgers have clinched the NL West, Mattingly said he will let a player manage Game 162 of this season as well, presuming the Dodgers aren’t still in the running for home-field advantage in their playoff series with the New York Mets. Mattingly said he is considering letting Clayton Kershaw manage that game, but that could set up a strange dynamic. Kershaw will be pitching in that game.

“He may have to argue with himself,” Mattingly said.

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider shares his thoughts on who should be on the Dodgers' NLDS roster.  Eric Stephen at True Blue LA shares his roster card here. 
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Greinke named Campanella Award winner."
  

  Cy Young candidate Zack Greinke was named winner of the 10th annual Roy Campanella Award, given to the Dodger who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership of the late Hall of Fame Brooklyn catcher.

  The award, voted upon by Dodgers uniform personnel, will be presented to Greinke by Campanella's daughter, Joni Campanella Roan, during pregame ceremonies on Sunday.

  Considering it's voted on by his teammates, I wonder if last years not-so-little incident with Puig played a part in him being chosen.  If you don't recall what I mean, check out this article from Jeff Passan at Yahoo Sports.
  
• Via Bill Plunkett at the OC Register, Dodger GM Farhan Zaidi tells us he's happy with how the season has gone:

“You can never take it for granted,” Dodgers first-year GM Farhan Zaidi said. “A lot of things can go wrong – best-laid plans and all of that. But whatever the payroll is, whatever the guys on the field are making, they have to get it done on the field and they did a tremendous job.”

• Ted Berg at For the Win writes, "15 awesome things about the Los Angeles Dodgers."
• Check out this great graphic created by Ben Matsuya of Yasiel Puig as a pug, here. 

Aggressive base running, a flamboyant bone flip, or a big game hit, few can domesticate number 66, the PUG!

• Night Owl Cards concludes his ranking of the All-Time Topps sets, with #1 to #4, and does a fantastic job explaining his choices.
• Check out the Yankees Feud at the Hall of Very Good.
• I just love this.  The LA Metro throws down the gauntlet on twitter after the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York declares that the Mets will sweep us.

A friendly wager, @MTA? Perhaps your famous New York pizza. #Dodgers #LolMets pic.twitter.com/5g1vpMBuZF

— Metro (@metrolosangeles) September 30, 2015

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *