Dodgers Blue Heaven: Feb 10, 2016

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

2016 Topps Baseball Series One - Dodgers Wacky Pack, Bunt Promos and Lasers and other Scarcities

Here is a final look at the Dodgers cards found in packs of 2016 Topps Series 1 packs. These are some of the more scarce cards that are available, so I don't have photos of everything. Go here to see all of my previous post on this set.

Of note are the "Topps Bunt" insert cards that refer to an smartphone app featuring virtual cards that are collected just like real cards - with folks even paying premium values for them on eBay (wha???). Frankly, I don't get it, but what do I know? These "real" insert cards are limited to only 25 copies and sell for big prices online. There is a code on the reverse of the card that you can input on the app for extra virtual cards/points.

Cut Signatures (#/1)

#CS-DSI Duke Snider
#CS-DSN Duke Snider

Glove Leather Autographs (Hobby & Jumbo only)

#GLA-SK Sandy Koufax

In The Name Relics (Hobby & Jumbo only)

#ITN-AG Adrian Gonzalez
#ITN-CK Clayton Kershaw
#ITN-JPD Joc Pederson
#ITN-YG Yasmani Grandal
#ITN-ZG Zack Greinke

#ITN-ZG Zack Greinke

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: RaiderFest V

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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RaiderFest V! Should I say more?

Go here for information, and click on any flyer below to embiggen. As you can see there are a ton of autograph guest... Wow!

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

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Blog Kiosk: 2/10/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's another fantastic pic that comes from an original color transparency that's currently for sale on eBay. This time I feature Roy Campanella makings his acceptance speech as the newest member of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown; dated July 29, 1969. Seated to his right are Stan Musial, Waite Hoyt and Stan Coveleski (from L to R).

Below are more links to check out:

Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Bill Haselman introduced as Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers manager."

"As a catcher, you're involved in the game pretty much every pitch, calling the game and talking to 11-12 different pitchers on a daily basis getting them ready for a game," Haselman said. "You have a lot of different personalities. It's always a challenge to be able to figure out each individual by themselves and get them to perform the best they can.

"Being involved as a catcher, it's an easy transition as a manager because you've already dealt with half a team your whole playing career."

Watch Hannah Storm of ESPN interview Magic Johnson about the Dodgers, here.
Reddit user r/GritMcGritterton put together a fantastic 2015 Dodgers home run video montage that you should check out, here. You should watch it before they shut it down.
Via Peter Gammons at the Gammons Daily, "The Transitional Culture of Cuban Baseball Development." He takes a closer look at the process Cuban players go through when coming to the Major Leagues.

“I think the most important thing with the Cuban players is building a trust that goes both ways,” said the Dodger official.
...
“Donnie tried really hard, and maybe Yasiel wasn’t ready to trust the situation,” said the Dodger official. “Maybe it will take a new situation. Dave Roberts is an incredibly positive person. He has had what we hope have been productive meetings with Puig.” Then there is George Lombard, Roberts’ prized addition to his coaching staff. The Dodger front office was blown away by Lombard, who is highly intelligent (his grandfather George Francis Fabyan Lombard was the dean of Harvard Business School), his mother Posy became a significant figure in the Civil Rights Movement after graduating from Smith, working closely with the Rev. Martin Luther King before tragically losing her life in an automobile accident on Cape Cod.

Lombard is married to a Cuban-American, knows that Miami community well, understands the Cuban culture. “I think the trust built in establishing a personal and professional relationship is hugely important,” says the Dodger official. “I do think the trust factor is something that can be difficult to build, with the Cuban players dealing with such a different culture, but many players trying to assimilate into our baseball culture from theirs.”