Early Peek at some 2016 Promotional Game Giveaways - Turner Chia Pet and some Bobbleheads

With "Pitchers & Catchers" reporting to Spring Training within a week and Opening Day just around the corner I thought it would be a good time to share some preview picks of an handful of Dodger Stadium giveaways for the upcoming season.  Go here to check out a complete promotional schedule.

Probably the most anticipated freebie this season is the Justin Turner "Chia Pet" being given out on Saturday, April 30th against the Padres.  Check out a preview pic of it above.  Wow, right?  It is the perfect combination of awesome and hilarious.  Something tells me we'll be seeing many more of these in the future.

As you know, the Dodgers will continue giving out bobbleheads this season.  They are slated to hand out ten new bobbles, and they have recently updated their checklist since they made their original announcement in late-November.  They have since added bobbleheads for Adrian Gonzalez, Kenta Maeda and Howie Kendrick.  Below is an updated schedule:

• Clayton Kershaw on April 25 (vs. MIA)
• Dodger manager Dave Roberts May 11 (vs. NYM)
• **Adrian Gonzalez on May 25 (vs. CIN)
• Don Newcombe on June 8 (vs. COL)
• Dusty Baker on June 22 (vs. WAS)
• 1981 World Series tri-MVPs Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero and Steve Yeager on July 2 (vs. COL)
• **Kenta Maeda on July 26 (vs. TB)
• **Howie Kendrick on August 9 (vs. PHI)
• TBD August 25 (vs. SF)
• TBD September 20 (vs. SF)

And below are preview picks of the Clayton Kershaw nodder being given out on April 25th and the Dave Roberts bobble on May 11th.

As for the other giveaways, here is an early look at the Jackie Robinson jersey being given out on Jackie Robinson Day, Friday, April 15th against the Giants, the Dodgers sweetshirt/hoodie on April 13th against the Diamondbacks and the knit cap on April 16th.

Jackie Robinson Jersey

Sweatshirt/Hoodie                                    Knit Cap

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 2/12/2016 - Dodgers Links - Nomo, Koufax and a Brief Time Warner Update

Sandy is lounging on the grass at Wrigley Field!

Above is a fantastic pic of Sandy Koufax from an original 1960's color transparency/slide from the Metropolis Collection that was being auctioned by Hyee_Auctions on eBay.  It recent sold for $113.50.  The photo was taken by Chicago based photographer Lee Balterman.  He had started out as a photographer for the Army during WWII then did freelance work for magazines such as Life, Fortune, and Sports Illustrated.

Below are more links to check out:

• Here's some good news on the Time Warner front -- however slight it might be.  The California PUC is speeding up their review of the proposal merger between the company and Charter.  Via Robert W. Welkos at CFTN, "California ALJ Advances Time Warner Cable-Charter Decision Date."

Administrative Law Judge Karl J. Bemesderfer issued a scheduling order pushing up a final decision to May 12 from the previously announced June 10 date, and said that a proposed decision in the case would be issued April 12.

So, it's conceivable that SportsNet LA can be in everybody's homes before the All-Star break.  Assuming, of course, they can hammer out agreements with the other cable companies right away.

• I'm not one for reporting trade rumors, but this is one I can get behind.  Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, "Dodgers Shopping Alex Guerrero."
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Double-A Tulsa releases 2016 spring training schedule."
• Via Baseball America, the Dodgers have the #1 ranked minor league system in the game this year.
• Old friend Hideo Nomo just became a Padres.  Via a San Diego press release, "Padres name Hideo Nomo Advisor, Baseball Operations."

"I am very happy to join the San Diego Padres and return to Major League Baseball," said Nomo. "My hope is that my advice will be handed down to the young players of Padres. It is also an opportunity for me to learn, and I hope to help bring a World Championship to the Padres. I look forward to working with A.J Preller and all of the Padres baseball operations staff."

• MLB Network ranks Yasiel Puig as the eighth best right fielder in the game.  Watch the video here.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *