New Kemp, Trumbo and Uribe Autos

A few weeks ago I got an email from Matt about making trade. Matt writes the blog MC's Autograph Signings and he's also one of the better autograph hounds out here in SoCal. 

When Matt asked me about making a trade, he listed a few things that were available. There were a lot of items that caught my eye, but the one that stood out the most was a 2011 All-Star ball signed by Matt Kemp. I knew I'd have to come strong to get my hands on that one. 

2011 All-Star ball signed by Matty

After days of back and forth negotiating, we were finally able to come to an agreement. I got the Kemp AS ball, a Mark Trumbo sweet spot ROMLB and a Juan Uribe sweet spot ROMLB. I'm sure you're asking why I would want a Juan Uribe autograph. Yes, Uribe is garbage, one of the worst players ever to put on a Dodger uniform. Like I've said before, my collection is about Dodger autos, so if they've ever worn the uni, I want their sig. I tried many times to get Uribe's auto this year with no success, and now I don't have to worry about it anymore.

Not only does Uribe suck at baseball, his signature sucks too

Trumbo

I want to thank Matt again for the trade. I love my newest Matt Kemp auto! To see Matt's end of the trade, click here.

Bobblehead Collection: Carl Crawford Durham Bulls

So I made a nice trade with Eric at The Snorting Bull, and I decided to break up my end of the deal into three parts. You can see part one here and part two here. The last part of our trade got me a new bobblehead for the collection. Carl Crawford might get a Dodger a bobblehead in 2013, but for now I'm happy to get my hands on this CC Durham Bulls bobblehead.   

This bobble was given away by the Durham Bulls, AAA affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, on August 14, 2003. It honors Crawford for winning the 2002 International League Rookie Of The Year Award.  Produced by Bobble Dobbles, this bobblehead was given to the first 1,000 fans in attendance. 

Thanks again to Eric for the great trade. You can check out Eric's blog The Snorting Bull here. Also, if you're interested in this Crawford bobblehead, it's available at BobblesGalore.com.

Player Appearance: Kenley Jansen

The Dodgers kicked off a Holiday Mall Tour yesterday at the Westfield Topanga Mall in Canoga Park. They're out trying to get fans to give Dodgers tickets as gifts for the holidays. Yesterday's event included appearances by Kenley Jansen from 11-1 and Tim Leary from 1-5. 

I haven't been to many autograph events lately, but this one was just minutes from home, so I couldn't pass it up. When I arrived at the mall at 9:45, there were only about 20 people in line. We were told only one auto per person but we could get back in line if we wanted more. I got Kenley's autograph numerous times throughout the season, so I didn't need much signed, only a ball.

At 10:30 we were told Kenley had just left Dodger Stadium and he would be arriving in thirty minutes. Surprisingly, he arrived right at 11:00 then started signing right away. I was at the front of the line five minutes later. Kenley signed my ball then I went home. Nice and easy. I had plans later that day, so I couldn't make it to the Leary appearance.

The Dodgers have four more stops on their Holiday Mall Tour. You can see the entire schedule here.

More Dodger Autos From The Snorting Bull

A few weeks back I posted a trade with blogger Eric from The Snorting Bull. I only showed the Matt Kemp cards that came my way in the trade, but there were actually a few other goodies involved. I'm gonna break this entire trade up into three parts. You can see the first part of the trade here, and I'll post the third installment later this weekend. 

The Kemps were the centerpieces of the deal, but there were a few lower-end Dodger autographs that I needed. Here's what I picked up:

If a player ever wore a Dodger uniform, I want his autograph. I didn't have any of the above players, so it was nice to add some new sigs. Thanks again to Eric for the trade. Part three is coming is coming soon.

Facebook Trading: New Kemp And Ethier Autos

In my pursuit to pick up as many Matt Kemp autographs as possible, I just completed yet another trade for one via Facebook. This time it was with FB friend Brian. After looking through what seemed like an endless photo album of sports card goodness, I found a few of his Dodger cards I liked. We went back and forth a few times and in the end we made a nice multi-card deal. I ended up with a 2010 Topps Tribute Kemp auto/dual jersey and a 2008 Allen & Ginter Andre Ethier autograph. 

I think both cards are gorgeous and I'm happy to add them to the collection. I want to thank Brian for the trade. I can't wait for our next deal! If you're interested in making a trade, you can check out my trade bait page here.

Dodgers Release 2013 Promotional Schedule

The Dodgers released their 2013 promotional schedule yesterday. We've got all the usual suspects on the list, t-shirts, fleece blankets, caps and other things that will end up in the back of our closets. What most of us really care about are the bobbleheads. Last season the team gave away TEN bobbles and guess what? We get TEN more in 2013! Here's the official release from the Dodgers:

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced their 2013 promotional schedule today. The list of giveaways will offer fans unique collectibles and fan favorite items. The Dodgers will give away 10 bobbleheads, including legendary Dodger Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax, Vin Scully and Jaime Jarrín, Dodger owner Earvin “Magic” Johnson, current Dodger stars Adrian Gonzalez, Matt Kemp and Hanley Ramirez and Dodger broadcaster Rick Monday. Johnson will also be featured in a second giveaway item, a one-of-a-kind T-shirt. Hello Kitty returns for 2013 with a fleece blanket and mini bobblehead on the promotional calendar. In addition, there will also be seven different kids' giveaway items.

Opening Day at Dodger Stadium is Monday, April 1 at 1:10 p.m. versus the defending World Champion San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers will celebrate Jackie Robinson night on April 15 (vs. SD) with a Robinson, Don Newcombe and Roy Campanella statue giveaway. Brand new promotional dates include a hooded sweatshirt giveaway on April 3 (vs. SF), earbuds on June 29 (vs. PHI) and an Old-Timers' Day and giveaway item on June 8 (vs. ATL). The return of Old Timers' Day will feature a contest between Dodgers and Yankees legends.

The 2013 promotional schedule includes fan favorites such as Friday Night Fireworks, a sports bag, Mother's Day tote bag, beach chair, back-to-school backpack, adult replica jersey, sleeved blanket and caps. Viva Los Dodgers Days will also return in 2013. Fan Appreciation Day will conclude the regular season on September 29 and the full promotional schedule is now available atwww.dodgers.com/promotions.

The Dodgers will once again offer a 10-game bobblehead mini plan, a best seller in 2012, that enables fans to purchase all 10 bobblehead promotional dates. A 15-game plan includes all 10 bobblehead games, Opening Day and four other promotional dates. The Dodgers' 20 and 30-game Pick ‘Em plans offer fans the most flexibility and best mini plan locations. Mini plan pricing starts at $11 and complete details are available now at www.dodgers.com/miniplans.

The best way for fans to collect 2013 promotions, purchase Opening Day tickets and secure Interleague matchups against the Yankees, Red Sox and Angels is to purchase season tickets. Season ticket options, one of the best values in Los Angeles and all of sports, start as low as $5 per ticket. Complete details on 2013 season ticket pricing can be found by visiting www.dodgers.com/seasontickets.

BOBBLEHEAD GIVEAWAYS (April 30, May 14, May 25, June 6, June 27, July 11, July 25, August 10, August 27, September 12)
Bobbleheads of Dodgers past and present are scheduled throughout the season. The 2013 bobblehead collection includes “I See You” Hanley Ramirez on April 30 (vs. COL), Matt Kemp on May 14 (vs. WAS), Jaime Jarrín on May 25 (vs. STL), Sandy Koufax on June 27 (vs. PHI), Adrian Gonzalez on July 11 (vs. COL), Vin Scully on July 25 (vs. CIN), a “flag saving” Rick Monday on August 27 (vs. CHI) and Magic Johnson on September 12 (vs. SF). The remaining two bobbleheads will be announced later.

FRIDAY NIGHT FIREWORKS (April 5, April 26, May 10, May 24, June 7, June 28, July 12, July 26, August 9, August 23, August 30, September 13)
The popular season-long Friday Night Fireworks series will return for the 2013 season. Fans can watch the themed fireworks shows from the outfield grass after the game.

KIDS ITEMS (April 7, April 28, May 27, June 9, June 30, July 28, August 11)
There are seven Dodger kids' items on the 2013 promotional schedule, including a kids Matt Kemp replica jersey on April 7 (vs. PIT), kids' batting helmet on April 28 (vs. MIL), kids' Fathead on May 27 (vs. LAA), kids' compression sleeve on June 9 (vs. ATL), kids' performance shirt on June 30 (vs. PHI), kids' sunglasses on July 28 (vs. CIN) and kids back-to-school backpack on August 11 (vs. TB).

SPECIALTY ITEMS (April 3, April 15, April 17, April 27, May 7, May 12, May 28, June 4, June 8, June 11, June 25, June 29, August 13, August 31, September  28)
Dodger specialty items on the 2013 promotional schedule include a hooded sweatshirt on April 3 (vs. SF), Jackie Robinson, Don Newcombe and Roy Campanella statue on April 15 (vs. SD), Hello Kitty fleece blanket on April 17 (vs. SD), sports bag on April 27 (vs. MIL), T-shirt on May 7 (vs. AZ), Mother's Day tote bag on May 12 (vs. MIA), Magic Johnson T-shirt on May 28 (vs. LAA), cap on June 4 (vs. SD), Old-Timers' Day and giveaway item on June 8 (vs. ATL), beach chair on June 11 (vs. AZ), beach towel on June 25 (vs. SF), earbuds on June 29 (vs. PHI), cap on August 13 (vs. PHI), adult replica jersey on August 31 (vs. SD) and sleeved blanket on September 28 (vs. COL).

VIVA LOS DODGERS DAYS (April 7, April 28, May 26, June 9, June 30, July 14, July 28, August 11, August 25, September 1, September 14)
Viva Los Dodgers Day, a season-long initiative, will enter its fourth year and celebrate Latino culture in Los Angeles and the legacy of Latin American Dodgers past and present throughout the 2013 season.  The family-friendly pregame festival is held in lot 6 two hours prior to each Sunday's game where fans can enjoy live music and a family-friendly celebration. La Gran Fiesta – Viva Los Dodgers, the culmination of a season-long series and the Dodgers' marquee Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, is set for Saturday, September 14 and will be held in lot 6 four hours prior to the game. Fans can get more information on “Viva Los Dodgers Days” by visiting www.dodgers.com/viva and www.losdodgers.com/viva.

2013 Promotional Schedule
4/1 - Opening Day, Magnet Schedules4/3 - Hooded Sweatshirt *4/5 - Friday Night Fireworks               4/7 - Kids Matt Kemp Replica Jersey ^, Viva Los Dodgers Day, Kids Run The Bases4/15 - Jackie Robinson, Don Newcombe & Roy Campanella Statue *, Jackie Robinson Night4/17 - Hello Kitty Fleece Blanket4/26 - Friday Night Fireworks4/27 - Sports Bag *4/28 - Kids' Batting Helmet ^, Viva Los Dodgers Day, Kids Run the Bases4/30 - Hanley Ramirez “I See You” Bobblehead5/7 - T-Shirt *5/10 - Friday Night Fireworks5/11 - Natural Balance Pet Foods Bark in the Park #1 °5/12 - Tote Bag *, Mother's Day & Postgame Walk Around the Park5/14 - Matt Kemp Bobblehead5/24 - Friday Night Fireworks5/25 - Jaime Jarrín Bobblehead              5/26 - MLB Network Drawstring Bag *, Viva Los Dodgers Day, Kids Run the Bases5/27 - Kids' Fathead ^5/28 - Magic Johnson T-Shirt *                             6/4 - Cap #1 *6/6 - Bobblehead #46/7 - Friday Night Fireworks6/8 - Old Timers' Day & Item *, Old Timer's Game6/9 - Kids' Compression Sleeve ^, Viva Los Dodgers Day, Kids Run the Bases6/11 - Beach Chair6/25 - Beach Towel *6/27 - Sandy Koufax Bobblehead6/28 - Friday Night Fireworks  6/29 - Earbuds *6/30 - Kids' Performance Shirt ^, Viva Los Dodgers, Kids Run the Bases                    7/11 - Adrian Gonzalez Bobblehead                                7/12 - Friday Night Fireworks7/14 - Viva Los Dodgers Day, Kids Run the Bases7/25 - Vin Scully Bobblehead7/26 - Friday Night Fireworks7/28 - Kids' Sunglasses ^, Viva Los Dodgers, Kids Run the Bases8/9 - Friday Night Fireworks8/10 - Bobblehead #8              8/11 - Kids' Back to School Backpack ^, Viva Los Dodgers Day, Kids Run the Bases8/13 - Cap #2 *8/23 - Friday Night Fireworks8/25 - Viva Los Dodgers Day, Kids Run the Bases8/27 - Rick Monday “Flag Saving” Bobblehead8/30 - Friday Night Fireworks8/31 - Adult Replica Jersey *9/1 - Viva Los Dodgers Day, Kids Run the Bases9/9 - Hello Kitty Mini Bobblehead9/12 - Magic Johnson Bobblehead9/13 - Friday Night Fireworks9/14 - La Gran Fiesta – Viva Los Dodgers9/15 - Kids Run the Bases9/27 - Friday Night Fireworks9/28 - Sleeved Blanket *, Natural Balance Pet Foods Bark in the Park #2 °9/29 - Fan Appreciation Day
While supplies last.  Giveaways listed are for the first 50,000 fans unless otherwise noted. Only one giveaway item per person will be given to the bearer of the ticket upon entering the stadium. Schedule subject to change without notice. Please visit www.dodgers.com/promotions for complete details.

^ First 15,000 ticketed kids 14 and under in attendance*First 40,000 fans°Special ticket required

I must admit, I'm looking forward to getting my Hanley Ramirez "I See You" bobble, Adrian Gonzalez bobble, and my Magic bobble, but do we really need another Sandy Koufax and Vin Scully? I thought getting a Koufax and Scully bobblehead was going to be a special promo for the 50th anniversary, and now we get them in back-to-back years? I don't like that. 

I am intrigued by the Rick Monday "Flag Saving" bobble. I think it's a great idea and a moment that needs to be honored. 

The Jaime Jarrin bobblehead is another one I'm looking forward to getting my hands on, but this one really feels like an apology bobblehead, one that screams "I'm sorry you didn't get one in 2012!" We all knew Jaime deserved a bobblehead, it just should have been given away last year. You know what they say though, better late than never.

I'm not sure who the mystery bobbleheads are going to be, but I wouldn't be shocked to see another Fernando Valenzuela or Tommy Lasorda. I know they're giving away a Jackie Robinson statue, but they should also give him a bobblehead. Any thoughts on this? Who do you think should get the other bobbleheads?

I want to get back to the number of bobblehead being given away in 2013. I know I'm in the minority, but I think ten is too many. I understand it's a way to get people into the stadium and a way to generate money, and I've always said that if they are making money, they need to spend it on players. But when the team would give three or four bobbles away every year, those nights were special. Now it's become an ordinary giveaway, something we get every other week. As much as I love getting a new bobblehead for the collection, I want to see the number reduced in 2014.