Player Appearance: Reggie Smith, Rick Monday, Sweet Lou Johnson And Ken Howell

On Sunday, August 5, the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills hosted the MVP Sports Foundation's 4th annual  All-Star Auction and Dodger Reunion to benefit the Simi Valley Little League. Former Dodgers Rick Monday, Reggie Smith, "Sweet" Lou Johnson and Ken Howell were in attendance. The benefit featured two auctions, one live and one silent, both with many nice pieces of sports memorabilia up for bid. The  event was scheduled from 4:30 to 9:30 and admission was $20 at the door.

When I arrived at the Canyon Club, I just happened to walk in right behind Reggie Smith. I was there to get autographs, so it was nice to start off fast. Reggie signed one ball and one card for me. Then he got mobbed by other autograph seekers.

After I got Smith, I took a look around at the silent auction items. I bid on a couple of pieces that had fair starting prices. While I was checking things out, Ken Howell and Lou Johnson walked in. Ken signed a couple of cards for me and I got a picture with Lou. I had just got Lou to sign a few things for me a couple of days earlier so I didn't get anything signed at this event. 

After a few minutes the last of the former Dodgers arrived, Rick Monday. I got him to sign a ball for me as soon as he walked through the door, then he got mobbed just like Smith did. People were throwing multiple items at him and he signed away. Monday then got on stage and got the whole benefit started. Once Monday got off the stage he continued to sign and take pictures. That's when I got a couple of cards signed and got a pic with him.

The whole event was very entertaining. There was live music from a group called the Lapdogs, then the live auction began. The first two item up for bid were an Andre Ethier framed signed jersey and a Matt Kemp framed signed jersey. The Ethier went for $350 and the Kemp for $600. Other items being auctioned off were vacations, helicopter rides and batting lessons from Reggie Smith.

As I mentioned, I did bid on a few items in the silent auction. I only won one of them, a ball signed by Marlins Manager Ozzie Guillen. 

I had a great time at this event and can't wait to go back next year.

Sandy Koufax Bobblehead Night

Tuesday, August 7 was Sandy Koufax bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium. Presented by Time Warner Cable, the Dodgers gave away Koufax bobbles to the first 50,000 fans in attendance. Koufax and Vin Scully are the two bobbleheads Dodger fans have been waiting for for a long time and we finally got our hands on the first of the two.

When I arrived at Dodger Stadium I noticed a lot of people leaving with cases of bobbleheads. I've seen people do this in the past, but this time there were more people doing it then usual. I should have taken pictures of some of the stacks of tickets people had. I saw one guy with a couple hundred! Not sure how many of those people stayed, but the stadium looked pretty empty. Vin Scully announced 50,000+ but I don't think it was even close.

The one disappointing thing about the entire night was Koufax not being in attendance. In my heart I was hoping he would be at Dodger Stadium, but I knew it wasn't gonna happen. Maybe one of these days he'll surprise us all and throw out the first pitch.

On to the bobblehead. Koufax is my favorite athlete of all time, so this bobble has now become my favorite. Nothing too special here, but it sure does look like the great lefty.

Up next, Fernando Valenzuela on Tuesday, August 21.

Get Your Free Sandy Koufax Bobblehead

Did you miss out on Sandy Koufax bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium? Here's how you can get one for free. From BobblesGalore.com:

BobblesGalore.com is offering a FREE Sandy Koufax Los Angeles Dodgers 2012 Stadium Giveaway Bobblehead! with the purchase of any 4 separate bobblehead doll listings. As a thank you for your business, purchase any 4 items on BobblesGalore.com from 8/5/2012 to 9/15/2012 and you will receive a FREE Sandy Koufax Los Angeles Dodgers 2012 Stadium Giveaway Bobblehead. Your purchase must be 4 separate items, lots/sets count as 1 item. Just make your purchase of 4 items (or more), then once your purchase is complete send us an email at info@BobblesGalore.com requesting the FREE Sandy Koufax bobblehead be added to your order (DO NOT ADD THE KOUFAX TO YOUR ORDER WHEN MAKING YOUR PURCHASE). No charge on the Koufax Bobble and no extra charge on shipping. Any questions regarding this promotion can be emailed to info@BobblesGalore.com

Kirk Gibson Bobblehead Night

Tuesday was Kirk Gibson fist pump bobblehead night. I was ten years old when Gibson hit his famous walk-off homerun in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. It's my favorite all-time sports moment, so I couldn't wait for this bobble. 


When I arrived at Dodger Stadium, I had a couple of goals in mind besides getting the bobblehead. I wanted to try and get a couple of autographs, Kirk Gibson's and Takashi Saito's. There were so many people waiting for Gibby, I knew it wasn't gonna happen, and I was right. I hope others had success getting him. I was able to meet Saito though, who was one of my favorite pitchers while in LA. He was nice enough to sign a couple cards for me.

On to the bobblehead. Presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino, the Dodgers gave away Gibson bobbleheads to the first 50,000 fans in attendance. Not only does the head bobble, but so does the arm, moving somewhat like the real Gibson's arm after he hit the famous homerun. I've heard a lot of people make fun of this arm motion, but I actually like the idea. Once again, this is another bobblehead whose details are right on the money. 

Up next, Sandy Koufax Bobblead on Tuesday, August 7.

Get Your Free Kirk Gibson Fist Pump Bobblehead

Did you miss out on the Kirk Gibson Fist Pump bobblehead? Now you can get one for free from BobblesGalore.com. Here's how:

BobblesGalore.com is offering a FREE Kirk Gibson Los Angeles Dodgers 2012 Stadium Giveaway Bobblehead with the purchase of any 3 separate bobblehead doll listings. As a thank you for your business, purchase any 3 items on BobblesGalore.com from 7/29/2012 to 9/01/2012 and you will receive a FREE Kirk Gibson Los Angeles Dodgers 2012 Stadium Giveaway Bobblehead. Your purchase must be 3 separate items, lots/sets count as 1 item. Just make your purchase of 3 items (or more), then once your purchase is complete send us an email at info@BobblesGalore.com requesting the FREE Kirk Gibson bobblehead be added to your order (DO NOT ADD THE GIBSON TO YOUR ORDER WHEN MAKING YOUR PURCHASE). No charge on the Gibson Bobble and no extra charge on shipping. Any questions regarding this promotion can be emailed to info@BobblesGalore.com

Josh Hamilton Bobblehead Night

Last night I made the 100 mile drive to Bakersfield to catch a Blaze game. The Blaze are the single-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds in the California League.  I went out there with buddies Mike of Nomo's Sushi Platter fame and Tom. The Blaze were giving away Josh Hamilton bobbleheads to the first 500 fans in attendance. Hamilton played for the team in 2002 when they were an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.


This was only the second minor league game I had ever been to, and the first one was a lot of fun, so I couldn't wait to get down there. When we arrived at Sam Lynn Ballpark there were a couple of short lines, nothing too crazy. We only waited about ten minutes before the gates opened. When we got in we opened up the bobblehead boxes right away to see Hamilton. What we saw was a bit shocking. Let's just say it's not the average bobblehead. We'll take a look at that in a sec. As far as the game goes, it was pretty lackluster. The Blaze lost to the Stockton Ports 6-0. Oh, we did run into former major-league pitcher-turned agent Dave Stewart. He was sitting a couple sections from us watching one of his clients play, so of course I had to get his autograph. 

Dave Stewart signing 

Stewart's sig

 Back to the bobblehead. I don't know much about this, like who designed it or where it was made. It's just so...weird. Take a look.

Obviously it looks nothing like Hamilton, but I must admit, it does put a smile on my face so I'm happy to add it to the collection. I had a great time at the Blaze game too and can't wait to get back there for another game!