Player Appearance: Clayton Kershaw

2011 National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw and his wife Ellen made an appearance today at the Ralphs market in Porter Ranch. It was one of many stops on their tour promoting the book "Arise"  which they co-wrote. Clayton and Ellen were scheduled to meet fans and sign the book from 1-3 pm. They were there to sign the book only. No outside memorabilia was allowed. 


I arrived at Ralphs at 10:00 am and I purchased a couple of books. With the Ralphs Reward card the book came to $10.79 plus tax, with 5% of the proceeds going to Kersh's charity, Kershaw's Challenge. After getting in line, the event promoters handed everyone a list of guidelines which basically said we couldn't pose for pictures or get outside memorabilia signed. 

At around 12:45, Clayton and Ellen arrived. I was so excited when they got there. They began signing right away and they were even posing for pictures! Both Clayton and Ellen are very nice and down-to-earth, chatting with everyone.


I'd say there were about 100 people in line and once they all got their books signed, a group of us thought we'd take a chance at getting some other items signed, but we were rejected by Clayton himself. Fail! I guess it never hurts to try, right?

Anyway, Thanks to Clayton and Ellen and thanks to Ralphs Market for holding this event. Also, thanks to Roberto at Vin Scully Is My Homeboy for all the information, it was nice seeing you and everyone else today.

Vin Scully On His 2012 Bobblehead And The Official Press Release

On Monday the Dodgers announced the final three bobblehead giveaways of 2012, one of which is the legendary Vin Scully. I commented that I didn't know how they finally convinced Vin to allow his likeness on a bobbblehead. Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News gets the answer from the man himself. Vin Scully on his 2012 bobblehead:

"Since I won't be here for the 100th anniversary, I agreed to do the 50th, otherwise, I would be open to questions as to why I didn't do it. It's far easier this way."

Thank you Vinny.

The Dodgers also issued a press release on those final three bobbles:

Hall of Fame Broadcaster Vin Scully Headlines Final Three Bobbleheads in the 2012 Dodger Stadium Greats Bobblehead Series

The Dodgers unveiled today the final three collectibles in the Dodger Stadium Greats Bobblehead Series which will be given away as part of the 2012 promotional schedule and now features the first-ever bobblehead of Hall of Fame Broadcaster Vin Scully. The complete set of ten includes Eric Karros’ first Dodger Stadium bobblehead on June 28 (vs. NYM), Kirk Gibson on July 31 (vs. ARI) and Hall of Famer Scully on August 30 (vs. ARI).

The unprecedented Dodger Stadium Greats Bobblehead Series pays tribute to some of the most unforgettable Dodgers in Dodger Stadium history. The collection also features Don Drysdale with Maury Wills on April 28 (vs. WAS), Orel Hershiser on May 15 (vs. ARI), the historic Dodger infield of Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell and Ron Cey on May 29 (vs. MIL), Mike Scioscia on June 12 (vs. LAA), Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda with Hall of Fame Manager Walter Alston on July 14 (vs. SD), Sandy Koufax on August 7 (vs. COL) and Fernando Valenzuela on Aug. 21 (vs. SF).

The all-time Los Angeles Dodgers home run king Eric Karros will be featured on the club’s fifth bobblehead night on Thursday, June 28 when the Dodgers face the New York Mets. Karros blasted 270 home runs over his 12 seasons in Los Angeles and won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1992, starting a streak of five consecutive Dodgers to take home the honor. This marks Karros’ first Dodger Stadium bobblehead.

The National League’s 1988 MVP Kirk Gibson will be featured on the Dodgers’ seventh bobblehead night on Tuesday, July 31 when Gibson will manage Arizona against Los Angeles. Gibson played just three seasons with Los Angeles, but as the heart and soul of the 1988 World Champions, provided one of the greatest moments in baseball history with his dramatic walk-off home run to win Game 1 of the Fall Classic. This is the second Dodger Stadium bobblehead for Gibson.

Hall of Fame Broadcaster Vin Scully will be featured on the club’s final bobblehead night on Aug. 30 when the Dodgers take on Arizona. Entering an unprecedented 63^rd season broadcasting the Dodgers, Scully’s 62 years of consecutive service with the Dodgers is the longest of any sports broadcaster with one team. This marks the Hall of Famer’s first Dodger Stadium bobblehead.

The best way for fans to collect the entire Dodger Stadium Greats Bobblehead Series, to purchase Opening Day tickets and to participate in all other 2012 promotions, is to purchase season tickets which start at $5 per ticket and $16 per ticket for Field Level seats. The collectible series is also included in a 10-game mini plan. Several 15-game mini plans that include Opening Day and two bobblehead games from the Dodger Stadium Greats Bobblehead Series are also available.  The 25-game Pick ‘Em Mini Plan is another way to buy Opening Day tickets and to secure collectible bobbleheads. Mini plan pricing starts at $8 per seat. Information on season ticket options including mini plans is available at dodgers.com/tickets.

The full promotional schedule is available at dodgers.com/promotions.

The Final Three Bobbleheads Announced For 2012 - Vin Scully Gets A Bobblehead!

The Dodgers just announced the final three bobbleheads to be given away in 2012. 


Bobblehead# 5 - 1992 Rookie of the Year, Eric Karros
Bobblehead#7 -  1988 World Series hero, Kirk Gibson
Bobblehead#10 - The greatest Dodger of them all, Vin Scully


Eric Karros and Kirk Gibson are fine choices. I would've loved to have seen a bobblehead with all five rookies of the year, including Mike Piazza. Gibby already has a Dodger bobble, but I think he was due for a newer, better looking version.


I think the biggest news is that Vinny is finally getting a bobblehead. This is the one all Dodger fans wanted. Along with Sandy Koufax, there aren't any more beloved Dodgers, and they both are finally getting their bobblehead dues. I don't know how they convinced the humble Scully into allowing a bobblehead, but I'm glad they did. 


Here's the complete list of 2012 Dodger bobbleheads:

• April 28, 2012 - 2012 Bobblehead #1 - Don Drysdale and Maury Wills
• May 15, 2012 - 2012 Bobblehead #2 - Orel Hershiser
• May 29, 2012 - 2012 Bobblehead #3 - The Infield, Garvey, Cey, Russell and Lopes
• June 12, 2012 - 2012 Bobblehead #4 - Mike Scioscia
• June 28, 2012 - 2012 Bobblehead #5 - Eric Karros
• July 14, 2012 - 2012 Bobblehead #6 - Tommy Lasorda and Walter Alston
• July 31, 2012 - 2012 Bobblehead #7 - Kirk Gibson
• August 7, 2012 - 2012 Bobblehead #8 - Sandy Koufax
• August 21, 2012 - 2012 Bobblehead #9 - Fernando Valenzuela
• August 30, 2012 - 2012 Bobblehead #10 - Vin Scully
• Did the Dodgers get this right? Was there anyone they should've included in 2012?gust 302012 - 2012 Bobblehead #10

Bobblehead Of The Day: Mike Piazza Headliner

While technically not a bobblehead, this Mike Piazza figure is about the same size and is built similarly to one. Produced by Corinthians, Headliners XL's figures featured some of the biggest stars in baseball. This Mike Piazza was produced in 1998, along with eleven other players. There is one other Dodger on that list, Hideo Nomo. Here is the complete 1998 Headliners Roster:


1. Barry Bond               7. Andres Galarraga
2. Ken Griffey Jr.          8. Derek Jeter
3. Chipper Jones          9. Dave Justice
4. Mark McGwire         10. Hideo Nomo
5. Mike Piazza             11. Cal Ripken Jr.
6. Alex Rodriguez        12. Frank Thomas


All the figures were limited to a run of 20,000 units and come with  a certificate of authenticity which is attached to the back of the box.


Here's Piazza:

Even though the head doesn't bobble, I still love this thing. From the mullet to the mustache, this looks so much like Mike Piazza. Another feature I like is the removable hat. 


Mike Piazza was my favorite Dodger in the 90's and like many other Dodger fans, I was very sad the day he was traded. I always hoped the Dodgers would giveaway a bobblehead of him. They haven't announced one yet, but I have a feeling he'll finally get one in 2012. For now, this is the closest thing I've got to a Mike Piazza bobble.

2001 Topps Archive Ralph Branca Autograph

Happy 86th Birthday Ralph Branca! Branca played for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1944 to 1953 and again in 1956. He has a career record of 88-68 with an ERA of 3.79 and 829 strikeouts. 


Ralph Branca is probably best remembered for one pitch. That pitch was thrown in a playoff game on October 3, 1951 against the rival New York Giants.

From Ralph Branca's Wiki:

Branca entered the game in the ninth inning and surrendered a walk-off homerun known as "The Shot Heard 'Round the World" to Bobby Thomson, giving the Giants the National League pennant.

Branca later learned from Detroit Tiger Ted Gray that the Giants had stolen the signs to the two pitches he threw Thomson. That rumor was confirmed in The Wall Street Journal in 2001, when Giants Sal Yvars admitted that he relayed to Thomson the stolen signs for Branca's fastballs. Joshua Prager detailed the revelations in a book entitled The Echoing Green: The Untold Story of Bobby Thomson, Ralph Branca and The Shot Heard Round the World. Thomson acknowledged to Prager that the Giants had stolen signs in 1951 but denied that he had foreknowledge of the pitch he hit off Branca for the pennant-winning home run. According to Branca, Thomson admitted to accepting the stolen signs during his first three at-bats of that game, but claimed that he did not do so in the final at-bat; Branca indicated that he did not believe Thomson's denials and remained convinced that Thomson was in fact tipped off on the fateful pitch.

Despite giving up one of the biggest homeruns in baseball history and the circumstances surrounding it, Branca was never bitter. In fact, he developed a friendship with Bobby Thomson that lasted until Thomson's death in 2010. 


Another interesting fact about Branca is that he was half Jewish. Even though he was raised Catholic, his mother, who immigrated to the United States in 1901, was a Hunganrian Jew who converted to Catholicism. Branca had relatives who died in the Holocaust. It's a pretty interesting story which is also told by Joshua Prager. You can read about it here.


Anyway, in honor of Ralph Branca's birthday, I wanted to show the one autograph I own. This is a 2001 Topps Archive Ralph Branca Certified Autograph

                  
  Even though this happened way before my time, I hate watching the Giants win anything.

2012 Bobbleheads Around The Majors

As we get closer to the start of the baseball season, more and more teams are announcing their promotional schedules. The Dodgers released theirs earlier than most of the other teams, and announced that they will be giving away ten bobbleheads in 2012. Let's take a look at some of the other teams that are giving away bobbleheads in the upcoming season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are giving away one bobblehead in 2012, a Joel Hanrahan All-Star Bobblehead on May 12 to all fans in attendance. They were also the first team to show a picture of the bobble.


The Cincinnati Reds have four bobblehead nights scheduled. Joey Votto Gold Glove on May 12, Sean Casey on June 23, Jay Bruce All-Star on July 18 and Johnny Cueto on August 4. All four bobbleheads will be given to the first 25,000 fans in attendance.


The San Francisco Giants are giving four bobbleheads next season as well. Sergio Romo on May 5,  A 2002 Players Bobblehead on June 30, Madison Bumgarner on July 15 and Pablo Sandoval on August 26. All four of these bobbleheads will be given to the first 25,000 fans in attendance.


The Philadelphia Phillies will give two bobbleheads away. The first is a Toyota Cliff Lee on June 4 and the second one is Hunter Pence on August 21. Both bobbleheads will be given to all fans in attendance.


The Oakland Athletics will only be giving away two bobbleheads in 2012. Rolllie Fingers gets the first of the two on April 21. The second bobblehead is a 20th consecutive victory Scott Hatteberg bobblehead on August 18.


It's still early in the offseason. Once more teams announce their promotional schedules, I'll post which bobbleheads they'll be giving away.

State Of The Blog / Trade Bait

First off I'd like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I have a lot planned for 2012. I have a new sponsor, which I'll announce soon. This new sponsor will be helping me with contests throughout the year.  Bobbles Galore will be back in 2012 as well, and we're going to be holding some sweet contests too. If you're interested in buying bobbleheads, you can always find Bobbles Galore's link in my sidebar.


Something new I've added  is my baseball card trade bait link. This blog will always be dedicated to the Los Angeles Dodgers and my bobblehead collection, but I do post a lot of my baseball card collection here as well. So I've decided to add a link in the sidebar which will connect anyone to my Dodgerbobble Trade Bait page. I'm constantly picking up new cards and I'm always up for a trade. The main focus of my personal collection is Dodger autographs. I prefer certified autos but I'm willing to take TTMs or In-Person autos too. Players I love to collect are Matt Kemp, Clayton Kershaw, Dee Gordon, Shawn Green, Sandy Koufax and Enos Cabell. I also collect LA Lakers and LA Clippers autograph too. If you're interested in making a trade, comment on the Trade Bait page or email me at dodgerbobble@yahoo.com.


Coming soon will be a link to my bobblehead trade bait.