Upcoming Appearance - Brandon League

Meet Dodgers pitcher, BRANDON LEAGUE!

Friday, August 31, 2012

12-1pm

Staples Store

11441 Jefferson Boulevard

Culver City, CA 90230

Dodgers Appearances

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Vin Scully Will Return For a 64th Season

As if the day couldn't get any better for Dodger fans like myself, Vin Scully makes a huge announcement. He'll be coming back for a 64th season. I can't imagine a season without Vin Scully calling Dodger games.

Bill Shaikin from LA Times reports:

In a year that has been so improbable, the incredible has happened.

Not Magic. Not Hanley Ramirez. Not Adrian Gonzalez. Better than all of that.

Vin Scully is coming back. The Dodgers are expected to announce Sunday that Scully will return to the Dodgers' broadcast booth next season.

If you continue to read the article, you'll notice that the Dodgers are going to make their first trip ever to Yankee stadium during the regular season. I definitely have to plan a trip to see my Dodgers at the new Yankee Stadium.

The Dodgers are scheduled to play at Yankee Stadium next season. What could be better than Scully making a rare trip to the East Coast, weaving stories of Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle in between pitches to Matt Kemp and Derek Jeter?

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Official: Dodgers and Redsox Complete Blockbuster Deal

The Red Sox are sending Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, and Nick Punto to Los Angeles. While the Dodgers are sending Rubby De La Rosa, Allen Webster, Jerry Sands, James Loney, and Ivan De Jesus to Boston.

Ever since the Padres put Adrian Gonzalez on the trading block a couple years ago, I wanted him in a Dodgers uniform. He's the best player on Mexico's World Baseball Classic team and I've been following his career since his Texas days.

Well things got interesting on Thursday when Gonzalez was places on waivers. Everyone was saying that there is close to zero chance that the Redsox would trade Gonzalez with that large contract. That quickly changed on Friday afternoon after the Dodgers were awarded claims on Gonzalez and Beckett.

Beckett has been awful this season but maybe a change of leagues can help him out. He was great when he pitched for the Florida Marlins. It's a toss up between Beckett and Blanton right now. Blanton hasn't really been pitching that well.

Carl Crawford is out for the remainder of the season because of Tommy John surgery and will most likely miss half of the season next year.

From TrueBlueLA:

Adrian Gonzalez has six years, $127 million left on his contract
Carl Crawford has five years, $102.5 million left
Josh Beckett has two years, $31.5 million remaining
Nick Punto, aka the glue to the deal, has $1.5 million due in 2013

The only player that I'll probably miss going to the Redsox will be Rubby De La Rosa. I'm fine with every other player that was included. I'm a little shocked that the Dodgers didn't have to add Zach Lee to the deal.

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Upcoming Appearance - Luis Cruz

Meet Dodgers infielder, Luis Cruz!

August 24, 2012

12pm - 1pm

Staples

3090 E. Slauson Ave.

Huntington Park, CA 90255

From the Dodgers

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Upcoming Appearance - Dwyane Wade

Meet Miami Heat Guard, Dwyane Wade!

He'll be signing copies of his book Father First
*No outside items*

September 13, 2012

7:00 pm 

Barnes & Noble

189 Grove Drive Suite K 30

Los Angeles, CA 90036

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Upcoming Appearance - Kevin Jepsen

Meet Angels pitcher, Kevin Jepsen!

September 22, 2012

11:00 AM

First 100 people in line will get 1 free Autograph each! After the first 100 people are through Signatures will be $10 each.

You are not required to purchase an item from us for this signing but it would be much appreciated! We will have 8x10's for $5 each and Baseballs for $15.99.

OC Dugout

1238 S Beach Blvd

Anaheim, California 92804

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Sports Illustrated Hot Clicks Podcast - Vin Scully

I've been a big fan of Jimmy Traina's Hot Clicks on Sports Illustrated for a couple of years. Jimmy occasionally interviews athletes and celebrities for his podcast and he announced that he was going to be interviewing the legendary broadcaster, Vin Scully!

The Vin Scully Podcast is now available to download onto iTunes or just listen to on the Sports Illustrated website. {Click Here}

Jimmy and Vin talk about Vin's past, the Dodgers, Twitter, and more. It's very interesting to hear stories about other sports that Vin Scully use to broadcast.

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2012 London Olympics Contest Winners

The 2012 London Olympics were exciting from beginning to end. The United States won the overall medal count with a total of 104. They finished with 46 Gold Medals, 29 Silver Medals, and 29 Bronze Medals. Thanks to Topps for providing the prizes for this contest.

1st Place:

Steve O'dell

2012 U.S. Olympics Sanya Richards-Ross Athlete-Worn Memorabilia

2nd Place:

Brandon Leibsohn

2012 U.S. Olympics Parallels and Inserts (55 Total)

3rd Place:

Alan Kung

2012 U.S. Olympics Base Card Set (100 Total)

I have already shipped out the prizes to all of the winners. Congrats!

Thanks to Topps for providing the prizes for this contest. Be on the look out for more contest coming soon.

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Meet the Bruins

Join the UCLA Football Team on August 18 for an exclusive
Meet the Bruins fan event at Drake Stadium.

Saturday, August 18 | 3:30pm-5:30pm | Drake Stadium

FREE Admission
Meet your 2012 UCLA Bruin Football Team! Event begins at 3:30pm.

Parking
Parking is available in lots 4,6,7,8 for $11 per car.

2012 Poster Giveaway
The first 2,000 fans will receive a FREE UCLA Football poster with the 2012 schedule.

Enter to Win!
All fans have the chance to win two tickets to the September 15 game against Houston and an authentic, game worn UCLA jersey. Enter at the marketing table by the front entrance.

Meet the Bruins: Autographs
Get autographs from your favorite Bruins and Coaches! Remember your camera for photos and your gear for the team to sign. Fans are restricted to one autograph per athlete in order to accommodate the most fans possible.

Live Music 
Listen to UCLA's very own live DJ from Vala Entertainment, DJ Benjamin Walker.

Live Interviews
Hear from Coach Jim Mora, Offensive Coordinator Noel Mazzone, Defensive Coordinator Lou Spanos and more!

UCLA Store
Gear up for football season at the UCLA Store in the FanZone. Now is the chance to get some apparel for the autograph session!

Food Trucks
Getting hungry? No problem! Food Trucks will be in the FanZone to satisfy all your hunger needs!

Wooden Athletic Fund 
Bring your current WAF membership card or sign up as a new WAF donor to be eligible for giveaways, including official UCLA Football jerseys!

Bring business cards to enter a drawing for a football signed by Coach Mora (follow @WoodenFundon Twitter to find out if you win).

Bruin Kids Club Fun Zone
Open from 3:30-5:30pm, the Kid Zone is located on the North End of Marshall Field at Drake Stadium.

Activities include:

Kick a Field Goal: Kick a field goal on authentic goal posts just like the ones your Bruins use.20 yard Dash: Are you the fastest Bruin Kid? Now is your chance to prove it! The best time wins a prize!
UCLA Temporary Tattoo Station: Show your UCLA spirit by stopping by the temporary tattoo station for a free tattoo.

*Construction Update
Pauley Pavilion is under construction at the south end of Drake Stadium. Please plan accordingly if you have any dust allergies.

Drake Stadium

555 Westwood Plaza

Westwood, California 90095

 

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Upcoming Appearance - Mark Trumbo & Peter Bourjos

Meet current LA Angels players:

Peter Bourjos and Mark Trumbo

Sat. Aug. 18 2012

11:30AM-1:00PM

Metro PCS

2307 Bristol St

Santa Ana, CA 92704

(714) 730-2876

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Upcoming Appearance - Troy Glaus

Meet Angels World Series MVP, Troy Glaus!

August 17th, 2012

7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Under the Halo Book Signing

Angel Stadium - Field Level (near Home Plate Gate trophy case)

Angels Baseball is pleased to announce the book signing of Under the Halo. Under the Halocommemorates 50 years of Angels baseball and is available for purchase for $60.

Only fans purchasing this book will receive an autograph and a FREE raffle ticket for a drawing to win a Toyota Yaris.

Proceeds will benefit the Angels Baseball Foundation.

- No photographs
- ONE autograph per peson

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Upcoming Appearance - Scott Spiezio

Meet former Angels infielder, Scott Spiezio!

August 16th, 2012

7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Under the Halo Book Signing

Angel Stadium - Field Level (near Home Plate Gate trophy case)

Angels Baseball is pleased to announce the book signing of Under the Halo. Under the Halocommemorates 50 years of Angels baseball and is available for purchase for $60.

Only fans purchasing this book will receive an autograph and a FREE raffle ticket for a drawing to win a Toyota Yaris.

Proceeds will benefit the Angels Baseball Foundation.

- No photographs
- ONE autograph per peson

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Upcoming Appearance - Garrett Richards

Meet Angels pitcher, Garrett Richards!

August 11th

10:30 AM

$20 for small items

$30 for large items

$10 per inscription

Photo op included!

Oc Dugout

1238 S Beach Blvd

Anaheim, California 92804

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Upcoming Appearance - Alec Martinez and Steve Garvey

Northridge Grand Opening!

Saturday, August 11

Northridge Sports Authority

9301 Tampa Avenue

Northridge, California 91324

Get an Autograph and Meet LA Kings Defenseman ALEC MARTINEZ (10:30 am)

+ 

Meet FORMER Dodgers infielder Steve Garvey (1 pm)

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Upcoming Appearance - Ernesto Frieri

Meet and get autographs from Ernesto Frieri!

SAT AUG. 11

11:00AM-12:30PM

Stadium Nissan 

1140 W. Katella Ave, 

Orange, California 92867 

Spin-to-Win Station items and tickets.

PLEASE NOTE: IT'S ONE AUTOGRAPH PER PERSON. AUTOGRAPH SESSION WILL START AT 11AM AND END AT 12:30PM SHARP! 

Hosted by AM 830

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Upcoming Appearance - Peter Bourjos

Meet and get autographs from Peter Bourjos!

SAT AUG. 11

11:00AM-12:30PM

Stadium Nissan 

1140 W. Katella Ave, 

Orange, California 92867 

Spin-to-Win Station items and tickets.

PLEASE NOTE: IT'S ONE AUTOGRAPH PER PERSON. AUTOGRAPH SESSION WILL START AT 11AM AND END AT 12:30PM SHARP! 

Hosted by AM 830

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Dwight Howard is Finally A Laker

It's about time the Orlando Magic trade Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers.

They have a press conference set at 5pm to introduce their new big man. There is also word that Dwight will miss the beginning of the regular season due to his back injury.

I know he said he isn't going to sign an extension but I'm not worried about him going anywhere else to play. The Lakers can offer him the most money and they have a very good team around him. Why would he go play with Dallas for less money and just Dirk?

I can't wait for the NBA season to start. Tickets are going to be expensive but they've always been too expensive for me. I'll just sit back and watch it on my couch.

Lakers press release:

The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired three-time Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic in a four-team trade, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. In addition to Howard, the Lakers will receive Chris Duhon and Earl Clark from the Magic while sending Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga and a future protected first round and 2015 protected second round draft pick to Orlando. Andrew Bynum will be sent to the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Howard, the first player in NBA history to earn three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year Awards (2009, 2010, 2011), has been named First Team All-NBA in each of the past five seasons (Third Team in 2006-07), First Team All-Defense in each of the past four seasons (Second Team in 2007-08) and has made six consecutive All-Star appearances for the Eastern Conference (five straight starts). 

Selected by the Magic with the first overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft out of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, Howard has appeared in 621 career regular season games, averaging 18.4 points, 13.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.01 steals and 2.16 blocks in 36.2 minutes. Owning the fifth best career field goal percentage (.577) in NBA history, Howard has finished ranked among the league’s top 10 in field goal accuracy in each of his eight NBA seasons while having led the NBA in total rebounds six times and in blocks twice.
A member of the USA Men’s Senior National Team that captured the Gold Medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, this past season, Howard appeared in 54 games, averaging 20.6 points, 2.15 blocks and career-bests in rebounds (14.5), assists (1.9), steals (1.5) and minutes (38.3). 

“We’d like to thank Andrew for all he’s done for the team and the organization,” said Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak. “Andrew has been with us since we drafted him at seventeen years old and over the last seven years we have watched him develop into an All-Star player who has helped the team win two NBA Championships. He’s a special talent with a bright future. We appreciate all of his contributions and wish him well for the remainder of his career.” 

“We also appreciate the contributions that Josh and Christian made,” said Kupchak. “Although they were only with us for a short period of time, they worked hard both on and off the court and were well respected by their teammates. We wish them the best of luck in the future.”

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Matt Kemp Replica Jersey Giveaway

A nice giveaway that isn't just for kids 14 and under.

Fans with the first 30,000 tickets on Tuesday, September 4 (vs. SD, 7:10 p.m.) will receive a Kemp replica jersey. Fans can purchase tickets for the Kemp replica jersey giveaway night by visiting www.dodgers.com/promotions or by calling 866-DODGERS.

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