RECAP : DON LARSEN APPEARANCE / SIGNING @ THE ORLEANS IN VEGAS 10-29-2011

This past weekend was my birthday and my wonderful wife and so-so father in law ( ha ha, just kidding ) took me to the city of Sin to celebrate. I always have my traditions which is my birthday movie, birthday video, etc. I saw that Dee Gordon was going to be in Vegas and thought to add a signing to the tradition and told the wife that even on getaway weekends she can't get away from baseball. I put her at ease stating we already met him and didn't need to meet him again. Off to Orleans we went for some poker playing and as I walked by I saw a sign for a Don Larsen signing the next day and thought even though he played for the Yankees it would be a great addition as I always wanted the signature of the only person in history to throw a perfect game in the world series and only person to throw a no-hitter in the world series ( Roy Halladay threw one in the division series ). I turned and saw that Don was sitting right there as it was a two day event. He and his agent tried to get us to get the signing that day but I wanted in on an official ball of course so I told them I would be there the next day after I make a run to Target.
Got there the next day and he was there waiting and gladly signed a ball for me and I asked him if he could put the inscription of " W.S.P.G. 10-8-1956 " which he gladly did. Also for the purchase price you got a signed photo of the game a photo op with the man himself. All together we probably spent over 30 minutes talking to Don and he was very personable and fun to talk to. Though it was at the expense of my beloved Dodgers you have to love having the opportunity of meeting someone that is a one of in baseball history of doing something. A great time and a great signature.

UPCOMING APPEARANCE / SIGNING : STAN " THE MAN " LEE

Comic Legend Stan Lee will be doing a signing on December 10, 2011 at Frank and Sons. Pricing will be forthcoming.

UPCOMING APPEARANCE / SIGNING : JUSTIN SELLERS

Justin Sellers will be doing a signing on November 12, 2011 at Valley Sports Cards in Tarzana. Stage time is at 12 noon and will last a hour. Price is $20 for any item.  

RECAP : MANNY MOTA / WES PARKER APPEARANCE / SIGNING @ FRANK AND SONS 10-3-2011

This past weekend I went to go get former Dodger great Wes Parker's autograph on a ball and while there I decide to get other former Dodger great and current coach Manny Mota's autograph.

Manny was first up at around 11:00 a.m. and I was probably somewhere around 30-40th in line. Line was a tad slow but had some good conversations with fellow fans while waiting. Once up to the table where he was sitting I found out why it was slower than some other signers as he signs at a slow pace, which makes the actual signature neater, and if you spoke Spanish ( which I don't ) he would converse with you a little more. Received my signature and said thank you and moved on. Pictures were not allowed to be taken with him but you could take one from afar or of him signing your item.

Up next was Wes Parker who started signing roughly at 12:00 p.m. Surprisingly I was first in line as most people were in a separate line awaiting the arrival of Don Newcombe who I met early this year. Better for me and the few other people that were in Wes's line. Before signing he ended up talking to ex-Dodger Tim Leary. Got up to the table and handed him a ball and he was about to side panel me before asking where I would like him to sign. Ugh, I hate side panel signatures unless it is a speciality ball. He noticed my name on my jersey that I was wearing and asked if I remember so-so player and I responded by saying no but I remember his son ( which I didn't but it was an educated guess ) and to my surprise he knew who I was talking about.

So in the end I spent a couple hours with some fellow fans and had some decent conversations and the signers were nice and cordial and the signatures came out great. Next up is the big 1981 World Series Champion reunion next month.

UPCOMING APPEARANCE/SIGNING : PETER BOURJOUS , MARK TRUMBO , MIKE TROUT

The Angel trio of young stars will be doing a signing on September 24, 2011 at the OC Dugout location out in Anaheim Hills. Though Bourjous is nothing really special and does enough signings, Trumbo might be ROY and Trout is a hard sign and is rated the number one prospect in baseball. So even though they are Angels I will be there looking to add good young players to my collection. Thanks for the info from the OC Dugout guys.

Peter Bourjous

• Small $ 20
• Large $ 30

Mark Trumbo

• Small $ 30
• Large $ 40

Mike Trout

• Small $ 35
• Large $ 45

RECAP : DEE GORDON APPEARANCE / SIGNING @ OC DUGOUT 8-27-2011

...So back I go to OC Dugout for an autograph signing. Considering the experience I had last week with the Salmon signing ( see previous blog entry ) I did not expect much but since it was for a Dodger I would try it again. Very pleasantly surprised that it was a complete 180 from last week. Dodgers were playing a day game that ended up going into extra innings til KemVp ended it with a Bison Bomb. Was listening to the game on the radio and once the final out was recorded I started to head down to Anaheim. Got there around 6:20ish and there were no more than 60 or so people in front of me. The OC guys were passing out pizza and bottled water. Must of heard about Kemp's delivery service from the previous day. A nice touch by the guys there. Thank you. I didn't expect many people as it was a pay signing and it wasn't someone big ( yet ). Kind of reminded me of Kemp and Ethier paid signings years ago before they got big. Now even paid events for both of those players are hundreds long of people. Dee arrived around 7:00 in his new Dodger Challenger. Being in the auto industry I can appreciate nice rides and this one is a nice one. Probably one of my favorites from recent years. Nothing beats classic muscle cars though from back in the day. Had to take a picture of me and the car. Admire but respect so no touching. Once there they started letting people in about 5 or so at a time. Waiting wasn't bad as I chatted up a few people. One young boy and his family who were mostly Angel fans told me that the son already had 100+ autograph balls and 4 bats filled with autographs and I would say he was no more than 8. Kind of jealous. Once we were let into the store the line slowed a tad but that was ok because it was caused by Dee being courteous with everyone and talking to each person. If asked for a photo he actually got out from behind the table and stood up with you. Not like some where you just do a lean in photo ( which I have no problem with ). Dee was great and hope his rehab goes well and hope to see him on the field this week.

TIM SALMON SIGNING @ OC DUGOUT - 8.20.2011

So, as a baseball fan and not just a Dodger fan if a player of some positive caliber is in town and doing an appearance I like to venture out and try to get their autograph. Obviously growing up in southern California I saw Salmon alot on tv and respected him as a player. Stayed with the team when he could have moved on, took on a lesser role to be part of a championship team, etc. This signing was this past Saturday at OC Dugout out in Anaheim. Since I have never been there and I plan to be there this weekend for Dee Gordon's appearance I thought I would use this opportunity to scout the place and see how it is run and what to expect next weekend. I even took my wife who is a die hard angel fan. Boy, this has to rank as one of my worst experiences at a signing considering the circumstances there.

The signing was scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Called ahead and they stated that if I got there by 1:30-2:00 I should have no problem getting an autograph. We got there around 1:30 and didn't notice any line which I found odd but walked into the door and noticed Salmon in the back of the store with no one but a few fans mingling around and store workers but no one in line to get an autograph. Cool. So walked up and paid my fee and walked towards the table he was signing at. I had my wife get the camera ready so I could get a picture. He was sitting there signing felt copies of his number (15) obviously for the store as they pay for time and not actual number of signatures which is all good and fine. I walk up to Salmon and say hi, how are you? No response and as I had the ball and pen in my hand in front of him and he takes it and without looking up at us and signs the ball and hands it back with nothing else to say as I said thank you. I then asked to take a photo and the store workers/owners that sitting next to him feeding his felt numbers say, NO, its too late, you had to take picture of him signing the ball and there is no way for a picture with him. All this as Salmon is not even looking up while continuing to sign his number. My wife ends up taking a picture of him signing his number from afar and I was given a dirty look. Again, all this and there is no one else in the store to actually get a signature and he still had over a hour left on his time.

The wife said that this was the rudest signing she has been too and she doesn't go to many and she is the Angel fan. I can understand pictures and such when there is a long line and crowd ( a la Kemp signings ) but when you are the only person there and are paying I would at the very least expect some common courtesy to acknowledge the person in front of you. Players can have bad days like the rest of us but this is my fourth Angel signing in my life and only one has been a pleasant one. What bothered me even more was the stores employees with the rude looks and rushed atmosphere. And before anyone asks, no, I went in plain clothes. No team affiliation whatsoever. I respect the player not to show up in other teams colors if there are not Dodgers. I really hope Dee's appearance is better and if not I will not be going back to the OC Dugout anytime soon.

UPCOMING APPEARANCE/SIGNING : MAURY WILLS, BILL MADLOCK AND PETE ROSE

Diamond Star Sports Cards will be hosting their second sport cards and memorabilia show of the year at the Glendale Civic Auditorium this upcoming October 28 - October 30. Two guests have been announced so far. Back in May they had four guests and they state they will announce more so I expect at least a couple more to be added to the list. I've met both before. Both are talkers and personable and have good stories to share if they are not rushed and have the time.

Bill Madlock and Vida Blue have now been added to the list of people that will be appearing. I don't expect anymore to be added but if so I will update as needed.

UPCOMING APPEARANCE/SIGNING : DEE GORDON

Dee Gordon is doing a signing at OC Dugout on August 27th around 5:00 p.m. All depends on the Dodger/Rockie game that starts at 1:10 p.m.

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