Blog Kiosk: 9/15/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

I missed this recent release from Topps yesterday. Featured here is a Topps 2020 Turn Back the Clock online exclusive card made available yesterday, and it celebrates Clayton Kershaw's complete game shutout ten-years ago. Per the description on the reverse:

September 14, 2010 -- In a game where the Dodgers only mustered one run, 22-year-old Clayton Kershaw gave the team a much needed dominant performance. The left-hander fired a complete-game shutout. allowing just four hits and leading the Dodgers to a tight, 1-0 victory over the division-rival Giants.

BTW, this Kershaw win was his first career shutout and complete game. Check out the boxscore here. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1946 the second game of a doubleheader between the Dodgers and Cubs at Ebbets Field is postponed during the fifth inning due to a giant swarm of gnats attacking the field and players and the coming evening darkness. In 1978 the home attendance at Dodger Stadium of 47,188 fans marks the first time in Major League history that a team has drawn more the three million rooters during a season at home.
• Happy Birthday, Doc Bushong, Bud Clancy, Fritz Ostermueller, Charley Smith & Jim Barbieri!

2020 Topps Now 'Turn Back the Clock' -- Eric Gagne's 130th Career Save

Today's 'Turn Back the Clock' card makes note of Eric Gagne setting a Dodger record for saves -- at 130. It occurred against the Dimaondbacks in Arizona and featured him striking out all four batters he faced -- Danny Bautista, Roberto Alomar, Steve Finley and Luis Gonzalez (boxscore). BTW, he passed Jeff Shaw on the Dodgers' All-Time list.

2020 Topps Now 'Turn Back the Clock' -- Sandy Koukax's First No-No

Today's Topps Turn Back the Clock online exclusive card should be of no surprise. It features a legendary Dodger doing something legendary.

On this date in 1962 Sandy Koufax threw his very first no-hitter. It was against the Mets, and from the get-go he dominated. What I mean by that is he let it be known during the first inning that he would be unhittable. Per Marc Z. Aaron at SABR:

Koufax (10-4, 2.48 ERA) did not waste any time in getting down to business. Nine pitches were all he needed to set down the first three Mets hitters — Richie Ashburn, Rod Kanehl, and Felix Mantilla — on strikes. Mantilla took his looking. You could have heard each of them muttering some expletives as they left the batter’s box. As Koufax walked to the dugout, he received a standing ovation from the fans behind the Dodgers dugout. Mets third-base coach Solly Hemus was good-naturedly needling Koufax, yelling, “It isn’t really that easy, is it?” Koufax could be heard responding, “No, it surely isn’t.”

Blog Kiosk: 6/8/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Yesterday Topps released their sixth Dodgers-related 2020 Topps Now 'Turn Back the Clock' online exclusive card and it makes note of Yasiel Puig's remarkable debut in 2013 -- four homers in his first five games. Per the description on the reverse.

June 7, 2013 -- After tallying three home runs and nine RBI in his first four games, Yasiel Puig continued the Scintillating start to his Baseball career. The 22-year-old clubbed a solo shot, marking four home runs in his first five games and giving the Dodgers another dynamic athlete to add to a solid starting lineup.

Unfortunately, it is too late to order this card directly from Topps. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1955 the Dodgers sent pitcher Tommy Lasorda down to the minors (Montreal Royals) in order to make room for bonus baby signee Sandy Koufax on the roster. In 1968 Don Drysdale not only set the major league record for consecutive scoreless innings, but also saw his streak end at 58 2/3 innings when the Phillies score a run in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by Howie Bedell. In fact, this would be Bedell's only RBI this season. BTW, the Dodgers would win the game, 5-3. In 1991 Mike Scioscia catches his 1,219th game as a Dodgers - setting a franchise mark for games caught. In 2012 the Dodgers are no-hit by six different Mariner pitchers, 1-0. Seattle began the game with Kevin Millwood, then followed Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor, Lucas Luetge, Brandon League, and Tom Wilhelmsen.
• Happy Birthday, Van Lingle Mungo, Mark Belanger, Kevin Gross & Dave Mlicki!

2020 Topps Now 'Turn Back the Clock' -- Matt Kemp

The 2011 season was a big one for Matt Kemp. Free agency was looming and he had not yet become a superstar on the field. Soon though, the Baseball world would see.

He started out the season on fire -- slashing .441/.537/.647/1.184 with one homer over the first ten games of the season. By the start of June he was rocking a solid .312 batting average with 13 homers and a .945 OPS. Then June 4th came, and Matt Kemp showed that he had a flair for the dramatic. With the Dodgers down by four runs in the eighth inning, Kemp came up to the plate with the bases filled and hit a game-tying homerun to keep the Dodgers in the game. Eventually, the club would win it in extras, 11-8 (boxscore).

In honor of his dramatics Topps has issued a 2020 Topps Now 'Turn Back the Clock' card for collectors to add to their collections. Go here to check it out and order. Here is what it says on the reverse:

2020 Topps 'Turn Back the Clock' -- Duke's Big Day

This days Turn Back the Clock Topps online exclusive card makes note of Duke Snider's outstanding day at the plate in 1955. Against the Milwaukee Braves he pummeled the club to the tune of three home runs, a double and six RBI. On top of that, the Dodger overall hit six homers -- establishing a new club record for homers in a game. Go here to check it out and order. Below is what's written on the reverse:

June 1, 1955 -- Duke put on a show for the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field, clubbing three home runs as part of a four-hit game with six RBI. Duke went yard in his first at-bat, before launching blast in consecutive at-bats later in the game. The monstrous performance led the Dodgers to an 11-8 victory over the Milwaukee Braves.

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2020 Topps 'Turn Back the Clock' -- Campy's 40 RBI in 30 Games

1953 could not have started any better for Roy. After enduring a year filled with injuries, Campanella began the new season with a single to left field off of Pittsburgh hurler Murry Dickson and just never stopped hitting.

During that Opening Day game he went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI. Over his first ten games he slashed .368/.442/.684/1.126 with three homers and 17 RBI. At twenty games Campanella exploded -- going .372/.437/.769/1.206 with nine home runs and 33 RBI. In thirty games he established a new Major League record by recording his 40th RBI in thirty games -- a mark that would not be eclipsed until Tino Martinez did it with the Yankees in 1997. BTW, he slashed .333/.420/.711/1.130 with twelve home runs and 44 RBI during those thirty games -- no doubt, Herculean type of numbers.

2020 Topps 'Turn Back the Clock' -- Sandy Koufax's 18 Strike Outs

The third 'Turn Back the Clock' Dodger card and second card featuring Sandy Koufax in the set is now available to order directly from Topps. Go here to check it out. Go here see an entire checklist of the set.

As you may know, Sandy Koufax whiffed 18 Cub batters on this day in 1962 to win 10-2 (boxscore). Per Gregory H. Wolf at SABR.com -- who penned a fantastic article about this game:

“Strikeouts are nice to have, particularly in a jam, and they are going to come to a pitcher who throws hard,” noted Koufax, “but I wouldn’t trade a 20-game season for all the strikeout records in the books.”

Jackie Robinson Day Online Exclusive Cards from Topps - Turn Back the Clock & Project 2020

It comes as no surprise that Topps has issued a couple of online exclusive cards featuring Jackie Robinson on this day -- Jackie Robinson Day. First, take a look at the 'Turn Back the Clock' card at the very top. Go here to check it out and order. It celebrates Jackie breaking the color barrier. Per the description on the reverse:

April 15, 1947 -- On a day that will be remembered forever in Baseball history - Jackie Robinson, took his position at first base for Brooklyn and broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. The 28--year-old, who had a sterling 1946 season with the Dodgers affiliate in Montreal, reached on an error and scored in the bottom of the seventh inning, helping Brooklyn to the 5-3 win over Boston.

2020 Topps Now 'Turn Back the Clock' -- Sandy Koufax Opening Day Start

This season saw the birth of a brand new Topps Now online exclusive set that barrows its design and concept from the 1987 Topps Baseball card set -- the Turn Back the Clock subset. As you may know, this subset takes a look back at anniversaries and milestones in Baseball. Go here for a complete checklist.