2020 Topps Project 2020 -- Sandy Koufax by Andrew Thiele

I really like this card.

Here is Andrew Thiele's rendition of Sandy Koufax's 1955 Topps card, and as you can see it includes some aspects of the original, but at the same time is wholly his own creation. Go here to check it out and order. A complete checklist of all the cards in the set can be found here. The reverse of the card is on the right.

2020 Topps Transcendent Collection - Hall of Fame Edition - All the Dodgers

A $20,000 box of cards was just released by Topps. It's their Transcendent Collection brand and it is the Hall of Fame edition and is limited to only 50 boxes.

Each box consist of a 50 card Hall of Fame base set, a 50 card Hall of Famers Original Art Sketch, 41 autographed cards and a invitation to a unique VIP Experience with a not-yet-to-be-determined Hall of Fame player. Go here for a complete checklist. Below are most of the Dodger cards I could find.

Base Hall of Fame Icons (#/50)

#25 Sandy Koufax           #29 Jackie Robinson

Blog Kiosk: 4/28/2020 - Dodgers Link & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here is a fantastic International News press photo from Game 4 of the 1955 World Series. It features Sandy Amoros scoring the Dodgers first run of the evening in the third inning. As you know, the Dodgers would win this game, 8-5. Photo available via Mile High Card Co auction.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1900 Brooklyn Superbas outfielder Fielder Jones becomes the first modern day Dodger player to hit a grand slam. It was accomplished at Brooklyn's Washington Park. In 1982 the Dodgers traded Leo Hernandez to Baltimore for professional pinch-hitter Jose Morales. As a pinch hitter in his career he slashed .276/.324/.424/.747 with 123 hits in 446 at-bats. As a Dodger he batted .270 with 24 hits in 89 at-bats. In 1985 Fernando Valenzuela set a major league record by extending his consecutive scoreless innings streak at the start of the season to 41 frames when he blanks San Diego for eight innings. The Padres would then score off Fernando in the ninth inning when Tony Gwynn hit a game winning homer to defeat the Dodgers, 1-0. 
• Happy Birthday, David Freese, Matt Beaty & Jim Poole!

Blog Kiosk: 4/27/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a vintage World Wide Photo print featuring Dodgers ace Sandy Koufax with Jay North - aka, Dennis the Menace. They appeared together in an episode of Dennis the Menace in May 1962 -- during 31st episode of season 3. The episode was titled, "Dennis and the Dodger." The photo is available through RMY Auctions. You can watch much of the episode on Daily Motion, here.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1929 Dodger reliever Clise Dudley became the first pitcher (and only second player ever) to hit a home run on the first major league pitch thrown to him. In 1944 Jim Tobin of the Braves no-hits the Brooklyn Dodgers in Boston, 2-0. In 1990 Orel Hershiser undergoes surgery on his pitching shoulder. In 2004 Mets Catcher Mike Piazza ties Carlton Fisk for most career round-trippers by a catcher when he hit home run #351 against Dodgers hurler Hideo Nomo at Dodger Stadium.
• Happy Birthday, Hi Myers, Frank Wurm & Corey Seager!

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.”

Blog Kiosk: 4/24/2020 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I love the look on Duke Snider's face in this 1955 International News press photo taken by Frank Mastro (eBay auction link).

Duke in a Royal Fix with Fans
Brooklyn, NY ... A surprised Duke Snider scratches his head in the dugout at Ebbets Field tonight as he looks over the newspaper accounts of his statement. "Why all the fuss and furor?" he said. Last night the Duke lashed out at Brooklyn fans as a bunch of "Front Runners" who can't bear seeing the flock lose. His statement came after the Dodgers bowed in a twin session to the Redlegs. 8-26-1955.

Little did Brooklynites know that their "Bums" would soon be celebrating in the streets. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1962 Sandy Koufax fanned 18 Cubs at Wrigley Field during a 10-2 win -- tying a Major League record set by Bob Feller for strike outs in a game. In 1998 Mike Piazza tied a Major League record when he walloped his third grand slam of the month during a 12-4 victory over the Cubs.
• Happy Birthday, Harry Harper, Dixie Howell, Bill Singer, Pat Zachry, Bill Krueger & Mike Blowers!