2020 Topps Inception - All the Dodger Inserts

Now that you've seen the Dodger base cards found in packs of 2020 Topps Inception, here's a look at the inserts that are available. You'll notice that the inserts are prospect heavy -- featuring a bevy of youngsters like Gavin Lux, Dustin May and Will Smith.

Base Rookies & Emerging Stars Autographs

#RESA-DM Dustin May         #RESA-GL Gavin Lux

I Recently Bought some Nomo's -- Nike Air Max NM

I'm not much of a sneakerhead, but I do know what I like... And what I really like... No... What I'm really lovin' right now is a pair of pre-owned sneakers I recently snagged on eBay. Check it out above and below.

What you see is a pair of Air Max NM -- better known as the Air Nomo Max 1. These were specially branded training shoes made for former Dodgers starting pitcher and Japanese sensation Hideo Nomo starting in 1996 - a year after winning the NL Rookie of the Year Award. The pair I have is a retro version that was released in 2011 -- nearly ten years ago. They had also renamed the shoe from Air Nomo Max 1 to Air Max NM that year.

As you may have noticed, the design of the shoe is meant to reflect the nickname Hideo Nomo had -- The Tornado. The pattern on the upper has solid blue leather with numerous triangular cutouts on each side. This is meant to look like wind swirling around like a tornado.

Blog Kiosk: 3/24/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out these two old men above at Dodgertown, Vero Beach, FL in the press pic from Wide World Photo. As you can see, Duke Snider is having his knee checked out by Dodger skipper Walter Alston. It is dated 2/23/1959 (eBay auction link). Snider had experienced knee troubles last season that resulted in Duke playing in only 106 games.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 Leo Durocher had a four-hour hearing with Commissioner Happy Chandler, related to gambling. In this meeting he would admit to playing cards for money with Kirby Higbe. Durocher would soon be given a one-season suspension for "association with known gamblers." In 1959 an infamous photo is taken of Reds outfielder  Pete Whisenant during an exhibition game in Cuba against the Brooklyn Dodgers. He is seen holding Fidel Castor's machine gun. See it on the right. In 1982 Dodgers star hurler Fernando Valenzuela ends his contract holdout and reports to the Dodgers spring training. After winning the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards he sought a raise from $42,500 to $1 million. Instead, the Dodgers unilaterally renewed his contract for a reported $350,000. In 1984 the International Olympic Committee agreed to hold a six-team exhibition baseball tournament as part of the 1984 Summer Olympics to be held at Dodger Stadium.
• Happy Birthday, Jim McCauley, Mike Mowrey, Jim Bucher, Dick Egan, Wilson Alvarez & Jamie Arnold!

The Only Thing You Need to Listen to Today -- Vin Scully

I've been thinking about Vin Scully too, so yesterdays story from Bill Plaschke was nice to see. He gave Vin a call and shared his thoughts about what's been going on with all of us. (Story Link -- "Pull up a chair and hear Vin Scully give a message of hope and optimism")

“We’re like everybody else, we’re hunkered down,” says Scully, who is sheltering with wife Sandi in their Los Angeles home. “But for me, I’ve been hunkered down ever since we hung things up at the end of ‘16, I’m very accustomed to being at home …it’s that old line, if it wasn’t for doctor appointments we wouldn’t have a social life at all.”

2020 Topps Inception - The Dodgers Base Cards

Thank goodness new Baseball card sets are still finding their way into collectors arms. Without them, I think some folks would go a little crazy -- especially given how wild things have been.

Today is the official release date of Topps 2020 Inception Baseball card brand, and I've got pics of the six Dodger base cards found within packs. Check them all out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

This is one of the more colorful sets available. The player portraits have a look of a painting, with splashes of abstract color like a Pollock or Kandinsky in the background. A total of six different color backgrounds are available -- green, purple, magenta, red, orange and blue. A box will include one pack of seven cards, and it will cost you about $60 to $70 per box. You are guaranteed one autographed card per pack.

Base

#14 Edwin Rios                #21 Tony Gonsolin

Blog Kiosk: 3/20/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

This is just charming. Featured here is a vintage press photograpgh (P&A Photos) of former Dodger owner Charles Ebbets with his wife Grace (eBay auction link). Per the descriptor on the reverse:

"Squire" Ebbets, owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers and his wife picking oranges at Clearwater, Fla., where his team is in training. The "Squire" has always been a shrewd business man and a judge of good baseball material. Here's hoping that he hasn't picked any "Lemons" on his team.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1934 the great Babe Didrikson pitched the first inning against the Brooklyn Dodgers during an spring training game against the Philadelphia A's at McCurdy Field in Frederick, Maryland. She walked one and gave up no hits. In 2005 the Dodgers traded starting pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii to the Mets for catcher Jason Phillips. In 2008 the Dodgers make their Cactus League debut. For the first time they would spend their spring training in Arizona. They would beat the White Sox in Phoenix, 8-2. 
• Happy Birthday, Pat Corrales, Mike Griffin, Joe McGinnity, Johnny Butler, Jim Golden, Terry McDermott, Rick Parker & Will Brunson!