2020 Topps Project 2020 -- Sandy Koufax by Fucci

One of the more exciting things about Topps' Project 2020 is discovering these artist. After all, we all know who these ballplayers are, but how many of these artistic collaborators have you ever run across? For most of us the answers is "never," so I find it refreshing that a hobby we all love is willing to take us on a creative adventure.

Featured above is the Sandy Koufax card created by Toronto-based pop artist Fucci. As you can see, it bears no resemblance to Sandy's actual rookie card. Instead, we see a portrait-styled minimalist drawing, using bright vibrant colors and a faceless caricature of the Hall of Fame pitcher.

Blog Kiosk: 5/15/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out these two future Hall of Famers, Pee Wee Reese and Ducky Medwick, hanging out on the dugout steps in this UPI press photo from the '40's (eBay auction link).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 the Dodgers purchase starting pitcher Sal "the Barber" Maglie from the Indians. Maglie would go on to have a terrific season with the Dodgers. He went 13-5 with an 2.87 ERA, a 139 ERA+, and come in second behind Don Newcombe in both Cy Young and MVP voting. In 1965 the Dodgers are one-hit by Cubs pitcher Dick Ellsworth, but nevertheless win the game, 3-1 -- on a three-run homer by Al Ferrara in the eighth inning. In 1998 the unthinkable happened. The Dodgers traded their franchise catcher Mike Piazza and infielder Todd Zeile to the Marlins for Gary Sheffield, Bobby Bonilla, Charles Johnson, Jim Eisenreich and Manuel Barrios. This is when I knew the News Corp/Fox ownership of the Dodgers was a big mistake.
• Happy Birthday, Alex Verdugo, Jack Corcoran, Jimmy Wasdell, Al McBean, Brian Dozier, Bill North & Josh Beckett!

2020 Bowman 1st Edition -- The Dodgers Autographed Cards

A couple weeks ago Topps released their 2020 Bowman 1st Edition online exclusive cards and you can see pics of all the Dodgers' here. As you know, Topps' Bowman brand had been delayed due to COVID-19, so they quickly cobbled together the 1st Edition set to satisfy collector demand. It could only be purchase online, and they sold out very quickly.

This new brand includes a 150 card base set and an undisclosed number of autographed cards. So far, 32 different autographed cards have been unearthed -- including three Dodger prospects. They are Andy Pages (who had been recently tied to the not-completed Joc Pederson trade), Venezuelan 19-year old Leonel Valera and Cuban Omar Estévez. Check them out below. Go here for a complete checklist. It seems likely that more autographed card will be unveiled over the coming weeks. If any more Dodgers appear I will be sure to updated this post.

Of note, I am fairly certain that these autographed cards were originally slated to be inserted into packs of 2020 Bowman, but were diverted for this set. Additionally, all the autographed cards have a gold stamp emblazoned on the front, saying "1st Edition."

Bowman Chrome 1st Edition Autographs

#CPA-AP Andy Pages

Blog Kiosk: 5/13/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's an undated photograph, likely from the mid to late 60's, featuring Dodger Hall of Famers Roy Campanella and Jackie Robinson perusing through Jackie's book Baseball Has Done It (eBay auction link).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 the famous 'embrace that shook the baseball world' occurred at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. The Dodgers, facing the Reds for the first time this season at their home stadium, witness a barrage of racial slurs directed at Jackie Robinson. Team captain Pee Wee Reese, seeing this, engages with Jackie on the field and then put his arm around his shoulder, a gesture that stuns and silences the crowd (or so the story goes). In 1952 Vin Scully experienced something unbelievable. As a youth he dreamed of being a broadcaster. A classmate named Larry Miggins shared a similar dream with him, but he wanted to play Major League Baseball. So on this day Miggins, now a outfielder with the Cardinals, was at-bat with Vin Scully calling the game for the Dodgers in Brooklyn, and proceeded to hit his first career home run in front of his close friend (boxscore). Tom Verducci at Sports Illustrated wrote a bit about it here.

“Incredible, isn’t it?” Scully says. “I mean, really, absolutely incredible. And probably the toughest home run call that I ever had to call because I was a part of it. He hit the home run against Preacher Roe, I’m pretty sure. And I had to fight back tears. I called ‘home run,’ and then I just sat there with this big lump in my throat watching him run around the bases. I mean, how could that possibly happen?”

• Happy Birthday, Jimmy Archer, Carden Gillenwater, Don LeJohn, Bobby Valentine, Johnny Roseboro and John Ely!

Check out this Vintage Brooklyn Dodgers License Plate

Here's something new to me.

Featured is a vintage license plate topper that advertises Brooklyn as a future vacation spot. It includes a fantastic graphic of a loudmouthed umpire, the Brooklyn bridge, a batter and a palm tree (I think) with "Coney Island" written across it. "Dodgers" is also written in cursive, in the middle of the drawing.

BTW, it might be that the tree seen in the graphic is in reference to book -- 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.'  For those who don't know, this was a 1943 book by Betty Smith that uses a tree as a metaphor for the ability to thrive in an difficult environment.

There's a tree that grows in Brooklyn. Some people call it the Tree of Heaven. No matter where its seed falls, it makes a tree which struggles to reach the sky. It grows in boarded up lots and out of neglected rubbish heaps. It grows up out of cellar gratings. It is the only tree that grows out of cement. It grows lushly...survives without sun, water, and seemingly earth. It would be considered beautiful except that there are too many of it.
— A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Introduction

Unfortunately, the license plate is undated, but is clearly pre-1958 (the year the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles). It also measures 10" x 4 3/4".

This piece recently sold on eBay (auction link) for a hefty sum -- $177.50 -- so the marketplace recognized its scarcity right away.

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Blog Kiosk: 5/12/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a look at a mundane activity that happens in every clubhouse -- the manicuring of a Baseball uniform. Featured is Dodger coach Leo Durocher, circa 1961, having the sleeves on his shirt trimmed by a clubhouse attendant (eBay auction link)

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 Dodgers hurler Carl Erskine throws his second career no-hitter -- becoming the eighth Dodger to do so in their history. He blanked the New York Giants, 3-0 (boxscore), at Ebbets Field. In 1979 Saturday Night Live Weekend Update anchorman Bill Murray announced that lovable All-Star second baseman Chico Escuela (played by Garrett Morris) would quit baseball after Steve Garvey crushed a ball that hit Escuela in the crotch -- rendered him irreversibly infertile. In 2004 Alex Cora had his famous 18 pitch at-bat (including 14 consecutive fouls balls) at Dodger Stadium against Matt Clement of the Cubs that culminated in an unbelievable two-run home run.  You can watch this at-bat here. In 2015 Giancarlo Stanton owned Dodgers pitcher Mike Bolsinger when he become only the fourth player to hit a home run out of Dodger Stadium. Watch it here. Stanton's homer would prove to be the only run the Marlins would score (boxscore).
• Happy Birthday, Lave Cross, Dutch Henry, Rafael Bournigal & Adam Liberatore!