2020 Topps Now - Lux's Multi-Homer Evening - #232

Is this the turning point to Gavin's season?

Lux has had a poor start to 2020 -- first, not making the teams roster and batting below the Mendoza Line when he finally came up to Los Angeles. But last night he put up the kind an results that can lead to something good.

Prior to yesterdays game he was slashing a woeful .148/.258/.222/.480 in just eight games played. Now, after last nights three hit effort he is slashing a much improved .219/.324/.469/.793 while also walloping his first two homers of the season. And those two home runs were the difference in the Dodgers 10-9 extra inning victory over the Diamondbacks. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB,com:

Roberts said Lux is playing “much more like himself, much more free and easy.”

Hopefully, him settling down will lead to the kind of streak we saw him record in the minors just one year ago -- slashing an impressive .347/.421/.607/1.028 in the high minors.

2020 Topps Now - Dodgers Set Home Run Record - #183

You knew this card was coming.

On Sunday the Dodgers set a new National League record for home runs as a team for the month of August, so Topps issued a new Topps Now card to celebrate the achievement. Check it out above and below. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“It’s just a byproduct of swinging at good pitches,” manager Dave Roberts said after his team’s 7–2 win and another series victory. “I don’t know how well the ball’s carrying compared to the last couple years, but it’s amazing to see the talent we have in our lineup, really.”

2020 Topps Now -- Mookie, Kershaw and More

I am playing catch-up with some recently released Topps Now cards. First, there are two Dodger cards available right now, following their sweep of the Giants yesterday. After that, three additional cards had been released by Topps over the past week -- that I failed to write about -- so I'll share those at the bottom of this post.

First, Mookie Betts recorded his 1,000th career hit during the first game of yesterdays doubleheader. Check out the Topps Now card created by Topps above and below. Go here to check it out and order. Below is what's written on the reverse of the card.

The historic moments keep coming fot eh first-year Dodgers outfielder. Thursday evening saw Betts notch his 1,000th career hit in the midst of his seventh year in the Majors. Mookie singled in the sixth inning off Giants reliever Andrew Suarez during Los Angeles' 7-0 victory. The 27 year-old has collected five straight season of 150-plus hits.

2020 Topps Now -- Seager Brothers Each Hit Homers in 1st Career Matchup - #119

Last night the Seager brothers trotted out on the field to play each other for the first time in their careers, and their play didn't disappoint. They both had multiple hits, including home runs that no doubt impressed the other. Unfortunately for them, only one team can win the game. Per Alden Gonzalez at ESPN:

"You're still trying to win a game," (Corey) Seager said Monday, "but when you got around him, it was hard not to see your brother in the opponent."

2020 Topps Now - Keibert's Debut and Negro Leagues Anniversary - #114 & #116

Is Keibert Ruiz the future at catcher for the Dodgers?

Only time will tell, but for the moment he is the cat's meow. Yesterday afternoon he collecting his first career hit by whacking a solo home run in his first career at-bat. Hilariously, his teammates decided to have a little fun with him afterwards. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

Dugout ribbing about how “baseball's easy” could barely wait until Ruiz finished his first home run trot.

2020 Topps Now -- Mookie Betts Ties MLB Record - #102

You knew this card was coming.

Featured here is Mookie's 2020 Topps Now card celebrating his record tying feat last night. As you know, he hit three crushing home runs against the burgeoning Padres to tie a Major League record for three-homer games in a career at six (6) -- joining Johnny Mize and Sammy Sosa. With it still being so early in his career, Betts will no doubt break this record soon. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“Of course. I’m human,” said Betts. “But I work so hard, man, I work so hard to be successful. To see success, it’s a sigh of relief. But I’m hungry to be successful and I have that in my back pocket. I have to learn new pitchers, that will be the hardest part, but I’ll work my butt off to be the best I can be.”

2020 Topps Now -- Justin Turner's 1,000th Career Hit -- #90

Welcome to the 1,000 hit club, Justin!

As you surely know by now, Justin Turner reached 1,000 hits for his career last night. It came off a double in the second inning of the game. Unfortunately, his personal achievement would not lead to a Dodger victory. Nevertheless, I am sure it's a feat he never imagined accomplishing when he came to the Dodgers spring training came as an unsigned free agent in 2014. Per Alyson Footer at MLB.com:

“That's a big positive from tonight, and something Justin is and should be very proud of,” manager Dave Roberts said. “A lot of people along the way helped him, but no one more than himself. To reach that 1,000-hit milestone, considering where his career started, that's quite an accomplishment.”

2020 Topps Now - Kershaw's First Start of 2020 #46 & Mookie's Card from Saturday #38

Clayton Kershaw was outstanding during his 2020 debut, and for his efforts garnered a 2020 Topps Now card to celebrate the day. As you know, he was sidelined during his planned Opening Day start a couple of weeks ago, so seeing him on the mound was great to watch. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“I’ve done a lot of different things,” Kershaw said. “Gotten a lot of help from the training staff, strengthening and conditioning staff, working out, doing different things arm care-wise. There’s a lot of things, just threw everything at it and see what came out. I think the biggest thing is being healthy and feeling really good and moving well and just thankful for the arm feeling so good as it did today.”

2020 Topps Now - Edwin Rios' Leadoff Two-Run Homer in Extras - #34

Edwin's heroics last night earned him a 2020 Topps Now card. It celebrates a first in the game -- no doubt a future Baseball trivia question that is sure to stump fans many years in the future.

Edwin Rios became the first ballplayer in the games history to hit a leadoff two-run home run

It was also the eventual game winner for the Dodgers -- sweeping the Trashtro's in a short two-game series.

Blog Kiosk: 7/28/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

I just thought I'd share this photo that I saw on eBay. It's Don Drysdale (undated) leading a horse on a motorcycle. Below is what's written on the reverse:

Triumphant pitcher now can safely lead the costly jumper behind the bike, and thereby will save dozens of walking miles a week. Training process took about 15 minutes.

Photo above via an eBay listing. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1991 Montreal Expos hurler Dennis Martinez throws a perfect game against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, 2-0. This is the first no-hitter by an opposing pitcher in Dodger Stadium's history. In 2010 the Dodgers get outfielder Scott Podsednik from the Royals for Elisaul Pimentel and Lucas May. In 2014 the Dodgers received infielder Darwin Barney from the Cubs for minor leaguer Jonathan Martinez.
• Happy Birthday, Freddie Fitzsimmons & Walker Buehler! BTW, he starts tonight's game against the Astros.

2020 Topps Now -- MLB Opening Day Dodger Cards

The first Topps Now cards of the 2020 season are now available, and three of them are Dodger related. Card #1 features last nights league unifying peaceful protest that included ballplayers from the Yankees, Nationals, Giants and Dodgers -- kneeling respectfully (some of whom were clearly praying) before the flag. Go here to check it out and order.

2020 Topps Now - #ST04 - Extending Mookie Betts

This is by far my favorite Topps Now card, and I'm sure you know why.

Yesterday, we had an unexpected flurry of news come our way that had every Dodger fan in the country on the edge of their seats. We first heard in the early morning that the Dodgers and Betts were nearing an agreement (via a tweet from Lou Merloni), then a rush of confirmations came in -- initially started by Joel Sherman, via twitter:

A source described extension talks between Mookie Betts and the #Dodgers as "quite real." @LouMerloni reported that the sides were close on a deal of at least 10 years.

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 22, 2020

 And with that, the dreams of Red Sox Nation was thwarted. By mid afternoon an official announcement was made, and I swear I could hear folks celebrating in the distance.

Mookie Betts will be a Dodger for a long time... A very long time.

In honor of this massive signing Topps has issued a new 2020 Topps Now card to memorialize the event. Check it out above and below. Go here to check it out and order. Below is what's written on the reverse:

When the Dodgers acquired the 27-year-old Betts in a blockbuster trade back in February, they knew they had one year left on his contract before he could hit free agency. Wednesday's announcement ensured that they won't have to worry about that now or anytime soon. Mookie and the Dodgers agrees to a 12-year, $365-million-dollar contract extension that will keep him in Dodger blue through the 2032 season.

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2020 Topps Now - #ST-1 - Dodgers Introduce David Price and Mookie Betts

Here is card #1 from Topps 2020 Topps Now spring training edition of online exclusive cards, and it featured out two newest superstars -- David Price and Mookie Betts.

Oh, boy! I am excited to see them in Dodger Blue. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“We’ve had really talented teams in the past,” Friedman said. “I feel like this is quite possibly our most talented team, but also just a really good group of guys who we couldn’t feel more confident about them going out every night and competing and leaving it on the field.”

Go here to check it out and order. Below is what's written on the reverse:

David Price and Mookie Betts were introduced at Dodger Stadium as the enwest additions to the star-studded Los Angeles Dodgers. Price and Betts provide a wealth of experience to an already dominant Dodger team, both winning a World Series title with the Boston Red Sox in 2018.

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2020 Topps Now - First Dodger Cards of the Year - #65 to 69 - Biggest Trade of the Decade

These deals haven't even been officially announced yet. Nevertheless, Topps is making available several 2020 Topps Now cards to celebrate last night madness. As you know, five key players are changing ships, and the Dodgers are heavily involved in all of them.

First, the "big-get" is Mookie Betts. He is moving to Los Angeles to ply his trade in Dodger Blue. Featured above is the Topps Now card announcing the trade. Go here to check it out and order. Below is what's written on the reverse.

The Los Angeles Dodgers staked their claim as super team, acquiring elite outfielder Mookie Betts to add to an already formidable lineup. The 27-year-old star has been a perennial MVP candidate for the past four years, averaging 122 runs scored, 29 home runs and 24 stolen bases per season in that span.