2020 Topps Project 2020 -- Jackie Robinson by Joshua Vides -- #98

Joshue Vides, known worldwide for his monochromatic hand-drawn line illustrations, is the fifth artist to tackle Jackie Robinson's 1952 Topps card. See it above.

Originally from Rialto, Vides began his career as a street culture influencer, artist and entrepreneur designer with the famed The Hundreds, while having his own brand called CLSC. But today's success came, like with a lot of folks in the scene, with sneakers -- Nike Air Jordan 1's to be exact. Per Mallory Chin at Hypebeast:

But it wasn’t until Vides posted a pair of hand-painted Air Jordan 1s on his IG that his phone quickly blew up. “I posted those shoes near the end of the day. As soon as I woke up I had all these new followers and mentions; all my friends were hitting me up,” Vides says excitedly. But how does he feel to be called a “professional” artist now? “I’ve studied art for a long time and I like crafting things with my hands. I’m really good at building things and molding things with clay. I put up a pair of shoes on social media and it just blows up,” Vides states. “My mom was like, ‘you’ve been doing this all your life and now people are calling you an artist?’”

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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Blog Kiosk: 6/1/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fun photo that is currently available on auction through RMY (link here). It features what looks like the entire Brooklyn team surrounding the piano, while singing a tune. Skipper Burt Shotton is on the piano bench and Jackie Robinson is on the far right -- standing behind Duke Snider. Unfortunately, the pic isn't dated, but it's thought to be from the 1947 season -- primarily because Shotton was known to not wear the typically manager uniform when he managed the club that year.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1955 the Brooklyn Dodgers set a franchise record when they hit six home runs in a game during their victory over the Milwaukee Braves at Ebbets Field. Duke Snider hit three homers in the contest (becoming the first Dodger to do it twice), to go along with home runs by Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese and Roy Campanella. In 1962 Don Drysdale defeated the Philadelphia Phillies for the 13th consecutive time - a streak that began in 1958. I remember this next incident so well. In 1997 Wilton Guerrero shattered his bat during an at-bat and immediately scrambled to pick up the bat pieces instead of running to first base. Obviously, home plate umpire Steve Ripley got suspicious and subsequently searched the remains. Ripley found cork, ejected Guerrero and then the league suspended for eight games.
• Happy Birthday, Otto Miller, Ty Tyson, Ray Moore, Chuck Templeton, Ken McMullen & Derek Lowe!

Blog Kiosk: 5/29/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

I have no idea what's going on in the photo above, and neither does the seller on eBay (auction link). It is unmarked and undated. Featured is a vintage B&W photograph, possibly a press photo, showing Gil Hodges, Don Drysdale, Johnny Podres and Pee Wee Reese in their Sunday best.

These Dodgers' appear to be having a good time -- as Podres playfully pushes Reese against the wall, like he's about to get frisked. Or maybe, they are in the midst of a conga line, with Pee Wee leading the pack astray -- right into a wall.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1905, according to legend, Dodger hurler Elmer Stricklett introduces Baseball to the spitball -- beating the Giants, 4-3. Of course, this is a bunch of mumbo-jumbo. Although, many do credit Stricklett with being one of the first to use it -- having built a reputation for throwing the pitch much earlier in his career on the west coast. In 1957 tough-talking New York Mayor Robert Wagner, following the leagues announcement allowing the Dodgers and Giants to leave New York, states that the city will not be "blackjacked" into doing a deal. In 1980 Dodgers starter Bob Welch throws a one-hit shutout to defeat the Braves, 3-0. He faced the minimum of 27 batters in the game. In 1983 Dodger reliever Steve Howe is readmitted to a drug treatment center after suffering a relapse from his cocaine addiction.
• Happy Birthday, Phil Gallivan, John Kennedy, Eric Davis, Trever Miller & Jerry Hairston!

2020 Panini Select Baseball -- All the Dodger Inserts

Here is a look at all of the Dodger inserts cards available in packs of Panini's 2020 Select Baseball brand. Go here for a complete checklist.

There are a ton of prospects here; including five Gavin lux cards -- two of which are autographed. Other rising stars include Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May and Keibert Ruiz. There is also another Mookie Betts cards, but it once again shows him wearing Boston Red Sox gear.

Signatures

#S-CS Corey Seager

Blog Kiosk: 5/28/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this vintage NEA press panoramic photograph featuring several Major League ballplayers wearing mask while playing a barnstorming game in California, dated February 10, 1919 (RMY Auctions). Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Masked Ball Game, Pasadena, Cal. -- The first baseball game in which the players, umpire and spectators wore "flu" mask was played when the Pasadena and Standard Murphy clubs clashed at Pasadena. The game went 11 innings and not once during the time did any of the players remove the masks. The rooting of the fans and their "kill the umpire" cry was somewhat muffled by the gauze masks, but otherwise they appeared to enjoy the contest. Our photo shows the masked marvels, left to right: Truck Hannah, NY Am., C; Doc Crandall, Boston Nat., P; Chick Gandil, Chi Sox, 1st; Art Griggs, Det. Am, 2nd; Fred McMullen, Chi Sox, 3rd; Olie Olsen, Brooklyn Nat., LF; Carl Sawyer, NY Amer., SS; George Cutshaw, Pitt Nat., 2nd; Bill Piercy, NY Am., P; Buster Crandel, Mascot.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1957 the NL officially approves the move of the Dodgers and Giants to the West Coast, provided both clubs make their request before October 1 and move at the same time. This effectively allowed both clubs to start negotiating with potential host cities. In 1962 Don Newcombe signs a contract to play for the Chunichi Dragons of the Japanese Central League. In 2001 Dodger catcher Paul Lo Duca has a big day. He goes 6-for-6 to lead the Dodgers during an 11-10 (boxscore) win over the Rockies. He records five singles, a three-run home run and four RBI. In 2011 a small fire in a nearby storage area in the Reserve seats at Dodger Stadium forces the evacuation of fans of that section during a game between the Dodgers and Marlins. The fire is controlled quickly and they do not need to evacuate the entire stadium.
• Happy Birthday, Rafael Landestoy, Kirk Gibson & Cory Wade!