2020 Topps Now 'Turn Back the Clock' -- Sandy Koukax's First No-No

Today's Topps Turn Back the Clock online exclusive card should be of no surprise. It features a legendary Dodger doing something legendary.

On this date in 1962 Sandy Koufax threw his very first no-hitter. It was against the Mets, and from the get-go he dominated. What I mean by that is he let it be known during the first inning that he would be unhittable. Per Marc Z. Aaron at SABR:

Koufax (10-4, 2.48 ERA) did not waste any time in getting down to business. Nine pitches were all he needed to set down the first three Mets hitters — Richie Ashburn, Rod Kanehl, and Felix Mantilla — on strikes. Mantilla took his looking. You could have heard each of them muttering some expletives as they left the batter’s box. As Koufax walked to the dugout, he received a standing ovation from the fans behind the Dodgers dugout. Mets third-base coach Solly Hemus was good-naturedly needling Koufax, yelling, “It isn’t really that easy, is it?” Koufax could be heard responding, “No, it surely isn’t.”

2020 Topps Big League Baseball -- All the Dodger Cards

A couple of weeks back Topps released their Big League Baseball brand -- a less pricey alternative for cost conscious collectors. A box of 18 packs will run you about $30 to $40. Additionally, they have created a Collector Box that includes exclusive Super7 MLB figures (think Star Wars-like figurines) and only five packs of cards. Go here for a complete checklist.

The Super7 MLB figures might be the coolest innovation in years. They are basically action figures of your favorite ballplayers. The Dodgers' available are Clayton Kershaw and Cody Bellinger. You can see pics of them at the very bottom of this post.

Base

#23 Walker Buehler          #43 Cody Bellinger

Blog Kiosk: 6/30/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Casey was always a ham. Per the UPI Telephoto descriptor (eBay auction link):

7/24/65 - New York: Casey Stengel, whose third love (behind wife, Edna, and Baseball) must be posing for photographers, gets off wink number umpteen during Old Timers Day festivities at Shea Stadium 7/24. He's wearing an old Brooklyn Dodgers cap for the occasion. Casey celebrates his 75th birthday 7/30.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1962 Sandy Koufax had one of the best days of his career. He started off that evenings game at Dodger Stadium by throwing an Immaculate Inning during the first inning - striking out three batters on nine pitches. Then finished his day by completing his first career no-hitter against the hapless Mets, 5-0. In 1985 Pedro Guerrero slammed his 15th home run during the month of June - setting a major league record.  
• Happy Birthday, Blake Treinen, Pat Venditte, Johnny Miljus, Johnny Hudson, Mark Grudzielanek, Garret Anderson, Chan Ho Park, Mike Judd & Delwyn Young!