Blog Kiosk: 9/15/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

I missed this recent release from Topps yesterday. Featured here is a Topps 2020 Turn Back the Clock online exclusive card made available yesterday, and it celebrates Clayton Kershaw's complete game shutout ten-years ago. Per the description on the reverse:

September 14, 2010 -- In a game where the Dodgers only mustered one run, 22-year-old Clayton Kershaw gave the team a much needed dominant performance. The left-hander fired a complete-game shutout. allowing just four hits and leading the Dodgers to a tight, 1-0 victory over the division-rival Giants.

BTW, this Kershaw win was his first career shutout and complete game. Check out the boxscore here. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1946 the second game of a doubleheader between the Dodgers and Cubs at Ebbets Field is postponed during the fifth inning due to a giant swarm of gnats attacking the field and players and the coming evening darkness. In 1978 the home attendance at Dodger Stadium of 47,188 fans marks the first time in Major League history that a team has drawn more the three million rooters during a season at home.
• Happy Birthday, Doc Bushong, Bud Clancy, Fritz Ostermueller, Charley Smith & Jim Barbieri!

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.

Topps Project 2020 - Sandy Koufax by Grotesk - #230

The Sandy Koufax Grotesk Project 2020 card is now available through Topps and it follows a similar minimalist design he used for the Jackie Robinson card released just a couple of weeks back -- check out that card on the left.

Grotesk uses a pictograph of two persons holding up a portrait of the ballplayer -- while using a font resembling Hebrew writing. No doubt an homage to Sandy's Jewish heritage.

The graphic design itself is reminiscent of a poster you might see in a bus stop or train/subway station. It's approachable and simple, while at the same time emphasizes that this person is to be honored and respected.

Thank You, Ross Stripling!

I think we all knew this day was going to come.

Yesterday afternoon came word that the Dodgers had dealt right-handed pitcher Ross Stripling to the Toronto Blue Jays for two players to be named later -- one of which we now know is 20-year old right-handed pitching prospect Kendall Williams (more on him later).

As you'll recall, Stripling had seemingly been traded to the crosstown Angels (along with Joc Pederson) over the winter, but that was thwarted by the Anaheim ownership -- for whatever reason. Now, we get to see a trade that allows us to gain a couple of prospects. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“We have a ton of professional and personal respect for Ross and believe that he is a Major League starting pitcher and ultimately didn’t feel comfortable putting him in the bullpen, especially when, as we look out to next Spring Training, we felt like it was going to be difficult then as well,” Friedman said. “So, as much as he’s helped us through the years, we felt like it was in everyone’s best interest with just the depth that we have right now and also caring about him.”

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.”

Blog Kiosk: 8/31/2020 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

It was Jackie Robinson weekend. As you know, ballplayers throughout the league wore #42 to honor the great Dodger. Take a look at the cap the Dodgers wore on the right, via Chris Creamer at Sportslogos.net.

BTW, this weekend was not entirely celebratory. Chadwick Boseman, the fantastic actor who played Jackie in the 2013 film ‘42,’ died of colon cancer at the age of 43 on Friday -- on Jackie Robinson Day.

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1950 Gil Hodges became the fourth Major Leaguer to hit four home runs in one game. It was against the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field. Overall, he went 5-for-6 with nine RBI's, five runs scored and 17 total bases. In 1959 Sandy Koufax set a new National League record when he fanned 18 Giants during a nine inning game at the LA Coliseum. It also tied the Major League mark for strike outs, and set a new Major League record with 31 total strike outs over two consecutive games (he struck out 13 Phillies his last time out). In 1985 the Dodgers got Bill Madlock from the Pirates for RJ Reynolds, Cecil Espy and Sid Bream. In 2006 the Dodgers received veteran Marlon Anderson from the Nationals for pitching prospect Jhonny Nunez. Anderson would have a stellar couple of months in Dodger Blue. He slashed .375/.431/.813/1.243 with seven homers, 15 RBI's and 12 runs scored. In 2009 the Dodgers received starting pitcher Jon Garland from the Diamondbacks for infield prospect Tony Abreu. Garland would get six starts -- going 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA.
• Happy Birthday, Duke Farrell, Ray Berres, Ira Hutchinson, Frank Robinson, Cleo James, Jack Perconte, Tom Candiotti, Mike Hartley, Hideo Nomo & Juan Nicasio!