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.

2020 Topps Chrome -- All the Dodger Cards

A couple of weeks back Topps released their Topps Chrome brand of Baseball cards, and I now have pics of all the Dodgers available in packs. Check them all out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base

#13 Max Muncy            #77 Cody Bellinger

Topps Project 2020 - Sandy Koufax by Sophia Chang - #204

The newest Sandy Koufax Topps Project 2020 card was created by Queens artist Sophia Chang. Per Nick Diunte at Forbes:

“Working on these cards, you're really seeing a piece of American culture,” she said.

BTW, you can watch Sophia chat with fellow Project 2020 artist Blake Jamieson on YouTube here.

2020 Topps T206 - Series 1 & 2 - All the Dodger Cards

Here's a look at all of the Dodgers found in the Topps online exclusive T206 set -- Series 1 & 2. As you may know, Topps first put out this flashback brand ten years ago and now they are back at it. It is being released in 10-card packs online and is priced at $14.99 each. A total of five series' will be sold, and I've got pics of the Dodgers found in Series 1 & 2. Check them all out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Series 1 Base

#29 Corey Seager     #45 Gavin Lux

2020 Topps Project 2020 -- Sandy Koufax by King Saladeen -- #181

The newest Sandy Koufax Project 2020 card is now available, and it was created by Philadelphia artist Raheem “King Saladeen” Johnson.

"My inspiration comes from a place so deep within that the only way to express it is through art."

2020 Topps Project 2020 -- Sandy Koufax by Keith Shore -- #162

This is the Keith Shore card from Topps Project 2020 set. Some might call it glorious. Others may lament that it's childish and sophomoric. I just look at it and can't help but smile...

Why, exactly? I dunno.

Yes, it looks amateurish. Tony Frye at Hero Habit called Shore's Project 2020 cards, "classic modern in that it is clearly digital but appears to be done on Windows 95." He also writes that, "his critics say that their children could do art just as well — we all know that’s not true, your kid’s horse drawing looks like a Rorschach test — while fans of his work enjoy the simple design, bright colors, and youthful qualities of each character he creates."

2020 Topps Series 2 -- All the Dodger Insert Cards

After a couple of weeks waffling around I finally have pics of most of the Dodger inserts found in packs of Topps flagship Series 2 cards. Check them out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Baseball Stars Autographs

#BSA-CK Clayton Kershaw         #BSA-GL Gavin Lux

2020 Topps Project 2020 -- Sandy Koufax by Ermsy -- #145

This Koufax card is wild.

The eighth Sandy Koufax Project 2020 card is now available and it was created by Paris based graffiti artist and graphic designer Ermsy. His work often re-imagines and deconstructs pop imagery and cartoon characters. Per Zio at The Hundreds:

“I love pop culture,” Ermsy explains, “and I love exploring it.” His graphic exploration of pop culture uses popular cartoons in the same way that graffiti writers use letters. “Using well-known characters provides me with a base point, a frame to work within,” he explains. “With graffiti, the idea is to pick some letters from the alphabet, then go crazy with them or do whatever you want. Everybody starts with the same base point, and that’s graffiti. My starting point is to use characters in my artwork.” From there, Ermsy transports the characters from their familiar cartoon universes and into his own topsy-turvy and smoke-filled world.

2020 Topps Clearly Authentic - All the Dodger Cards

Last week Topps released their 2020 Clearly Authentic brand of on-card signed acetate (plastic) Baseball cards, and I've got pics of all the Dodgers to share here. Check them all out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base Autographs

#CCA-GL Gavin Lux

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 Series 2 Baseball -- The Dodger Base Cards and Variations

Last week Topps released their second series of cards for their flagship Baseball card brand and I've got pics of all the Dodger base cards to share. Check them out below. I've also included all the known variations available. Go here for a complete checklist of the set.

Base

#381 Kyle Garlick           #416 Chris Taylor

2020 Topps Finest -- All the Dodgers'

Topps Finest is now here and pics of all the Dodgers' to share. Check them all out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base

#19 Brusdar Graterol              #29 Max Muncy

2020 Topps Diamond Icons -- Check Out the Dodger Cards

Here is a look at most of the Dodger cards available in packs of Topps 2020 Diamond Icons brand. As you know, this is a high-end premium product that will cost you over $2,000 for a single box of ten packs -- guaranteeing you nine autographed cards. So, these packs are not for the weary. Go here for a complete checklist.

Autographs

#AC-CKE Clayton Kershaw         #AC-GLU Gavin Lux

2020 Topps Project 2020 -- Sandy Koufax by Joshua Vides -- #125

The seventh Sandy Koufax Project 2020 card is now available and is was created by Southern California artist Joshua Vides. As you may know, he is known for his monochromatic hand-drawn line illustrations that have graced everything from sneakers to retail locations like Harrod's.

Go here to check it out and order the card from Topps online. A complete checklist of all the cards in the set can be found here. The reverse of the card is on the right. 

A few weeks back Topps released Vides' Jackie Robinson card. Directly below is a look at that card.

2020 Topps Tier One - The Dodger Cards

Last week saw the release of Topps 2020 Tier One Baseball card brand. This premium product will cost you about $150 for a box of three cards, and you are guaranteed that two of them will be autographed. Go here for a complete checklist.

There are plenty of Dodger youngsters available to chase after -- Dustin May, Gavin Lux and Will Smith. Veterans available include Max Muncy and Clayton Kershaw. BTW, there are a whole bunch of "1 of 1" cards in this brand, but unfortuantely I have not yet seen one Dodger rarity yet.

Break Out Autographs

#BOA-DM Dustin May        #BOA-DMA Dustin May

2020 Topps Project 2020 -- Sandy Koufax by Tyson Beck -- #99

Tyson Beck is an Australian graphic design artist who has taken the art and sports world by storm. He originally came on the scene as a young teen creating designs in various basketball forums. By 18 he was working for the Lakers designing wallpapers. Soon his career exploded. Companies and brands like Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, NBA, MLB, NHL, NFL, MLS and UFC came calling. More importantly, Kobe Bryant reached out to provide encouragement and inspiration. Via Ciaran Varley at BBC Sports:

"Kobe was the biggest influence on my career from start to finish," he says. "He was the first design I ever did when I opened up a computer."
...
"It was just a photo line, so everyone was pushing through," he says. "He started chatting to me and the security guard came over to pull me away. He stopped them. It was only a couple of minutes, but he kept asking me so many questions. 

"He was like: 'Dude, I'm running an agency now, I've seen your work, it's amazing - how are you working with every brand in the world?'"

2020 Topps Project 2020 -- Sandy Koufax by Naturel -- #89

Naturel, aka Lawrence Atoigue, has already made a big splash in Topps Project 2020 card set. His Jackie Robinson card (you can see it at the bottom) was one of the earliest cards available, so its print run was a significantly low 1,302 copies. Several weeks have passed bye since then, and the popularity of Project 2020 cards has seemingly increased exponentially. As a result, his Robinson base card (which originally sold for about $20) has just sold for a lofty $1,600 -- which quite frankly is outrageous.

There are all kind of theories as to why values have been skyrocketing. Is it a strange "pump & dump" scheme? Has Topps actually been successful at expanding the collector base -- by appealing to a subculture that has always had a tertiary interest in the hobby (street culture/sneakerheads)? And will this new collector base remain, or are they a flash in the pan? Has the recent pandemic finally caused American minds to go crazy -- to the point of latching on to our newest fad with reckless economic abandon?

2020 Topps Total - Wave 2 - All the Dodgers'

The second wave of Topps Total cards have now arrived and I've got pics of all of them to share here. Check them all out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Notably, a surprise Sandy Koufax card has arrived with this wave of cards. During the Wave 1 release Topps placed a special limited edition insert in packs that featured Ken Griffey Jr. This time around their special limited edition insert is of Sandy Koufax. From my understanding, only 100 of these cards are available.

Wave 2

#101 Gavin Lux

Blog Kiosk: 5/18/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here's an April 18, 1967 AP press photo featuring Sandy's return to Dodger Stadium -- after retiring from the game after last season (eBay auction link).

And on the Mound, Sandy Koufax -- Sandy Koufax, now a sports broadcaster for NBC, throws the opening "pitch" as the Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds opened the Los Angeles home season at Dodger Stadium tonight.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1929 the Brooklyn Dodgers out-slugged the Phillies, 20-16. Hilariously, Dodger hurler Ray Moss allowed ten earned runs and still recorded his first win of the season. In 1931 Dodger outfielder Babe Herman hits for the cycle against the Reds at Ebbets Field. Herman would hit his second cycle of the season on July 24th. In 1942 all night games in New York are banned for the duration of WWII. The city would not host a night game until 1946. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela finally loses, 4-0 (boxscore). It was against the Phillies. Valenzuela now has an 8-1 record to start the season.
• Happy Birthday, Bob Clark, Cy Barger, Don Lund & Eric Young!

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.