2019 Topps Now - Card of the Month for April - Cody Bellinger

Somehow I missed this card entirely. Several weeks back Topps issued this Cody Bellinger 2019 Topps Now "Card of the Month" card, but it wasn't available directly for sale online. Instead, it was awarded to collectors as part of a Topps Now Loyalty Program. Go here for more information.

The programs runs like any other rewards program -- qualified purchases garners the collector a certain number of points. For the Bellinger card collectors with enough points were invited to stake a claim and get the card. It has a print run of 1,197 copies. Below is what's written on the reverse:

Cody Bellinger's torrid start to the 2019 season is among the greatest in MLB history. The slugging outfielder has punished opposing pitchers to the tune of a [.434 batting average], [14 home runs], and [37 RBI], Bellinger's gaudy power numbers before May 1 [ties the MLB record for home runs] and set the League marks in total bases and runs batted in. Bellinger's fast start places him atop all of the Triple Crown categories.

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Blog Kiosk: 6/3/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I missed another 2019 Dodgers' Topps Now card released over the weekend. This time it is of rookie catcher Will Smith and it highlights his walk-off home run on Saturday. Check it out above and on the right. Per Sarah Wexler at MLB.com:

“That’s going to be a memorable homer for Will,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Man, you know, the first one is always a good one and memorable, but at home, packed house, a walk-off ... that was fun. That was a lot of fun.”
...
“That was awesome,” said Smith. “I mean, first walk-off I’ve ever had, first home run in the big leagues, couldn’t have asked for a bigger stage and a bigger moment. I’ll remember that forever.”

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1888 the first publication of Ernest L. Thayer's poem Casey at the Bat appears in the San Francisco Examiner.  In 1958 Los Angeles residents approved a referendum by a slim margin of 24,293 votes that would honor a contract negotiated between the City of Los Angeles and the Dodger to allow the city to sell 300 acres of Chavez Ravine to the Dodgers. In 1989 the Dodgers and Astros play a 22-inning game at the Astrodome that is the longest game in National League history -- it last seven hours and 14 minutes. The game featured Fernando Valenzuela playing first base and center fielder John Shelby going 0-for-10 at the plate. Unfortunately, the Dodgers lost 5-4 (boxscore)
• Happy Birthday, John Dobbs, Jim Gentile, Barry Lyons & Nelson Liriano!

2019 Topps Now -- #303 -- Masterful Ryu!

Following last nights 7 2/3 shutout innings Hyun-Jin Ryu now leads the league in ERA at 1.48, walks per nine innings at an astounding 0.616 and leads the National League in wins with eight. No doubt, he is headed towards his first All-Star Game appearance. To celebrate his performance last night Topps issued another 2019 Topps Now card of him. Check it out above and below. Go here to check it out and order.  More importantly, though I thought it would be best to share a pic he put up on Instagram this morning. On the right is Ryu with a #WinningMaskPack. -- I kid you not!

Below is what's written on the reverse.

For the 11th straight start to open the 2019 season, Hyun-Jin Ryu allowed two runs or fewer. The streak marks the first time since Ubaldo Jiminez in 2010 that a pitcher has begun a season with 11 such starts. Ryu stifled the New York Mets, allowing just four hits and zero runs in 7 2/3 inning pitched.

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Blog Kiosk: 5/31/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The great Ryu! He earned his eighth win of the season last by throwing 7.2 innings of shutout ball with seven strike outs, one walk and four hits allowed. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“This month of May is incredible,” Ryu said. “I’ve always told everyone I want to throw six, seven innings to put the team in a position to help the team win, but I haven’t always been able to do it. But this month of May I definitely was able to do it, and it’s unbelievable.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1937 the Brooklyn Dodgers ended Carl Hubbell's consecutive game winning streak at 24 (over two season) at the Polo Grounds by defeating the Giants, 10-3. In 1948 Tommy Lasorda, as a member of the Schenectady Blue Jays in the Phillies system, struck out 25 batters in a 15 inning game to defeat the Amsterdam Rugmakers. Lasorda has said that he likely threw more than 300 pitches that day. In 1965 the Dodgers, for the first time in history, field an all switch-hitting infield in the second game of a doubleheader against the Reds.  The players were Wes Parker, Jim Lefebvre, Maury Wills and Jim Gilliam. In 1968 Don Drysdale pitched his fifth consecutive shutout -- while on his way to breaking the scoreless innings streak. This is the game where a Giants batter was called out on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch since he was ruled to have not made an attempt to get out of the way of the pitch.
• Happy Birthday, George Smith, Kenny Lofton & Dave Roberts!

Phillies Series Starts Friday - Stadium Giveaways, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies on Alumni Weekend. Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand. Here are some important links:

• 2019 Broadcast Schedule
• Parking Information 
• Special Events Schedule
• Promotions & Giveaways Schedule
• Silent Auction Schedule 
• Friday Night Fireworks Schedule 
• Dodger Stadium Parking / Transportation 
• Dodger Stadium Express / LA Metro  

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Friday, May 31st at 7:10 PM

TV: SportsNet LA, SNLA Spanish

Radio: AM 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020

Weekend Autograph Opportunity: Max Muncy and Walker Buehler

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any), as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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