Thursday, April 02, 2020

2020 Topps Now - Bracket Challenge - And Then There Were Two


The Topps Now Bracket Challenge is now down to eight and two Dodgers' are represented -- Cody Bellinger and Mookie Betts. As a result, a third round of Bracket Challenge cards have just been released. BTW, the previous round included future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw, but he was unable to upend Mets ace Jacob deGrom in online voting.

The first Dodger card available is of outfielder Cody Bellinger (#BB3-2). See his card above and to the right. He had to defeat Rockies third baseman Nolan ArenadoGo here to check it out and order. Unfortunately, he isn't likely to advance any further. His next round opponent is Mike Trout.

Blog Kiosk: 4/2/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends


Dated to Opening Day, April 17, 1934, here's a AP press photo featuring Dodger manager Casey Stengel shaking hands with Boston Braves skipper Bill McKechnie (eBay auction link).

BTW, the Brooklyn Dodgers won that afternoons contest, 8-7, on the back of homers by outfielders Danny Taylor and Hack Wilson and a complete game by Van Lingle Mungo.

Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers HistoryIn 1972 47-year old Dodger great Gil Hodges dies of an heart attack. In 2008 Dodgers coach Larry Bowa is ejected from the game for not staying within the boundaries of the coaching box. He is given a three-game suspension for "inappropriate and aggressive conduct," in which he had to be restrained by manager Joe Torre and bench coach Bob Schaefer. As background, Mike Coolbaugh, first base coach for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, was killed the year prior from a batted ball that struck him in the temple while coaching. You can watch the ejection here.
  • Happy BirthdayHughie "Ee-Yah" JenningsDon SuttonReggie Smith & Mike Kekich!