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!