July 23rd, 2022 at 8:30 am 
by Ron Cervenka Thursday night was ‘Cody Bellinger Bobblehead Night’ at Dodger Stadium. And though the 27-year-old Scottsdale, AZ native and Dodgers fourth-round draft pick in 2013 out of Hamilton High School in Chandler, AZ went 0-for-3 at the plate, he had what would prove to be a huge walk in the bottom of the eighth inning that would open the door for his team’s exciting 9-6 come-from-behind win over the division-rival San Francisco Giants at a sold-out Dodger Stadium.
Friday night was not ‘Cody Bellinger Bobblehead Night’ at Dodger Stadium … but it was every bit ‘Cody Bellinger Night.’
On Friday night at Dodger Stadium, more specifically, ‘Fireworks Friday Night’ at Dodger Stadium, the 2017 National League Rookie of the Year, two-time All-Star, former Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner, former National League MVP, and 2018 NLCS MVP did not walk in the bottom of the eighth inning … but he did provide the fireworks.
With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the eighth, the to-that-point 0-for-3 Bellinger hit a 383-foot grand slam home run into the right field seats to break the tie and give the Dodgers a 5-1 win over The Hated Ones.
(Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)
“It feels great. Not gonna lie, it feels really good,” Bellinger said postgame about the seventh grand slam of his (now) seven-year MLB career. “It feels good to put the right swing on the ball and see the results.
“I’ve been seeing the ball well and staying within the zone and getting pitches to hit and just not doing what I want with them,” Belli added. “But, you know, that’s part of the game, so focusing on staying through the baseball and getting my ‘A-swing’ locked on those pitches.”
“I mean, this is a guy that’s a former MVP, so he knows the moments and he’s come out on top of moments, and you just got to keep running guys like that out there and believe that it’s going to turn,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts answered, when asked about Bellinger’s struggles at the plate to this point this season. “So this is something that might continue to build confidence. I’ve obviously shown my belief in him, his teammates [have], and so, it was just really good to see him come through.”
As you might expect, Bellinger returned to his position in center field for the top of the ninth to loud chants of “Co-Dy, Co-Dy, Co-Dy,” from excited Dodgers fans.
“Fans were calling for him, and he’s been grinding all year, so when you have those moments, you’ve got to enjoy them,” Roberts added. “And the fans have been, certainly, behind him. So to kind of give them a little love and acknowledgement, I think, was a good thing.”
‘Fireworks Friday Night’ at Dodger Stadium indeed.
Play Ball!
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Posted in 
Consistent results matter. Bellinger is just a tease, only occasionally showing the offense we fans have longed for since his 2017 – 2019 seasons. I will no longer buy-in to the brief glimpses of Cody’s potential. Color me skeptical of his infrequent offensive contributions, I have been fooled too many times. Until Cody consistently produces average (preferably above average) Major League offense, he is just another guy who was once a good ball player.
The Muncy madness needs to end.
I think Muncy’s torn UCL may be the root cause of his 2022 offensive problems — perhaps changing his swing to compensate for the injury that was not fully healed (Max and Dodgers may have made a poor decision by not having TJ surgery). His advanced stats (Fangraphs and Statcast) for 2022 are in line with previous years other than a significant increase in launch angle (more than 40% increase from his average LA during 2019-2021).
Nonetheless, Muncy’s lack of consistent offensive production has rendered him an offensive liability this season. Unless he returns to his previous offensive production, I doubt the Dodgers exercise his 2023 option
Just another guy who was once a good ball player, sad but very true.
Muncy showed signs of life on Sunday. Stay tuned…
I think Muncy and Belli will both be back next year. Chance to get back on the beam. Both must improve next yr.