Dodgers notes: How Cody Bellinger got his first two career home run balls back

Source: www.ocregister.com --- Sunday, April 30, 2017
LOS ANGELES — Jennifer Bellinger can thank the Dodger Stadium security team for her second souvenir Baseball Saturday night. And her son, Cody, of course. Cody Bellinger hit the first two home runs of his career in the Dodgers’ 6-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. When he returned to the clubhouse after the game, soaked in sports beverage, the two balls were ready and authenticated. It isn’t unusual for a player to get his first home run ball back. Adrian Gonzalez hit his 13 years ago and kept the Baseball as a souvenir. Justin Turner’s parents have his first home run ball. Kiké Hernandez said he had to trade a bat and a ball to a fan in Houston in exchange for his. “What security normally does is they approach the fan to see what they’d like in exchange for that Baseball,” said Alex Torres, the Dodgers’ clubhouse manager. “A lot of times fans are, ‘OK, I’ll take a signed ball.’ Sometimes their expectations for what they can receive for a first milestone, it’s a little exaggerated. Most of the time they’re pretty good, especially with the Dodgers.” A player’s second home run is not as historic. Rarely does it fall to earth on the same day as the first. Getting the ball back usually isn’t a point of concern for a player, a clubhouse manager, or a ball boy – which was the case with Bellinger’s second home run Friday. Bellinger crushed the first pitch he saw from Hector Neris in the ninth inning off the right-field foul pole ...

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