Bellinger belongs to another era

Dodgers' rookie Cody Bellinger hit two home runs tonight, pacing Los Angeles to a 7-5 win over Cleveland and putting the Dodgers into a first place tie with Colorado.

Bellinger's offensive explosion backed up a seven-inning, six-hit, two-run performance by Clayton Kershaw, improving his record to 9-2 on a night when he didn't have his best stuff.

Bellinger's second dinger was his 17th. He is making a serious case to be Rookie of the Year, an honor that went to shortstop Corey Seager a year ago.

Bellinger, at 6-4 and 210, is long and lean and moves gracefully. He reminds me of Joe DiMaggio, a Yankee great from another era.

Bellinger wears his hat with a slight tip to one side and when I see images of him in the dugout he reminds me of the players from the old days.

Bellinger seems out of place in 2017, except for when he takes the field. His sweet, arcing swing is reminiscent of DiMaggio, though the Yankee great hit from the right side.

If the rookie from Arizona keeps this up the comparisons to the greats of the game will expand to his performance between the lines and not just his appearance.