‍Highlights:

• Inside the Candy Factory 
• Marketplace Highlights 
• MLB Watchlists

July 1st MLB Fun Fact: I, for one, have never experienced life without television. Especially television without advertisements! (the iPad kids would be shocked). But for the “few fans” (not my words) that were watching the Brooklyn Dodgers’ game on WNBT on July 1, 1941 witnessed a breakthrough in TV and advertising. The first ever TV commercial was aired right before the first pitch of that game: “America runs on Bulova time.” Look where we are now! TV commercials are regular, AppleTV and streaming are a thing and so are NFTs! Also I think if we all heard “American runs on…” the fill in the blank would be different. 

Division Standings

AL East: Yankees (56-21) {holy moly}

AL Central: Twins (43-36)

AL West: Astros (48-27)

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NL East: Mets (47-29) {subway series world series 🤔}

NL Central: Brewers (44-34)

NL West: Dodgers (47-28)

Inside the Candy Factory 🍭

The very first 2022 Play of the Day Collection Challenge is rolling out! Introducing Candy’s Play of the Day All-Star Collection Challenge. We are a couple of weeks away from the All-Star Break but we are starting the celebrations early; collect all Play of the Days in the month of July for players that make the All-Star roster to receive a 2022 All-Star Game Play of the Day! Full details can be found here. 

🔶Lineup 6 Legendaries (italicized have been pulled!):🔶

• Carlos Correa
  
  
• Austin Meadows
• Fernando Tatís Jr. 
• Robbie Ray 
• Corey Seager 
• Ozzie Albies 
• Trevor Story 
• Corbin Burnes 
• Javier Báez 
• Jesse Winker 
• Marcus Semien 
• Matt Chapman 
• Aroldis Chapman 
• Jacob deGrom 
• Kris Byrant

🔶Lineup 5 Legendaries (italicized have been pulled!):🔶

• Bo Bichette 
• Carlos Rodón 
• Kenley Jansen 

• Luis Castillo 
• José Ramírez
• Frankie Montas 
• Yordan Alvarez 
• Juan Soto 
• Matt Olson 
• Eloy Jiménez
• Clayton Kershaw 
• Starling Marte 
• Gerrit Cole 
• Kevin Gausman 
• Nick Castellanos 
• Freddie Freeman 

🔶Lineup 4 Legendaries (italicized have been pulled!):🔶

• Trent Grisham 
• Mookie Betts
• Ronald Acuña Jr. 
• Cedric Mullins 

• Rafael Devers 
• Tim Anderson 
• Lance Lynn 
• Lance McCullers Jr. 
• Freddy Peralta 
• Brandon Woodruff 
• Bryan Reynolds 
• Brandon Lowe 
• Teoscar Hernández
• Adolis García 
• Josh Hader 
• Zach Wheeler 

🔶Lineup 3 Legendaries (italicized have been pulled!):🔶

• Aaron Judge 
• J.D. Martinez 

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• Nolan Arenado 
• Salvador Perez 
• Walker Buehler 
• Chris Taylor 
• Manny Machado 
• Cody Bellinger 
• José Berríos
• Liam Hendriks 
• José Abreu
• J.T. Realmuto 
• Mitch Haniger 
• Charlie Morton 
• Luis Robert 

🔶Lineup 2 Legendaries (italicized have been pulled!):🔶

• Max Scherzer 
• Max Fried 
• Trea Turner 
• Shohei Ohtani 
• Max Muncy 
• Tyler O’Neill 

• Jose Altuve 
• Aaron Nola 
• Whit Merrifield 
• Xander Bogaerts 
• Kyle Hendricks 
• Jared Walsh 

‍🔶Lineup 1 Legendaries (italicized have been pulled!):🔶

• Byron Buxton
• Kyle Tucker 
• Julio Urías 
• Chris Sale 
• Christian Yelich 
• Jack Flaherty 
• Francisco Lindor 
• Jonathan India
• Austin Riley
• Alex Bregman
• Sandy Alcantara 
• Shane Bieber

• Bryce Harper 
• Giancarlo Stanton
• Anthony Rendon
• Mike Trout
• Wander Franco
• Randy Arozarena
• George Springer
• Justin Turner
• Pete Alonso
• Paul Goldschmidt
• Joe Musgrove
• Ketel Marte
• Lucas Giolito

💸Marketplace Movement 💸

• 2021 MLB ICON All-Star Chaser - $5,000
• Chris Taylor 2021 MLB ICON All-Star Legendary - $1,750
• Nick Lodolo 2021 MLB ICON Uncut Diamond - $1,500
• Jackie Robinson Silver Bust - $775
• Ronald Acuña Jr. 2021 MLB ICON All-Star Rare #8/60 - $749

Looks Inside the League

Play of the Day:

• 6/24: Freddie Freeman Returns to Atlanta 🥹

There are few videos on the internet that are as heartwarming as the one of Freedie Freeman returning to Truist Park (with the exception of Charlie Freeman running into Dansby Swanson’s arms.) The Dodgers traveled to Atlanta on Friday and it was evidently an emotional rollercoaster for Freeman. After 11 seasons and one World Series with the Braves, Freeman was welcomed back with open arms despite the jersey on his back. 

• 6/25: Houston Astros Throw a Combined No-Hitter 
• 6/26: Aaron Judge Walk-Off HR (yes, again) 🤝

If you don’t know the name from his size and stature, you know it from his 29 home runs this season. Aaron Judge has now saved the day on multiple occasions with walk-off hits and extending the Yankees home-game win streak. Judging by the fact that we’re not even at the All-Star Break yet, you can continue to rise. 

• 6/27: Oneil Cruz First HR of 2022
• 6/28: Vladdy Walks It Off 
• 6/29: Jonathan Davis Epic Diving Catch 🤿

Going, going, going NOT GONE! Jonathan Davis robs Acuña of an extra-base hit with Stranger Things Eleven like capabilities. Next time I need a hand, or maybe someone who would crash through a wall for me I know who to call. 

• 6/30: Justin Turner 2 HR Game 

Full List of 2022 POTDs

Congrats on the major league debuts of the week! 🎉

• Vinnie Pasquanito - Kansas City Royals 

Weekend Series Matchups:

Marlins @ Nationals 

Red Sox @ Cubs 

Rays @ Blue Jays 

Cardinals @ Phillies 

Braves @ Reds 

Brewers @ Pirates 

Royals @ Tigers 

Rangers @ Mets 

Yankees @ Guardians 

Diamondbacks @ Rockies 

Angels @ Astros 

Padres @ Dodgers 

Athletics @ Mariners 

White Sox @ Giants