NEW YORK — Cody Bellinger has fond memories linked to the historic Yankee Stadium from his childhood when his father, Clay Bellinger, was a part of the celebrated Yankees teams that secured the World Series title in 1999 and 2000. He reminisced about special moments watching games as a young boy. “I remember the playroom for kids that I would visit during games,” he recounted on Thursday, shortly after the Yankees finalized a deal to acquire him from the Chicago Cubs. “My mom did a great job filming everything, and we frequently revisited old footage, allowing me to recall what was happening when I was around 5 or 6 years old.”
Cody’s connection to baseball extends beyond just watching; he also recalls his days as a bat boy when his father played in the minor leagues. “I loved being the bat boy,” he said, “It was an incredible experience to run out on the field, collect the players’ bats, and participate in batting practice.” Now with the Yankees, Bellinger is expected to take on roles as an outfielder or first baseman. The Yankees are in the midst of reworking their roster following the recent loss of Juan Soto to the Mets, and have bolstered their pitching staff with the addition of left-hander Max Fried and closer Devin Williams.
Clay Bellinger, who played as an outfielder and infielder for the Yankees from 1999 to 2001, ended his major league career with the Anaheim Angels in 2002. He made a memorable play during the 2000 World Series when he caught a notable drive from Todd Zeile off Mariano Rivera at the left-field wall. Reflecting on the recent news of his trade, Cody shared, “It’s pretty surreal. When I called my dad, he was thrilled. He acts calm about it, but I can tell he’s genuinely excited.”
Cody Bellinger achieved significant success in 2019, earning the National League MVP award with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he posted impressive stats with a .305 average, 47 home runs, and 115 RBIs along with a 1.035 OPS. However, the following three seasons proved challenging, plagued by injuries that sidelined him in 2021. After being released post-2022 season, he landed a one-year, $17.5 million deal with the Cubs.
During his time with Chicago, Bellinger had a standout season, hitting a career-high .307 with 29 homers and 97 RBIs. This performance garnered him another chance at free agency, leading to an $80 million, three-year contract signed in late February, which includes opt-out clauses for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. This year, he averaged .266 with 18 homers and 78 RBIs across 130 games but faced a setback when he sustained a broken right rib. The Cubs traded Bellinger, now 29, with $52.5 million on his contract, agreeing to contribute $5 million towards it for the Yankees.
Should the Yankees pursue a first baseman, Bellinger could be shifted to center field, allowing for a lineup featuring Aaron Judge in right field and Jasson Domínguez in left, or vice versa. After learning the art of versatility from former Dodgers teammate Kiké Hernández, Bellinger has assured manager Aaron Boone of his adaptability. “I let him know that I’m open to playing wherever I’m needed—left, center, or even first base. It’s what I enjoy, and I believe it enhances the team’s chances of success,” he stated.
As a left-handed hitter, Bellinger is likely to thrive with the dimensions of Yankee Stadium, especially since there will be 87 games played under these conditions due to Tampa Bay’s relocation to Steinbrenner Field for their home games. Bellinger has only played three games at the Bronx venue, during which he went 3 for 10, including a home run against Carlos Rodón that reached the second deck in right field during July 2023. “The opportunity excites me,” he concluded.