Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger heaped reward on Dodgers beginning pitcher Clayton Kershaw after the veteran introduced his retirement on the finish of the 2025 season.
Bellinger started his MLB profession with the Dodgers, serving as Kershaw’s teammate from 2017-22.
“He was a giant a part of that group and all our groups,’’ Bellinger mentioned. “The way in which he carries himself. I sat again, watched and realized: That is what it’s alleged to appear to be. When he took the ball each fifth day, he had a presence. He was the toughest working dude within the room. He had an unmatched work ethic.”
Extra information: Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Says Roki Sasaki ‘Appears to be like Like a Totally different Individual
The outfielder was implausible with the Dodgers by his first few seasons, successful NL Rookie of the 12 months in a landslide on the again of a 39 homer season. Two years later, Bellinger received an MVP in a 47-homer season. He led the Nationwide League in bWAR that season with 8.7 whereas posting an OPS of 1.035.
Bellinger was additionally part of the World Collection successful group in 2020, throughout which Kershaw took over to cowl Bellinger’s offensive struggles. Kershaw pitched twice through the Fall Basic within the shortened 2020 season, logging 11.2 innings whereas solely permitting three runs to cross throughout that stretch. He had 14 strikeouts in his two outings.
After a few seasons the place he hit beneath league common, nonetheless, the Dodgers non-tendered Bellinger, permitting him to signal with the Chicago Cubs for the 2023 season. He loved a bounce again yr in 2023, recording MVP votes for the primary time since he received the award in 2019, and has continued to provide at an above common stage away from LA.
Extra information: Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Doesn’t Rule Out Kirby Yates Returning in Postseason
Now on the New York Yankees, Bellinger has an actual probability to face his former group on the largest stage this postseason in what shall be his former teammate’s final dance.
Photograph Credit score: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports activities
Have you ever downloaded the brand new Dodgers Nation app but? Click on right here for Apple Customers and right here for Android Customers to be part of the redesigned app to offer followers every thing they want, multi function place. Don’t miss out on dwell GameCast with play-by-play, information and evaluation, Dodgers Nation podcasts and movies, all of the stats you need and extra!
