BALTIMORE — 3 times in his first 4 seasons within the majors, Cody Bellinger reached the World Sequence. In 2020, he was a part of a Dodgers staff that gained the title.
He credit Clayton Kershaw — who introduced Thursday he would retire following this season — as a key motive the Dodgers had a lot success throughout that span.
“He was a giant a part of that staff and all our groups,’’ Bellinger stated earlier than the Yankees’ 7-0 victory Thursday over the Orioles at Camden Yards. “The way in which he carries himself. I sat again, watched and discovered: That is what it’s imagined to seem like. 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.”
Bellinger, who went 0-for-3 with a two walks and two runs scored, has taken that with him within the different spots in his profession, first with the Cubs, the place he spent two seasons after six years in Los Angeles, after which this yr, his first in The Bronx.
Within the midst of his greatest yr since his 2019 Nationwide League MVP season, Bellinger has been a vital a part of the Yankees being in place to get again to the postseason.
“This is the reason I wished to return right here,’’ Bellinger stated of the Yankees, the place he arrived in a commerce from the Cubs within the offseason and has outplayed his substitute in Chicago, Kyle Tucker. “With the ability to get into the playoffs is essential. It’s enjoyable. It’s why you play the sport.”
Bellinger has delivered the whole lot the Yankees may have requested for after they shipped Cody Poteet to Chicago in change for the lefty-swinger after Juan Soto left for the Mets and their $765 million.
The 30-year-old Bellinger has been a fixture within the lineup, taking part in all three outfield positions properly and likewise filling in at first base when wanted.
And his 1.034 OPS towards left-handed pitching is third-best within the majors, behind solely teammates Aaron Choose and Paul Goldschmidt — each right-handed hitters.
He’s additionally on tempo to look in additional video games than in any season since ’19, when he performed in 156 video games.
That’s led to probably the most homers, RBIs and walks since 2019, as properly.
However after lacking the playoffs in each of his seasons in Chicago — regardless of stable numbers on the plate — Bellinger’s focus is simply on profitable video games this time of yr.
“To be taking part in significant video games in September, that’s all you may ask for,’’ Bellinger stated. “That’s one thing I’ve identified for a very long time.”
And the Yankees are set as much as do much more.
“We have now one objective and that’s to win the World Sequence,’’ stated Bellinger, whose father, Clay, was a part of two title-winning groups in The Bronx, in 1999 and 2000. “I do know that’s the objective of plenty of groups, however I like what we now have occurring on this locker room. Now’s the time to show it.”
