Cody Bellinger, the son of a Yankee, had his family with him in The Bronx this weekend — including his father, Clay.
Cody’s well on his way to his first All-Star appearance since his MVP season in 2019, and he said getting the chance to go again would be especially meaningful.
“It would absolutely be special,” Bellinger said. “I’m not gonna lie: To experience it with my kids, who I didn’t have the last time I made it, would be amazing.”
It’s part of what’s been a strong opening season to his new contract, as Bellinger has so far lived up to the five-year, $162.5 million deal he signed with the Yankees in the offseason.
He reached base twice and stole two bases in Sunday’s 4-1 loss to the Reds and is on pace for his best season since that ’19 season.
Of the six contracts signed this offseason by position players that could hit nine figures, Bellinger’s is arguably off to the best start.
He entered Sunday with the highest WAR among the group, which includes the Cubs’ Alex Bregman, Baltimore’s Pete Alonso, Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber and Bo Bichette of the Mets, as well as the player some wanted the Yankees to sign to take Bellinger’s spot in the outfield, Kyle Tucker.
Tucker is off to a very pedestrian beginning of his tenure with the Dodgers, as he entered Sunday with an OPS-plus of 100, which is league average.
Bellinger, meanwhile, has been valuable in the lineup, especially as the Yankees deal with injuries to key members of their roster — including Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
And it comes with Bellinger under the added spotlight of the pricey deal.
Bellinger said he’s aware of all of that.
“The contract definitely allowed me to take care of my family, but I still want to perform to my highest capability,” Bellinger said. “I want to outperform the contract. I want to honor it.”
That can be easier said than done.
Paul Goldschmidt understands the scrutiny, having signed a five-year, $130 million extension with the Cardinals in 2019.
“It’s all about your mindset,” Goldschmidt said. “There’s always gonna be pressure, whether you’re in high school or on the biggest stage. You want to live up to the contract, but you can’t let that be all-consuming. You just have to do your part and perform. You can tell it’s not too much for Cody. He’s the same guy no matter what.”
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Bellinger has seen his share of ups and downs, from bursting onto the scene as the NL Rookie of the Year in 2017 with the Dodgers, a solid second season in 2018, his 2019 MVP season and winning the 2020 World Series.
But Bellinger also injured his right shoulder and dealt with surgery the following offseason and had a miserable 2021 and ’22 with Los Angeles before being non-tendered following that last year with the Dodgers.
Two strong comeback years with the Cubs led to his trade to the Yankees in December 2024, and Bellinger hasn’t missed a beat in The Bronx.
“I definitely appreciate all of it,” Bellinger said. “So many people have helped get me to where I’m at now. I’m in a good spot and really just try to give it all I’ve got.”
