BALTIMORE — Three instances in his first 4 seasons in the majors, Cody Bellinger reached the World Series. In 2020, he was half of a Dodgers team that won the title.
He credit Clayton Kershaw — who announced Thursday he would retire following this season — as a key purpose the Dodgers had so much success during that span.
“He was a big part of that team and all our teams,’’ Bellinger said before the Yankees’ 7-0 victory Thursday over the Orioles at Camden Yards. “The way he carries himself. I sat back, watched and learned: This is what it’s supposed to look like. When he took the ball every fifth day, he had a presence. He was the hardest working dude in the room. He had an unmatched work ethic.”
Austin Wells (28) celebrates with Cody Bellinger (35) after scoring a run during the seventh inning of the Yankees’ 7-0 blowout win over the Orioles on Sept. 18, 2025. Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Bellinger, who went 0-for-3 with a two walks and two runs scored, has taken that with him in the other spots in his profession, first with the Cubs, where he spent two seasons after six years in Los Angeles, and then this 12 months, his first in The Bronx.
In the midst of his greatest 12 months since his 2019 National League MVP season, Bellinger has been a essential half of the Yankees being in place to get back to the postseason.
“This is why I wanted to come here,’’ Bellinger said of the Yankees, where he arrived in a trade from the Cubs in the offseason and has outplayed his replacement in Chicago, Kyle Tucker. “Being able to get into the playoffs is very important. It’s fun. It’s why you play the game.”
Bellinger has delivered everything the Yankees could have requested for when 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 in the lineup, enjoying all three outfield positions nicely and also filling in at first base when wanted.
Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw announced Thursday that he will be retiring at the finish of the season. Getty Images
And his 1.034 OPS against left-handed pitching is third-best in the majors, behind only teammates Aaron Judge and Paul Goldschmidt — both right-handed hitters.
He’s also on tempo to seem in more video games than in any season since ’19, when he performed in 156 video games.
That’s led to the most homers, RBIs and walks since 2019, as nicely.
But after lacking the playoffs in both of his seasons in Chicago — despite stable numbers at the plate — Bellinger’s focus is just on successful video games this time of 12 months.
“To be playing meaningful games in September, that’s all you can ask for,’’ Bellinger said. “That’s something I’ve known for a long time.”
And the Yankees are set up to do even more.
“We have one goal and that’s to win the World Series,’’ said Bellinger, whose father, Clay, was part of two title-winning teams in The Bronx, in 1999 and 2000. “I know that’s the goal of a lot of teams, but I like what we have going on in this locker room. Now’s the time to prove it.”
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