New Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger will swing in a spring training Q&A with postcolumnist Steve Selby.
Q: It is quoted as saying, “I know what I can do when I'm healthy.” What can you do when you're healthy?
A: I've shown it many times in this game. My skill set, you know, it's dynamic, it's offense, it's defense, it's base running, it's everything I can do. I really can do everything well on the baseball field. So I wake up every day and introduce it to you. I get very annoyed with myself when I'm not showing or can't.
Q: Do you feel like you haven't come for you yet?
A: I can be honest. I feel really good about where I am. I am very confident in my abilities right now. I feel like my body and everything is in a good place. I'm excited to continue doing it and I feel good.
Q: 2019 NL MVP season with the Dodgers. Did you feel like you were in the zone all year round?
A: I was zoned for a long time. In contrast to what I know, I've almost got to the point where I've been doing it. Honestly, it's the best place, you don't think you're just doing it. Throughout those years of ups and downs, I learned a lot about myself as a baseball player and as a man. I am confident in my abilities. That's the type of player I want to be every year. That's the type of guy I strive for.
Q: Can I get closer to replicate that season?
A: Yeah, I definitely think that's possible. Like I said, I'm healthy, I'm still really young [29]I'm stronger than I was back then. I argue that it's the same speed. …I think that's possible.
Q: What drives you?
A: I want to be great. I want to know which abilities I have in this game and introduce them to the best of my abilities.
Q: Explain your immediate feelings about winning the 2020 World Series with the Dodgers.
A: It's pure joy. The postseason is full of emotions. You've been going through so many ups and downs, so when you put that final, it's a feeling you really can't explain – just effort, and the blood, sweat, tears you put into the season. The reason you exercise, the reason you train and the reason you crush is to win the World Series.
Q: How do you approach your World Series or Bust expectations?
A: I think that's everything. As a player, I think that's all you can ask for. Just playing this game will win the World Series and have a parade at the end. And the rest is a failure. Being in that position is a blessing. No one wants more than a New York parade, the best place in the world.
Q: What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome?
A: My failure after the World Series due to several injuries – I lost myself, lost my swing, lost my confidence. Become strong and allow athletic abilities to be handed over in the game.
Q: When you lose confidence, how lonely or empty are you feeling?
A: Oh yeah, that's very lonely. You feel you are the only person experiencing it, and in reality, at some point everyone experiences adversity in some way and when I get hurt, mine comes And I was dealing with the injury. It was when I had to deal with adversity well, so it came out on top of that, and it was a great feeling and nothing more.
Q: How did you overcome it?
A: I have so many wonderful people in my circle, my family, my wife, my friends who support me. Many of them were spiritual. …I mean, my body was just moving differently, so much of it was physical at some point. It's the process of regaining it. It's a difficult game when you're 100% healthy and full of failure, so when you're pounded, it kind of stacks. A few years later, I find the reason why I got better and continue fighting like hell to get back to where I am.
Q: Was there any sports psychologists who helped with that?
A: I'm not necessarily a sports psychologist. I hear golfers talk a lot about injuries and losing swings, but they're very open about it. And it feels like our baseball players aren't as open as they are. These golfers said, “Yeah, I lost my swing, I lost my confidence, it's not the same.” … And a year or two later, they won the majors again, and then they mastered has been acquired. It's the same thing in baseball. So, you lose confidence just by losing your swing and have to fight like hell to get it back.
Q: I won the Cubs of the Year Award in 2023. How happy was it for you?
A: It was just a fun year. It felt like my body was in a really good position, strength was there, and my swing was consistently there. I feel very consistent and I love to feel consistent. The consistency of this game is enormous.
Q: Please explain the aura around the New York Yankees.
A: When I wear my uniform and see the logo roam around, I can feel the history and the energy. When you wear a uniform, you just feel what all great players felt, and it's a special and special feeling.
Q: What did you learn about Judge Aaron during the 2017 Home Run Derby?
A: (laughs) I didn't have the opportunity to win. It was great, it was a great experience. In other words, he's just different. He's different.
Q: I played against Max Fried.
A: I only have a few singles from him. He's a guy who's difficult to hit slugs. …1) He obviously throws very hard. The ball is in the mitt really fast. 2) He has a five-pitch mix that he can throw for a strike. He makes it really difficult to turn off your “A” swing.
Q: Devin Williams.
A: Two plus pitches, everyone talks about his ChangeUp, but the fastball is also really good, so obviously he makes his ChangeUp the same.
Q: Assume you are happy to have a Gerrit Call on your side now.
A: Of course. I haven't had much success with him either (laughs).
Q: What was your first impression of Aaron Boone?
A: He is very knowledgeable about the game. What stands out most from me is his leadership and his ability to lead the room and lead the baseball club.
Q: “The Martian,” explain Jasson Domínguez.
A: Talent is through the roof. Both sides of his plate are really, really good. It's really efficient and really powerful. Free-athlete. The sky is his limit.
Q: Anthony Volpe.
A: Very mature. The glove speaks for itself. I was actually very impressed with the bats. This game is tough, we all make adjustments as we go and he has a lot of juice on that bat. I expect good things from him.
Q: Please explain what you've been playing with Yankee Stadium for the first time.
A: It was actually 2023. When you're in the Yankees, when you're in the Yankees, who comes to Yankee Stadium, or when you play against the Yankees, they're the name and history, and we're appearing in the “A” game for our guys in this locker room We've arrived.
Q: What do you think about the right field pouch?
A: Yeah, I think I understand that it's there, but I know that stays in yourself, stays in baseball and pulls the ball with a good swing. The second you try to pull the ball, that's when things become a little obscure and a little rough.
Q: Your father, Clay, was a Yankees player. Explain how he affects you.
A: He was everything, man. Obviously, he grew up in a locker room, is a bat boy and then has a cage in his backyard. He was always available and always taught me baseball. I loved it growing.
Q: Did your father tell you about Derek Jeter?
A: The Yankees were the team that called him after thinking it was 11, 12 or 13 in the minor leagues that ultimately gave him a shot that changed the dynamics of our family. . He made some money, won [two] The World Series rang, and I stayed in Arizona and developed a pretty good lifestyle as a child.
Q: What did he teach about Jeter?
A: Everything talks about Jeter, how he carries himself. He's the captain and when the team needs something to accomplish, it seems Jeter is delivering by a guy. He had this insane clutch gene to try and make every player do his best.
Q: Please explain the opposite field home run in the 2007 Little League World Series.
A: (laughs) Hell, yeah! It's a good swing right there! The experience was amazing.
Q: How do you summarise paternity?
A: I'm having a lot of fun. It's pretty cool to see two kids [Caiden, 3 ¹/₂, and Cy, 2 in April] Your own mini version, and you see a lot of yourself in your little ones. I mean, guys, they're so innocent and so pure…and that's the cutest thing in the world.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: When I was a kid, it was all “Transformers” movies.
Q: What's your favorite actor?
A: Mark Wahlberg.
Q: What's your favorite actress?
A: Zoe Saldana.
Q: What's your favorite meal?
A: New York Strip, 14oz, medium rare.
Q: Your favourite New York City?
A: I love Central Park. Central Park is beautiful. All the properties in the middle of a concrete jungle…the atmosphere and energy.
Q: What do you want Yankees fans to know about Cody Bellinger?
A: I love this game and play it with a lot of passion. I try to give them all, every day, offense, defense, base running. …When I can't get the most out of my abilities than anyone else, I get even more annoyed with myself.
Q: What are you most proud of about your career so far?
A: So many different instances… I'll come back after getting DFA [by the Dodgers after 2022 season] It's extremely important, just bounces back and shows mental strength. But we don't know if anything will achieve a World Series victory.
Q: What do you think about playing on the New York stage?
A: It's the best stage in baseball, with a high interest and comes with a World Series or bust mentality, but at the end of the day as a player, that's what you want. Play this game to win the World Series, play this game to host a parade at the end. So it's where I'm ready and in February. You've experienced the ups and downs of the season, the boy in the locker room, you know that's all you got, we're here. On the day, we want to pop champagne and jump into the parade. That's the ultimate goal.
Q: Can you imagine a parade in New York City?
A: Of course you can. That's what makes your dream come true. When you wear this uniform, the only thing you want is the World Series and Parade at the end of it
