NEW YORK — In the previous offseason, Cody Bellinger considered the possibility of returning to the Dodgers.
“It was definitely a possibility,” he mentioned in a conversation.
At that time, he was a free agent, and the Dodgers were in search of an outfielder.
“Certainly there was a dialogue there,” Bellinger added.
The main reason he wanted to go back was straightforward: he wanted to experience the World Series again.
But as his 5-year-old daughter was about to start school, members of the Dodgers’ 2020 championship roster were also thinking about securing a long-term contract. Eventually, the Dodgers signed Kyle Tucker for a four-year, $240 million deal, believing he might opt out after two years. Meanwhile, Bellinger returned to the Yankees on a five-year, $162.5 million contract.
Now, rather than imagining playing in the World Series with the Dodgers, he’s dreaming of facing them.
“Of course,” Bellinger said, recently named the All-Star Game MVP. “Ultimately, for me, I just want to get back to the World Series. You can’t control what happens, but I can control how I get there. That’s my goal.”
Despite how his tenure with the Dodgers ended following the 2022 season and not securing a deal earlier this year, Bellinger expresses no animosity toward his former team.
“There is only love and respect between us,” he remarked. “I think we accomplished some great things. Looking back, there are a lot of fond memories.”
Bellinger debuted with the Dodgers at 21, earning the Rookie of the Year award. Two years later, he hit 47 home runs in 2019, clinching the National League MVP title.
However, a bizarre incident during the 2020 World Series altered his career’s trajectory. In Game 7 of the NL Championship Series, Bellinger dislocated his right shoulder celebrating a home run, leading to surgery that winter.
The following season marked a decline, as he battled a weakened shoulder and a broken foot, ending up with a .165 batting average, the worst of his career.
While he showed improvement in 2022, hitting .210 with 19 homers, it wasn’t enough for the Dodgers to offer him a contract that raised his arbitration salary from $17 million. Thus, he became a free agent at 27.
Initially, the lack of offers stung. Yet Bellinger found his rhythm during two seasons with the Cubs before being traded to the Yankees prior to last season. He later opted out of his contract to explore options.
“I’m grateful for all of that,” he reflected. “I’ve made great friends on all three teams, and each place has taught me something new.”
He remains the same easygoing Cody Bellinger known from his Dodgers days, but now he’s also a husband and father of two girls.
His experiences have given him a more positive perspective on his time with the Dodgers.
Looking back at his standout season, Bellinger noted that losing his ability to perform left him feeling adrift.
He explained, “When you’re doing well, you understand why. And when you struggle, you question why that is.”
Bellinger mentioned learning how to better integrate analytics into his practice, something the Dodgers encouraged. “But I think I was overthinking things for a bit,” he shared.
He added, “I believe it’s beneficial because nowadays we have so much data that supports our feelings. It’s not that we don’t grasp the information well; it’s more about how we understand it now.”
Bellinger recently played in a doubleheader between the Yankees and Dodgers, currently batting .254 with 11 homers and 51 RBIs, and said it was enjoyable to connect with old friends during the weekend.
“I believe everything happens for a reason,” he concluded. “Whatever the reason, I’m here, and I’m okay with that.”
