Once a Los Angeles Dodgers favorite, Cody Bellinger was at the top of his game back in 2019. Many believed there was no one better than Bellinger. He was widely regarded as a great athlete with multi-positional and slugging ability. However, after the 2022 season, he became a free agent and signed with the Chicago Cubs. Now, three years later, he is back in Los Angeles. But this time, as a Yankee, having signed a contract with New York in 2024. Recalling the trauma he experienced after losing the World Series championship against the Dodgers last year, and now once again, Bellinger delivered an emotional statement.
We all had that heartbreak, just like the New York Yankees’ fans in 2024, right? But things were different this season. The Yankees are riding high on success, leading the AL East with a 35-22 record. However, their recent 18-2 loss to the Dodgers felt like a repeat of last year’s disappointment. As expected, Bellinger appeared emotional.
In an interview with YES Network, Bellinger was asked about the Dodgers putting up the most runs in a game against the Yankees. He described it as “tough.” As the Yankees have been dominant this season, dropping the first two games of the series against the Dodgers was unexpected. But all Bellinger managed to say was, “Try to get a win tomorrow.”
Cody Bellinger delves into the Dodgers’ pitch mixes after Saturday’s game. pic.twitter.com/11YtivtchL
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) June 1, 2025
But that wasn’t the end of it! Bellinger also discussed how the Dodgers’ pitching staff played a big role in limiting Aaron Judge, who has been one of the Yankees’ best hitters this season, not to mention an MVP contender. “Yeah, I think they really did a great job mixing, ahh, you know, maybe chasing a little bit, a little bit too much, you know, just the way the game went today.”
Bellinger made a good point.
The Dodgers not only have quality pitchers but also hitters who delivered great at-bats. They kept adding runs, which put the Yankees under pressure and ultimately led to their loss. Despite knowing it’s tough to lose the first two games in a series, Bellinger wants to take things one game at a time. He believes the Yankees will come back stronger and win the next game.
But it wasn’t all bad for the Yankees. There were some impactful performances in the game as well. Captain Judge managed to hit the second home run against the Dodgers. But he was soon outpaced by the Dodgers’ superstar, Shohei Ohtani, who hit two home runs. Amid the star performances, Yankees’ Bellinger has also contributed with home runs. And his batting average has increased to .253, with a .324 OBP and .767 OPS.
But do you know why Bellinger was let go by the Dodgers?
Why was Cody Bellinger released by the Dodgers?
If you remember Bellinger in the Dodgers, his offensive production hardly met expectations. Despite playing in 239 games, he averaged .193 and hit 29 home runs, which did not match his skill level. But it was not just about the performance; rather, it was also about his role in the games, which also played a major role in his snub.
During the 2020 World Series Championship, Bellinger injured his right shoulder. This diminished his power and was reflected in his stats. In the 56 games he played in 2020, he barely hit 12 home runs. His .239 batting average was acceptable, but not impressive.
And if we look closely, he never really regained the form the Dodgers expected. In 2022, he made 144 appearances, batting just .210 with three triples, 14 stolen bases, 27 doubles, 68 RBIs, and 19 home runs. The Dodgers realized their investment was not yielding a satisfactory returns and ultimately non-tendered him after the 2022 season, making him a free agent.
Fortune smiled on Bellinger in 2023, as he posted 26 home runs with the Cubs. Considering the slump he had just emerged from, Bellinger has recorded eight home runs with a .253 average and a .767 OPS for the Yankees this season
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