The MLB offseason and free agency go hand in hand. As players emerge to the top of the discussion list, Cody Bellinger is among them. The Chicago Cubs didn’t make it to the postseason this year, but the outfielder achieved personal records to attract fan attention. The curiosity only increased when news of his father’s New York Yankees connection came to light. Though Cody has never played in Pinstripes, Clay had a potent connection to the team.

The 28-year-old slugger has long had a sports background in his family. One of the previous generation’s star players can be found in the Bellinger household. Even his brother Cole is connected to the diamond. Given his rise in status with 2023 being a comeback year, fans have been curious about Cody’s father and his connection to the Yankees.

Clay Bellinger’s Identity in Pinstripes, and Connection with the New York Yankees

Cody Bellinger’s origin was in the Big Apple. His father, Clay Bellinger, was originally from Oneonta, New York, though currently they live in Scottsdale, Arizona. Presently, Clay works as a firefighter in Gilbert, Arizona. But that’s not the only identity he has.

His father was a baseball player at the beginning of his professional life. Though the son is part of the Chicago-based team, Bellinger Sr. debuted in MLB with the Yanks. He played for the Bronx Bombers for two years, later switching to the West Coast with the Anaheim Angels.

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Though Clay Bellinger only played in the majors for 4 years, his achievements exceeded all possibilities. Interestingly, the father is ahead of the son where World Series championships are concerned. While Cody has only one trophy, Clay had two championship trophies with the Yankees in 1999 and 2000. He could have another World Series ring if the team hadn’t fallen victim to Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling in 2001.

However, the retired slugger later got a third ring with the Angels as part of their 2002 World Series-winning team. But that was his end in MLB, after recording brilliant stats in these four years. Bellinger Sr. ended his career with a .193 average, 35 RBIs, 12 home runs and 60 hits.

This Yankees connection gave his kids the privilege to grow up seeing the legends of the league in locker rooms. Most prominently, it included the dynasty Bombers

Corey Bellinger Grew Up With Josh Pettitte

When his father won championships with the Pinstripers, Cody Bellinger was barely over 6-7 years old. As a kid, the 28-year-old outfielder thought it was completely normal to see Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera in the locker room. It was much later that he realized how lucky he was.

32YO Ace Opts Out of Contract, Joining Cody Bellinger in Free Agency as Chicago Cubs Suffer a Double Blow

In an interview, the star outfielder revealed he even had Josh Pettitte, the son of pitcher Andy Pettitte, as his best friend. These two are still in touch, continuing the friendship they established years ago, although the younger Pettitte retired from baseball in 2018.

Bellinger has a rich childhood that probably inspires him to become a better player every day, given his family history. Fans now eagerly await news of his next team.

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