A CRAZY NEW NAME FOR HITTING COACH IS OUT THERE!

Remember Manny Ramirez? Every baseball fan does. He was one of the most feared hitters in baseball during his years with the Boston Red Sox and throughout his MLB career. Now 14 years removed from his playing days he would like to return to Major League Baseball, but in a much different role.

Manny's playing days may be long gone, but now he is looking to get back into the coaching world and he has let all 30 MLB teams know. Jon Heyman talked about his credentials on MLB Network and X last week.

As Heyman mentions, he has credentials. He knew how to hit, that's the reason he was every pitcher's nightmare. But can he TEACH someone how to hit? That remains to be seen, and is a valid question. Manny had the "it" factor, but can he develop that in someone else? He doesn't have the long resume of teaching hitting skills like he does making clutch hits. So does his MLB experience give him the real credentials to jump to MLB again as THE hitting coach?

It's an interesting scenario to think about especially after leaving MLB in 2011 after testing positive for PEDS for a third time. Boston has a history of bringing back former Red Sox favorites into special roles for the organization. Could Manny be the next edition after David Ortiz and Pedro Martinez? It's what Boston does.

But is it what the Yankees would do? Considering James Rowson could easily be heading back to Minnesota as their new manager, the Yankees would need a new hitting coach. It would be crazy, but the Yankees do a lot of crazy things like keep Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman around. The Yankees are also obsessed with the long ball, and Manny had plenty of those. It's too crazy in my opinion....it's not a fit. 

I'm curious to see where this goes, the man with the "credentials" as Heyman says and the man with the PEDS background....is there a team out there (besides Boston) that will really give this guy a chance?

Can Manny even articulate and teach others to do what he did? That would be a season worth watching. It could be a disaster, or hilarious....or just crazy enough to work? 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

MARCUS STROMAN STAYS TOUGH AFTER "STARTER" COMMENTS

Look, say what you want about Marcus Stroman, but you have to admire the sheer balls on this guy. Whether he’s still capable of getting major league hitters out—especially in a Yankees uniform—is another conversation entirely. But the ego? The confidence? The sheer delusion? Tremendous. You almost have to respect it.

If you’ve been living under a rock, here’s the deal: Yankees camp was absolutely uncomfortable with Stroman last week. The rotation is crowded, the bullpen is a possibility, and the front office has been trying to trade Stroman for months with about as much success as trying to sell a broken lawnmower at a garage sale. The idea was floated that maybe he’d shift to relief, and predictably, Stroman—never one to bite his tongue—pushed back. Hard. That’s pride, that’s ego, that’s a guy with an unwavering belief in himself, even if the rest of the league doesn’t exactly share his enthusiasm.

Now, I’ve said before that when you pitch for the Yankees, you do what the team needs. Swallow your pride, be a good soldier, and help the club win. Stroman? Yeah, not happening. And while part of me thinks that’s ridiculous, another part of me can’t help but admire the sheer stones it takes to be this stubborn.

Despite all the noise, Aaron Boone handed Stroman the ball for the spring opener, and to his credit, the guy delivered—one scoreless inning, a strikeout to start, and some minor traffic that he worked around. Solid. Serviceable. Not exactly prime Pedro Martinez, but hey, he got the job done.

Afterward, Stroman made it clear he’s not losing sleep over the Yankees’ rotation situation. Speaking to reporters, including Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News, he said he had “zero regrets” about his stance and didn’t care how things played out.

“I know who I am as a pitcher,” Stroman said. “I’m a very confident pitcher. I don’t think you’d want someone in your starting rotation that would be like, ‘Hey, I’m gonna go to the bullpen.’ That’s not someone you want.”

Translation: I’m not lowering myself to bullpen duty. I’m a starter, and you’ll deal with it.

Now, let’s talk about reality. Stroman is set to make $18 million this season. The Yankees spent the entire offseason dangling him in trade talks, and not a single team bit. That probably has something to do with the fact that he completely fell off a cliff in the second half of last season and was such a non-factor in the playoffs that you’d be forgiven for forgetting he was even on the roster. But here’s where things get interesting: the Yankees may be playing the long game.

The plan? Pump him up, showcase him in spring training, and hope he looks good enough that some desperate team in need of a starter bites. If they can flip him for an infielder, a reliever, or even just a bag of slightly used baseballs, that’s a win. Basically, let Stroman be someone else’s problem.

But for now? You have to give the man credit. Even if his best days are behind him, even if the Yankees are clearly looking to move on, the guy still walks around with the swagger of a Cy Young winner. Confidence, delusion—sometimes the line is thin. But one thing is for sure: Stroman’s balls are as big as ever. Whether that’s a good thing or a disaster waiting to happen? We’ll find out soon enough.

PRAISE FOR THE MOOSE

Mike Mussina’s 18-year career in Major League Baseball is a testament to excellence, consistency, and quiet dominance. Spanning a decade with the Baltimore Orioles and eight seasons with the New York Yankees, Mussina amassed a resume that earned him a rightful place in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019. Yet, despite his accolades, Mussina’s brilliance often flies under the radar, overshadowed by flashier names. Let’s explore the highlights of his illustrious career and give the credit Mussina so richly deserves.

The Clutch Performer: Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS

One of the defining moments of Mussina’s career came on October 16, 2003, in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox. Through his first 13 professional seasons, Mussina had been a starting pitcher in all 400 of his appearances. But when Yankees manager Joe Torre called on him to relieve a struggling Roger Clemens in the fourth inning with runners on the corners, nobody out, and the Yankees trailing 4-0, Mussina rose to the challenge.

In his first relief appearance ever, Mussina delivered under immense pressure, escaping the jam without allowing another run. Over the next two innings, he shut down the Red Sox lineup, keeping the Yankees within striking distance. Mussina’s heroics paved the way for one of the most iconic moments in Yankees history: Aaron Boone’s walk-off home run in the 11th inning, which sent the Yankees to the World Series. Mussina’s calm, calculated performance in such a high-stakes situation epitomized his career-long ability to rise to the occasion.

Chasing Perfection: September 2, 2001

Few games in Mussina’s career showcase his dominance better than his near-perfect game on September 2, 2001, against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. In his first season with the Yankees, Mussina mowed down Boston’s lineup, retiring the first 26 batters he faced. With history just one out away, pinch-hitter Carl Everett spoiled the bid with a two-strike single. Undeterred, Mussina closed out the game, finishing with a one-hit masterpiece, 13 strikeouts, and a 1-0 Yankees victory. While perfection eluded him, the game remains one of the most memorable pitching performances in baseball history and a testament to Mussina’s precision and poise.

The Ultimate Milestone: September 28, 2008

The final start of Mussina’s career on September 28, 2008, was as poetic as it was historic. Facing the playoff-bound Red Sox at Fenway Park, Mussina entered the game with 19 wins, needing one more to achieve the elusive 20-win milestone for the first time in his career. The 39-year-old right-hander delivered, throwing six shutout innings before handing the game over to the bullpen. The Yankees secured the victory, making Mussina the oldest first-time 20-game winner in MLB history. He also joined Sandy Koufax as the only pitchers to retire following a 20-win season. The achievement capped an extraordinary career with a flourish of elegance and excellence.

Dominance on the Biggest Stage: 2003 World Series

While the Yankees fell short in the 2003 World Series, Mussina shone in Game 3, facing the Florida Marlins. He squared off against rising star Josh Beckett and delivered a gem, allowing just one run over seven innings to secure his lone World Series victory. Mussina’s composure and precision kept the Yankees competitive in a hard-fought series, though they ultimately fell in six games. The performance exemplified Mussina’s ability to shine in postseason play, even under the brightest lights.

Despite his accomplishments, Mussina’s name often doesn’t come up in conversations about the greatest pitchers of his generation. Perhaps it’s because he never won a Cy Young Award or because he pitched in the same era as dominant figures like Randy Johnson and Pedro Martínez. But Mussina’s brilliance lay in his consistency, his intelligence on the mound, and his ability to adapt and succeed year after year. Few pitchers combined precision, longevity, and excellence as seamlessly as Mussina did.

Mike Mussina’s career is a masterclass in what it means to be a professional athlete. From his clutch performances to his statistical achievements, Mussina’s greatness deserves to be celebrated. His journey from Orioles ace to Yankees stalwart and finally to Hall of Fame inductee in 2019 is a story of hard work, resilience, and excellence. For fans of the game, Mussina’s career is a reminder that greatness doesn’t always have to be loud; sometimes, it’s about showing up every day, doing your job, and letting your results speak for themselves. Mike Mussina did just that, and baseball is better for it.

--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor

GERRIT COLE THROWS 2000

On Tuesday night, the Yankees embarked on an important three game series against their division rival Baltimore Orioles. Those Orioles are always muckrakers against the Yankees. And they certainly had Gerrit Cole's number last night in the early innings. But Cole did something great despite giving up two home runs and a two run double, quickly giving the O's a 4-0 lead. But it wasn't enough to beat the Yankees as they walked off with a 6-5 win in extras. Making the night even more special. 

"Gerrit Cole fanned former Yankees prospect Jorge Mateo in the second inning and became the 87th pitcher with 2,000 career strikeouts. He got there in 1,714 2/3 innings, third fastest all-time. Only Chris Sale (1,626 innings) and Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez (1,711 1/3 innings) beat Cole to the milestone," reported CBS Sports. Good for him. He has been a different person, a different pitcher this season. Though he earned a no-decision in Tuesday night's game, he made history.

"In terms of games pitched, Cole is also the third fastest to 2,000 strikeouts. He got there in 278 games, behind only Hall of Famer Randy Johnson (262 games) and the great Clayton Kershaw (277 games)," reported CBS Sports. Anytime I get to mention Kershaw in a piece, it is a good piece!

Recall that last season Cole set the Yankees franchise single-season strikeout record, moving passed Ron Guidry's 248 strikeouts which he threw during his historic Cy Young season in 1978. Anytime I mention Guidry in a piece, it is a good piece! Cole has the opportunity to do much more as long as he stays healthy. He will be with the Yankees through 2028 given his current contract.

"He’s one of eight pitchers to achieve the milestone while wearing a Yankees uniform, joining the likes of Andy Pettitte, C.C. Sabathia, Catfish Hunter, David Cone, Mike Mussina, Bobo Newman, and Dwight Gooden," reported Sports Illustrated. Okay, I am a Pettitte and Catfish fan, so anytime I mention them...you get the point. 

Cole has shown tremendous growth and leadership as well this season. Often he is seen talking with young pitchers, reviewing their performance on the dugout iPad and even providing some much-needed humor when the team was down. His presence is invaluable to this team. Congratulations, Gerrit Cole on this well-earned accomplishment. And let's go Yankees, beat them O's!

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

A DECADE LATER, PEDRO MAKES EXCUSES FOR PHILLIES WORLD SERIES LOSS TO YANKS

Nobody cares, Pedro... nobody cares.

The Yankees were the best team in baseball in 2009, but with every loss in history, there are excuses, or finger pointing or something.  I hate sore losers.

Pedro Martinez cracked the code to why the Phillies lost to the Yankees in 2009 in the World Series... Swine Flu. Give me a freaking break.

Sporting News writes:

"Martinez said "most" of the team became sick during that series. 'It wasn't told, but most of us were sick,' Martinez said (via the Philadelphia Inquirer). 'Some of the guys had swine flu and had to be kept away. I caught some of the virus. We would just never say it. When I got home, I realized that I was really sick.  I had a little bit of an asthma attack in the middle of the game and I was having a hard time breathing," Martinez said. 'I was really sick. In any other situation, I wouldn't be out there. But the team needed me. I held on as long as I could and I did that. I was really proud to have my last game with the Phillies at Yankee Stadium.'"

Now there's this thing in life that we all do, and that's exaggerate stories as we fall further and further away from them. We start the add details that didn't happen. Embellish. Lie a little to make it more dramatic... more entertaining. In fact, Men's Health did this great piece on why people do it. I had to share some of it...

Mandatory Credit: Michael Weinstein

"'At social events, you're expected to entertain people—you're almost on a stage,' says R. Keith Sawyer, Ph.D, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.   However, if your truth-stretching has become so noticeable that your buddies call you out on it, it’s time to examine your motivations. For instance, are you embellishing your stories because in reality they’re boring?"

There's plenty more, check out that article. But look, that's the main point here. The further we are from it, the more Pedro is making a more dramatic ending. Sure it's not a great story even then, but the excuse factor comes into play.  Reality is, The Yankees won fair and square, and the Phillies losing isn't all that exciting all these years later, and so... he made something up. Someone could have been sick, but it's like that stupid bloody sock and Curt Schilling.  Drama makes people interested.  Real or not... they're sucked in.

All and all though... this is just stupid and even more stupid that the Sporting News picked it up as a legit story.  We here at BYB? We wanted to point out what excuses look like, and once again trash the Sporting News for terrible journalism.

We won Pedro... you lost... get over it.

CHASING DOWN THE RED SOX

Source: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images North America

Many, including myself at times, said it wasn't possible for the Yankees to catch the Red Sox and yet, here we are in late August and the Bombers are taking advantage of Boston's recent slew of losses.  The Yankees have cut into The Sox lead at the top of the American League East and now trail them by only seven games.  With the Yankees one game away from sweeping the Baltimore Orioles, things seem to be falling into place for a team who have had their share of bad breaks.

Source: Getty Images North America

Losing Aaron Judge, CC Sabathia, Didi Gregorius and Aroldis Chapman not to mention earlier losses of Masahiro Tanaka in inter-league play and Jordan Montgomery to season-ending Tommy John surgery, have been big blows to both the Yankees' physical and mental aspects of their game.  But now with the Yankees back in business and on track to potentially catch the Sox, the team simply cannot tolerate low productivity in their regular starters.

"The urgency is such that the Yankees are no longer content to let first baseman Greg Bird hit his way into form", reported the New York Times after Friday night's extra innings win. “Performance matters,” Manager Aaron Boone said.

Source: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images North America

And what he saw in Luke Voit on Friday night was more than just performance.  "In addition to the two home runs, his first extra-base hits as a Yankee, Voit delivered a jolt of enthusiasm as he bolted around the bases, carrying himself like the hulking linebacker he was before shoulder injuries forced him to give up football in high school. It was the type of verve that the analyst Pedro Martinez said had been missing from the Yankees of late, and it energized the visitors’ dugout," reported The Times.

Source: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images North America

The Yankees, perhaps still on the high left by Voit, played light on their feet, swift in their bats and aggressive on the base paths against the Orioles as they swept the double-header at Camden Yards against their other division rival.

Source: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images North America

Are the Yankees in contention for an AL East crown? Of course they are.  They have never took their eyes off that goal.  But with the injuries, shifts in the roster, the weather and the grind of the long season, they have been beaten up.  The Yankees are chasing down the Red Sox and it certainly isn't their first rodeo.  It is deja vu all over again and it ain't over 'til it's over.  It is starting to get really interesting.

Buckle up everyone.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

PEDRO MARTINEZ HAS HARSH WORDS FOR THE YANKEES

And he isn't wrong.

These Yankees don't have the same spunk as the version that Pedro Martinez once referred to as "my daddy" and even he knows there is something wrong with this team that goes beyond all of the injuries.

We already said this last week in STOP BLAMING EVERYTHING ON INJURIES! Yes, the injuries are an issue. It's a long season and it is bound to happen but good teams finds ways to win. Guys step up and someone picks up the slack. The Yankees aren't doing that. They are just going with the motions and now finally an outsider agrees.

Photo: USA Today

The Yankees have key guys missing in the lineup with Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Didi Gregorius and now we can add Aroldis Chapman to the list as of yesterday. Those are all guys that make a huge difference in a game but they aren't playing like a winning team. Their record and their performance in the last month simply do not match. Right now, we are lucky.

I don't like the idea of agreeing with Pedro but, his tweets are true.

The Yankees aren't hustling out there. There's no heart either. Sure the Yankees are 32 games over .500 and that's nice. That record doesn't tell the accurate story about the team since July. That record is thanks to early success. The Yankees haven't been that team in awhile.

Photo: New York Post

The Yankees just don't look hungry anymore. They look lost and no one is stepping up to be the leader that is sorely missed. We have all of the talent to get us to the postseason but our passion has been sucked dry. Aaron Boone doesn't have that fire and he can't get it out of his players, either. Without Judge, our team is missing a leader and there has been no one else to fill those shoes.
It's the end of August and the excitement is gone.

Sure, the Yankees are winning games but when you are not playing your best....can you really be called a winner? The Yankees aren't fooling anyone. They aren't playing to their full potential even with all of the injury concerns. They have holes without key players but they shouldn't be this ineffective.

And the Marlins series is a perfect example. It shouldn't take twelve innings to finally beat the Marlins 2-1. And last night? Ugly. Lance Lynn gave up five runs in the sixth. Oh and what about Austin Romine's needless and wild throw to second? That allowed Brian Anderson to advance to third, and he scored an unearned run on a ground out. The Yankees managed only one extra-base hit against five Miami pitchers. They committed three errors and struck out 11 times in a defeat that ended their four-game winning streak. They should've easily walked through the Marlins.

So now what? The Yankees have a day to try and get their act together before they head to Baltimore. The Yankees are 6-6 against a team that has the worst record in the majors. We are better than this.

The Yankees may have a winning record but Pedro is right, this team doesn't have the energy of a winning team. I don't like agreeing with Pedro, but he's right. A 100 win season won't matter if they keep playing like this. If the Yankees want to make that long postseason run like last season, leadership,  hustle and tons of energy will go a long way. If they don't find any of that it is going to be a short trip and a long winter.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

THAT TIME SEVERINO REACHED OUT TO PEDRO MARTINEZ

Who would have thought... my goodness.

This is a great nugget for the BYB audience. Enough to get them fired up on a Sunday morning.  Enough to make you say, "Wait... Pedro Martinez is a good guy?"

(April 7, 2016 - Source: Leon Halip/Getty Images North America)

Now truth be told, I hated Pedro when he was with the Red Sox.  His arrogance dripped and he was a very good pitcher in his time, no question. Now however, watching his commentary, he doesn't bother me at all. Turns out he doesn't bother Luis Severino either.  Sevy is looking for some help to make him dominant in 2017... and Pedro took his phone call.

NJ.com writes:

"Pitching coach Larry Rothschild blamed Severino's struggles on a bevy of problems, including poor fastball command, a loss of confidence in his changeup, a flat slider and a tendency to overthrow.

Severino said he worked on all of that in the Dominican Republic, even spending time with a Yankees nemesis.

(April 7, 2016 - Source: Leon Halip/Getty Images North America)'

'I had the honor to work with Pedro Martinez,' said Severino, who's had a relationship with the Hall of Famer since 2015.

Severino and Martinez worked together for a few days.

'We focused on mechanics,' Severino said. 'That's something Larry told me to do. My mechanics, my release point -- trying to fix it all.'

So, progress

'I'm doing very well,' he said. 'I've been throwing my bullpen and my changeup is way better than last year. My fastball location is better, too. So hopefully in spring training it'll be good.'"

Photo: Getty Images

Hey, when you need help, it doesn't matter who it is.  If you have common interest, and there's no personal bad blood between the 2 of you... you ask for help.  Sometimes you never know what will happen. 

The strangest thing in this piece?  Watching the awkwardness of the Record guys talking in their Record studio about the Yankee young guns.


I love the idea, but they are smart guys... they deserve a studio, they deserve to not have to whisper. Hey, maybe throw a tie on and run a brush through your hair. Overall though, in this day and age, I think this is a great idea. Now? I don't like it so much.

Anyway, I like that Sevy isn't too proud to reach out.  I think it shows his determination to be a winner. I like this... and I love this story. Good work NJ.com. 

Happy Sunday.

BIRDS BATTLE FOR WILD CARD VICTORY

The Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles battled for the Wild Card spot in the American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers.  It was a one and done game and stakes were very high for both teams.  I glanced at the game and saw an early lead by the Blue Jays, who could have been the Division champions had they not choked toward the end of August into September.  Quite frankly, I was rooting for the team who I thought had the best chance of beating the Red Sox.  Unfortunately, that team did not advance to the ALDS.

As reported by USA Today in the overnight, "Edwin Encarnacion’s walk-off three-run home run off Ubaldo Jimenez sent a boisterous – and at one point, bad-behaving crowd - into a frenzy and the Blue Jays on to Texas for an ALDS rematch with the Rangers. Game 1 of the ALDS is Thursday in Arlington." The bad behavior the article eludes to is a fan's launch of a full can of beer at Orioles left fielder Hyun Soo Kim narrowly missing him while he fielded a fly ball in the eighth inning. Manager Buck Showalter stepped out of the dugout to check on his players, including Adam Jones who was clearly shaken up by the incident.

The biggest controversy in the game centered around Showalter's decision to sit out closer Zach Britton. Fox Sports headline simply read, "What was Buck Showalter thinking?"  I often uttered the similar words after losses like this one by our Bronx Bombers.  

"Britton, whose Win Probability Added this season was the highest for an American League pitcher since Pedro Martinez in 1999, was healthy and could have easily been ready in the highest-leverage moment of the game. But Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't want him," reported Fox Sports. Britton finished the season with 47 saves .054 ERA; good enough to be considered for Cy Young Award.

Well, as I always say, Too Bad So Sad! The Orioles go home for a long winter's nap and the Blue Jays head to Texas. Next up, Wild Card #2, Mets vs. Giants. May the best team win from San Fransisco. 

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Senior Staff Writer
BYB Hot Stove Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: CLAY BELLINGER

We've done this type of thing in the past when it comes to Opening Day.  We celebrate the day, but we celebrate all the Yankees here.

Bleeding Yankee Blue prides itself on being different, and have been since we began back in 2010.  We've had inspirational Yankee videos, straight talk about our team and what to expect and even interviews with new Yankees or veterans of the club.  We are blessed to have great contacts and terrific people surrounding us.  Last year we interviewed Garrett and Cassie Jones in what was a pretty popular Opening Day interview, celebration, whatever. (Read EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: GARRETT & CASSIE JONES.)  Cassie and BYB are still in touch for updates on Garrett.  It's a nice give and take.  Today though, we have another great treat.  An interview with former New York Yankee Clay Bellinger!

What feels like many months ago now, when I met my other half I learned a lot about him listening to many of his stories about when he used to be an EMT.  At the end of one of his stories he tells me about how he was helping transport a victim of an accident and mentions that his friend and former Yankee was one of the firefighters that responded on scene, named Clay Bellinger. He asked me if I knew who he was and I gave him the "DUH of course I do" answer but didn't believe him. Instead, I answered with "Sure, and I used to date Derek Jeter." Well it turns out he wasn't just telling a lie to try and impress me and he did spend a lot of time with Clay.

Fans remember Clay as a utility player for the Yankees from 1999 through 2001. I remember him as the guy who looked like a super hero in the 2000 World Series and the guy that ruined my dad's hope for the Mets to win the World Series that year. Now he is a leader outside of the baseball world for a whole other reason.

These days, Clay is working in my community as a firefighter for the town of Gilbert. Back in December, my boyfriend managed to arrange for me not only to meet Clay but to take a tour of the firehouse that all of these guys spend all of their time together and how close knit these guys are with one another. While I was there I asked Clay if he would take some time to talk to us and share some of his experiences with us at Bleeding Yankee Blue, and he agreed. I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did.

BYB: Everyone remembers their first hit, can you tell me who your first hit was off of and what do you remember about it?

Clay Bellinger: My first hit came off of Heathcliff Slocumb when he was playing with the Baltimore Orioles. There is a lot I remember from the game. Scott Brosius was supposed to play in that game but he couldn't because he twisted his ankle so I filled in for him. I remember Roll Call and hearing the bleacher creatures say everyone's name. It was a Wednesday night game on ESPN and I didn't get a hit until my fourth at bat and I was pretty nervous.

BYB: Who was the most difficult pitcher you had to face and why?

Clay Bellinger: I didn't get a ton of at bats since I didn't play consistently but Pedro Martinez was pretty tough. I remember I got one hit off of him, but hits never came easy. Pedro had such a nasty fastball, change-up and curveball.

BYB: Which stadium was your favorite to play in and why?

Clay Bellinger:     That would be Yankee stadium. I grew up 3 hours from there and I remember going to a game there once when I was young. I was a hometown kid it was probably the most historic place for me to play in. I remember how well they took care of the stadium. The grass and the field were impressive. It was such a great place to go and hang out at before and after the games. You can't forget the fans either. They were passionate. There are not too many other places like it.

BYB: What was it like to play with Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera?

Clay Bellinger:    When I made the team in 99 everyone on the team was a big name person. They all treated me great. Everyone was awesome and they didn't treat me like I was a rookie. They were all class acts. They played the game well and were respectful so they were great to be around.

BYB: Yankee fans remember the Subway World Series back in 2000. You replaced David Justice in the game and robbed Todd Zeile of a home run. Walk us through that moment. What do you remember?

Clay Bellinger:     I  approached it like every other game. I didn't even know what inning it was but I remember replacing David Justice. As a kid you grow up dreaming about making a play in the World Series. I always wanted any ball hit my way. As soon as Zeile hit it I knew it was going to be close. I was just hoping I had enough room and I was going to be able to get back fast enough and catch it. After I caught it I made a good throw going into second to keep the runner off. It’s always cool when you don’t play a lot and get to make an important play. It was a pretty good play. I know the Mets weren't too happy about it. 

BYB: You have a son named Cody who plays baseball in the Dodgers organization, how is he doing?

Clay Bellinger:    He’s doing awesome. He had a good year last year. He changed his swing up to hit more home runs and he just had a phenomenal year for a 19 year old. He got invited to big league camp this year. He’s been meeting all of the big league guys and they all talk to him. He is excited so I am excited for him. He has the talent and the drive. I see all of the changes he is making and that is exciting for me. He went from no home runs to 30 home runs and 103 RBI so he’s doing well and this is going to be an exciting year for him. We are very proud of him.

BYB: You work now as a firefighter in Gilbert, Arizona. What is that like and are there any similarities to the baseball world?

Clay Bellinger:    September will be year number 10 for me. It’s just a phenomenal job there is a lot of reward to it. There are some days where we don’t do anything. Some days we have 10 calls to respond to. You go to work never knowing what is going to happen. It is a tiny clubhouse. Some stations have 8-10 guys in there and we have 4. You hang with guys for 24 hours and they become your second family. They rely on you to get things done. It’s very rewarding. To be a player and a firefighter in the same lifetime is amazing because I get to do two things that many kids dream of.


BYB:  Are there any similarities between life in a major league clubhouse and a fire station?

Clay Bellinger:  There are a lot actually. In the clubhouse you hang with 24 guys, but here is it 4. Just like during the regular season you eat and workout with them. These guys are my family basically. I have been at this station for 7 years now with the same engineers. People come and go just like on a baseball team but we are here for the same goal. It was not a hard transition for me because it's still working with a team of people and I love what I do.

I would like to thank Clay for taking time out of his busy schedule to talk with us. Also a big thank you to the rest of his team for letting me tour their station and hang out. I not only thank you for all of the memories that you gave me during your time as a Yankee but I can't say thank you enough for everything you do to help keep people in my community safe. Kids say baseball players are heroes, but Clay and his team are involved in heroic acts all of the time and that should not go unnoticed. 

I also can't forget to give a big THANK YOU to my boyfriend for making all of this happen. Oh and by the way, I told Clay about my "I dated Derek Jeter" comment that I opened this story with and he laughed. 

 
   
--Jeana Bellezza, 
BYB Senior Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ