SCOTT BORAS HAS REACHED A NEW LEVEL OF CRAZY!

Winter would be very tame if there was no super agent Scott Boras. An offseason with no Boras would not be as entertaining but he would annoy less people. Boras is baseball's most powerful agent but he's also really freaking strange.

Boras is many things. He's sought after by many players, especially all of the big names but also hated by many fans. He's a smooth talker that can convince owners to open their wallets and spend the big bucks because they NEED his players. He's the schmoozer and entertainer that has done so well at it that we all have grown to despise him and now he's added one more quality....he's also a bizarro wannabe poet.

In case you missed it, Boras wants us all to know just how many suitors Cody Bellinger has and he did it in poetic fashion, read more HERE. He got cutesy at the Winter Meetings yesterday. Now that the Phillies have locked up Kyle Schwarber, he's doing what Boras does best....trying to drive up Cody's price.
"It's not for me to JUDGE, but great players see RED if they have a big bat YANKED out of their lineup," Boras said. "I haven't MET a team that DODGES a five-tool player. To PHIL the center field need is a GIANT step towards the playoffs. North and South, outfielders that fly with power, they're rare BIRDS. In the offseason, there's a lot of startup to organizations, and for that reason, there's a lot of ANGEL investors that are looking for very versatile outfielders. So other than that, Belli doesn't have much interest."

When I read that, I thought I was back in English Literature class creating sonnets and haiku's or something. That's just weird and on a whole new level of crazy. So going off of Boras' poetry session the Yankees, Mets, Angels, Dodgers, Phillies, Giants, Orioles and Reds are all in on Cody. I don't think the Phillies are as IN on Cody as Boras wants us to believe now that they have a deal with Schwarber. Again, this is what Boras does he drives up the price.

I don't see the Reds here, Cody is going to a big market with bigger money and the Angels are kind of funny too. Bigger market but just not realistic. This could easily come down to the big three once again....the Yankees, Mets and Billion dollar Dodgers. The Mets could be more aggressive now that they have lost out on Edwin Diaz and the Dodgers just have to spend money like they are in Congress.

How much does Cody want to be a Yankee? I guess we will have to wait and see. There's one thing that no other team has....the nostalgia that the Yankees have for the Bellinger family. It's a legacy connection. Like father Clay Bellinger, like son Cody. I know this isn't a guaranteed lock by any means but Cody enjoyed his time here just like his dad. 

This comes down to Hal Steinbrenner. He lost big last winter....does he want that to happen again? That would be a hard pill to swallow. Boras is just being Boras, but trying to make this cute is creepy even for his standards. 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

CODY "CLUTCH" BELLINGER IS ON FIRE & I'M HERE FOR IT!

So far, my favorite part of the season has been watching Cody Bellinger. No matter what that is going to be an interesting storyline to follow since his dad Clay Bellinger was a Yankee. It's got human interest piece written all over it. Here we are middle of May and Cody has kicked it up a notch which makes it even more exciting for me.

Cody had a slow start to his first year in pinstripes, but lately he's been on fire! He looks like a different hitter. He has a .312 BA with six doubles, four home runs and 10 RBI over his last 20 games. Want to drool over better stats? His last 12 games, he has a .340 BA with three doubles, three homers and six RBI. What's gotten into him? Whatever it is, tell the Yankees coaching staff to leave him alone! Don't tweak with anything else just let him do his thing. 

But they have tweaked something and for once it looks like it has worked. I found this video on Twitter @RyanGarciaESM and he's definitely made some adjustments at the plate. The more open stance is definitely working. His strikeouts are down, his contact rate is up, and the ball is flying off the bat again. It's everything the Yankees need right now.

And this is why I love this game so much. The smallest tweak can make the biggest difference. The strategy and fundamentals are everything. A consistent Cody makes this Yankees team even more dangerous. Going into the season, I had so many friends (not Yankee fans) telling me that the Yankees picked the wrong strategy over the winter. All I kept hearing was "Cody Bellinger is NEVER going to replace Juan Soto." All I kept saying was he didn't need to replace Soto. In fact, I didn't want ONE guy to replace Soto. We needed a lengthier lineup. We needed to not look for one power hitter to "fix" the offense, we needed more.

Cody can be part of that "more" without a doubt. If we can just keep Cody from falling into long droughts as he has experienced at times over the years, he has a lot to offer this team. He's athletic, a good defender and he's versatile with the ability to play first and the outfield AND he's got some speed. He has more to offer then Soto does at full potential.

There's so much upside to a Cody firing on all cylinders and I'm excited to see this. As of last night, he has a 13-game hitting streak....and we REALLY want to see that continue.

Now if you will excuse me, I have to go order my Bellinger jersey now to add to the collection.....

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

BELLINGER IS WAY TOO EXCITED TO BE A YANKEE & I LOVE IT

Move over, utility players! Cody Bellinger is here to prove that being a team-first superstar is the ultimate flex. The Yankees’ shiny new slugger brought a mix of charm, humility, and pure versatility to his introductory press conference on Thursday. If you weren’t already excited, well, buckle up—because Cody isn’t just joining the squad; he’s ready to be the squad.

“...Wherever y’all need me, I’ll play,” Bellinger said with the kind of swagger that makes you believe he actually means it. “Left, center, right, first base—heck, if [Aaron] Judge wants to take a DH day, I’ll grab a glove and cover right field. It’s about winning, and I enjoy doing whatever helps my team.”

Team player? Understatement of the year. In 2024 with Chicago, Bellinger was a defensive chameleon, seamlessly transitioning between center and right field while sprinkling in a little first base action. Why? Because he could—and because he’s a guy who understands that winning is a team sport.

Bellinger credits former teammate Kiké Hernández for inspiring his Swiss Army Knife approach to the game. “Kiké’s probably the best I’ve ever seen at playing anywhere on the field and making it look easy,” Bellinger shared during a Zoom meeting. “He showed me it’s possible to be excellent at multiple positions. So, I worked at it, nailed the footwork, and now, wherever they need me, I’m ready to roll.”

And let’s not glaze over the family legacy—Cody’s Yankee connection runs deep. His dad, Clay Bellinger, was a proud member of the Yankees’ World Series-winning teams in 1999 and 2000. Cody and Clay now join an elite club as the fourth father-son duo to don pinstripes, standing shoulder to shoulder with names like Yogi and Dale Berra. Talk about carrying the torch!

But if you think Cody’s just here for the nostalgia, think again. He’s here to win. When he got the news, he’d be joining the Yankees, Bellinger called his dad, who was over-the-moon excited—even if he tried to play it cool.

So, whether it’s robbing home runs in center, snagging liners at first, or giving Judge a day off in right, Cody Bellinger is ready to do whatever it takes. Because in the Bronx, it’s not just about the player—it’s about the team. And Cody? Cody’s the guy.

Welcome to the Bronx, Cody. Let’s win some games.

YANKEES GET THEIR MAN & ASK THE BURNING QUESTION: JUAN SOTO WHO?

The New York Yankees just stole the offseason—again. In a move so aggressive it probably made Steve Cohen spit out his artisanal oat milk latte, Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner have acquired former MVP Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs. The best part? They didn’t even break a sweat. This move screams “Juan Soto who?” and sends a clear message: The Yankees are here to dominate, as usual.

Here’s how it went down: According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Yankees shipped right-hander Cody Poteet to the Cubs for Bellinger and a cool $5 million in cash (thanks for picking up the tab, Chicago). Per Jack Curry of YES Network, Bellinger has been informed that he’ll be manning center field, pushing Aaron Judge back to his Gold Glove perch in right. Yankees fans, you can exhale—this outfield is about to be ridiculous.

For us Yankee diehards, this trade hits differently. Cody’s dad, Clay Bellinger, was part of the Yankees’ dynasty from 1999 to 2001. Clay may not have been a superstar, but he knew how to win. Fun fact: Bleeding Yankee Blue interviewed Clay in 2016, read EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: CLAY BELLINGER. Fast forward to today, and Cody is here to carry on the family tradition of collecting rings in the Bronx.

Remember when Cody Bellinger was a 23-year-old MVP crushing dingers and making it look easy with the Dodgers? Yeah, we’re bringing that guy to Yankee Stadium. Sure, he had a couple of rough seasons, but the Cubs version of Bellinger has been cooking. With his left-handed power, defensive wizardry, and knack for clutch moments, Bellinger is the perfect addition to a Yankees lineup that’s already stacked.

Hey Cashman and Hal, Take a Bow! The Yankees have been eyeing Bellinger for a while, but pulling this off mid-offseason? Pure genius. Cashman’s timing is impeccable, and Hal’s willingness to back the Brinks truck up (even after Chicago threw in $5 million) shows the Yankees mean business. Meanwhile, across town, Uncle Steve is probably rethinking his life choices. Mets fans, it’s okay to cry—the Yankees just played chess while you were busy losing at tic-tac-toe.

Let’s break it down: Aaron Judge gets to chill back in right field where he belongs. Anthony Rizzo gets a lefty buddy in the lineup. And Aaron Boone now has the ultimate trump card with Bellinger’s versatility—he can play center, first base, or wherever Boone’s spreadsheet tells him. The Yankees’ balance just leveled up, and the AL East better watch out.

This isn’t just about regular-season wins; it’s about hoisting the Commissioner’s Trophy. Bellinger’s championship DNA (hello, 2020 Dodgers) is exactly what the Yankees need. And let’s not ignore the added bonus: stealing headlines from the Mets. Cohen’s flashy spending spree looks downright amateurish now. Stay salty, Uncle Steve.

The Evil Empire is back in full force. Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner just delivered a masterclass in front office dominance, leaving the rest of MLB to pick up the pieces. Cody Bellinger is here, the Yankees are loaded, and Juan Soto is officially an afterthought.

So, let’s raise a glass to the Bronx Bombers and their latest heist. As for the Mets? Maybe next century. Shove it, Uncle Steve—the Yankees own this city and the offseason. Mic drop.

SCOTT BORAS & HIS UNSIGNED CLIENTS! DID HE BLOW IT?

As a baseball fan, the free agent market this winter hasn't been as exciting as I hoped it would be. Sure, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto were exciting to watch even though neither of them are Yankees but I am left wanting more.

Speaking of wanting more....so are Scott Boras and his still unsigned free agents. Boras is known to have his clients go deep into the offseason before signing but, we are two weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training. Yikes! The clock is ticking, and Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell still do not know where they are reporting.

This reminds me of the 2017 and 2018 offseason when the top four free agents were also Boras clients. So, it's DeJa'Vu all over again. This time I think it is a little different because I think Boras misread the market. The Dodgers are the big spenders and then a couple other teams are spending some cash and then there's a whooooolllleee lotta teams that are doing squat.

It's not easy out there. I know Boras is used to playing the waiting game, but he's waiting for an unrealistic offer for Snell. The Yankees offer for six years and $150 million was decent. There's some wiggle room there, as always. I know Boras isn't interested in decent, he wants and that is his job but his counteroffer of nine years and $270 million isn't even in the ballpark. Teams aren't looking for a long-term deal for a pitcher that will be pushing 40 years old. That counter left no room for negotiation, so he shouldn't be surprised that the Yankees pivoted.

If I'm Jordan Montgomery I might be more worried than Snell is. It is believed by many, that Montgomery wants to return to the Texas Rangers. I can see why he would, however, the Rangers have a BIG financial crisis right now. Their TV deal is in jeopardy because Diamond Sports Network is in bankruptcy and if there is no resolution the Rangers can't afford to sign him. That's an embarrassing predicament for the reigning World Series champions to be in. It's time to start thinking about Plan B.

I have a soft spot for Cody Bellinger because I really liked watching his dad Clay Bellinger play for us back in the day. I've met Clay too, and he's a good guy that gives back to the community. He did an interview for us back in 2016 to check out EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: CLAY BELLINGER it's one of my favorites. I've always hoped that Cody would one day follow his dad's path and be a Yankee. A girl can dream, but it isn't likely. At this point, I am sure Cody would just like a contract and honestly I do too. I wish there was a better market for him, but right now it is pretty thin. He's been searching for that multi-year deal for over $200 million and the market just isn't there. I think there is mutual interest for Cody and the Cubs to reunite, and I think it could happen, but it won't be what he hoped for.

There's a cliche that I like to use a lot and that's "read the room" and if Boras did that, he would see that the majority of MLB's 30 teams are not spending big money. Last winter the Giants tried to spend big money (but didn't succeed). The Mets spent money last year (it didn't work out for them), the Yankees did the year before and this year the Dodgers spent $1.1 BILLION dollars. Aside from that, no one is spending. Boras is trying to command a price the market does not dictate, and it makes him look silly. 

It's time for a reality check, Boras....time to drop your price tags and negotiate.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj 

THE YANKEES ARE "FAVORITES" TO SIGN CODY BELLINGER... SORT OF

The Yankees need to upgrade their offense in a big way this offseason. They could do that by adding Cody Bellinger to the roster. He's the biggest catch out there not named Shohei Ohtani and everyone's watching him and wondering where his new home is going to be.

Rumor has it HERE that the Yankees are favorites to woo Bellinger....but they aren't the only favorite. Yup, in fact the Yankees are supposed "co-favorites" for his services along with the San Francisco Giants. I guess we shouldn't be surprised, right? Last winter the Giants were also chasing after Aaron Judge so why not do it again this winter? Hopefully, it's the same outcome again.

Now the question is, how much will Bellinger actually get? I've seen some crazy and wide ranged predictions out there from 6 years at $150 million to 12 years and $250 million plus. Baseball contracts can be hard to predict anyways, but I am sure that right now Scott Boras is just loving the wide range of possibilities for his client. 

I know some fans are not keen on adding Bellinger to the mix, but if we can get him on the lower end of that crazy contract spectrum range, I am game. The Yankees desperately need another lefty bat AND they need to get more athletic. Cody has some nice pop in his bat AND he's athletic. I can see him in the outfield with Judge, easily. Also, I really could see the Yankees liking him for his abilities at first base. We saw what happened last season to Anthony Rizzo so he only adds more options to a team that really needs them after the dumpster fire season we just had. Cody can hold down first base easily, and give DJ LeMahieu some breathing room, also.

I've always been a Cody fan. I like his family; they are good people. I am also a big fan of his father Clay who I was fortunate enough to interview 7 years ago, check it out EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: CLAY BELLINGER. I loved Clay as a Yankee. I loved the Home Run he robbed in the 2000 World Series, that will always be my favorite memory of him as a player. Now, I envision big plays like that for Cody just following in his footsteps....and it gives me chills.

The Yankees have a lackluster offense, and I think Cody could help get this flat team back on track. The Yankees have to do something, and Cody has Yankee makeup in his blood. This could work.... if the Yankees grow a brain and don't mess this up.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

YANKS NEED TO MAKE A BIG SPLASH, BUT WE'RE NOT AS PRESTIGIOUS AS WE USED TO BE

When the Yankees were good, they were great.  But the Yankees aren't good and anyone that's been reading the papers knows that it has everything to do with the front office, the manager and the analytics department, who should be renamed "Amateur Hour Office".  Sure, blame some players for not stepping up, but it was even Aaron Judge that took a shot at the front office saying that the players were probably given the "wrong numbers".  That's bad.

Bruce Bochy is a player's manager just like Aaron Boone, but Bochy is also a baseball man. He is wise and manages with his eyes, his heart, his gut. He doesn't use analytics as the law on the field, he uses it as a guide and that's the difference.  Boone uses the numbers for what it is and doesn't factor in many different other factors on any given day... weather, player error, the elements, the different days, the matchups, etc. Boone's a clown. 

The point is at the end of the day, when players are looking to get a big pay day and you see a team like the Texas Rangers and a loser team like the New York Yankees... who are you going to sit down at the table with the negotiate?  

The Yankees should and need to make a big splash this off-season. It's a must.  Here's the problem; Who the hell wants to come to the Yankees these days? This team has been crucified by the press and their own fan base is leaving in flocks.  Do you know a friend of mine received an email from the Yankees ticket office to re-up for the 2024 season? You know what he told them?

"Sir, with all due respect, I will not step foot in Yankee Stadium again until Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone are fired."

And you know what? That's a fan... that's fair.  If the front office doesn't want to try and fix things to give their team the best chance to win, why the hell would the fans want to be there? Look, the Mets suck too, but at least Steve Cohen's trying to figure it out. 

There are 3 names out there that the Yankees are continually connected to, but I just don't know if they can get them.

Jordan Montgomery for one. Now let's cut through it right now. The Yankees never gave this guy a fair shake. They didn't believe in him and they didn't allow him to find his groove. The Yankees front office was impatient. But you know who did give Jordan a shot? The Rangers.  So, while the rumors are that the Yankees are going to try and pursue him, what makes you think for a second that JoMo wants to come back to New York?  I think this rumor, while fair to speculate, may be the most ridiculous of them all.  

Cody Bellinger is another guy, but this guy I see coming to New York.  Cody had a great season with the Cubs.  His father Clay played for the organization.  As far as I know there is no bad blood.  Now, would the Yankees be willing to bring this guy in? Would Cody want to be in the Bronx?

Yoshinobu Yamamoto. A Japanese pitcher that's lights out.  Now look, there are many players from Japan that pan out and many that do not.  For the Yankees, it's a mixed bag between guys like Hideki Matsui, Kei Igawa and Masahiro Tanaka, but at the end of the day, Matsui is the anointed ambassador for the Yankees when it comes to Japanese players and I do believe with some help, Yamamoto could end up in pinstripes.

But look, at the end of the day, it really comes down to the Yankees cleaning up their camp.  The front office is a mess, the direction they give their players is amateur and while money fixes a lot of stuff, it has not fixed this team at all.

Yankeeland needs leaders... and we are not seeing that, especially in 2023.  Who knows what will happen in 2024, but I'm not hopeful.

WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD WE TRY TO GET CODY BELLINGER, MR. HEYMAN?

Jon Heyman needs to stop with the click bait garbage. The "baseball insider" is grasping at straws. It's annoying.  The Yankees need alot of fixes to right the ship right now, but what they don't need is a .250 hitter named Cody Bellinger. And not only did he suggest Bellinger... his nugget is madness.

He writes:

"If the Cubs sell, Cody Bellinger, a free agent after 2023, may be a nice fit for the Yankees as a left-handed hitter who could man left field and give the Yankees one of the game’s best defensive outfields.

In the meantime, Billy McKinney and Jake Bauers have been two of their more productive players lately. Bellinger’s dad Clay won two rings with the late ’90s Yankees."

So, break this down.  "IF THE CUBS SELL". So right there it's a fantasy trade. There's no conversation between the Cubs and Yanks. There's nothing.

Number 2... "Billy McKinney and Jake Bauers have been two of their more productive players lately."  Right. So why are we entertaining your made-up trade idea?  

Three... "Bellinger’s dad Clay won two rings with the late ’90s Yankees."

AND? What does that mean? So, his dad played for the Yankees, so Cody now makes sense? It's ridiculous.

Non-story. Garbage. Not worth your time.  The fact that the New York Post actually allows him to even put this in print is embarrassing.

Look, the Yanks need to figure it out with what we have already. It's not gonna be easy, but adding money to our payroll, having big names coming in with star power and not much more is not really what we need to do right now. We need to figure out how to win with what we have.  Heyman is right... guys like McKinney and Bauers are doing good things... so adding a star for literally the only reason of selling some jerseys is so ridiculous.  

We will be fine. We probably won't make the playoffs this year, but would we with Cody Bellinger? Give me a break.

BIG NEWS FOR BYB FRIENDS, THE BELLINGERS!

Just a quick note to pass along in this last full week of April baseball....because you can never have enough good news, right?

Photo: USA Today Sports / Picture of Cody Bellinger

Early in 2016 I was fortunate enough to meet Clay Bellinger. We talked about his time with the Yankees and his life now as a firefighter in the town I live in, you can read that in BYB's EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: CLAY BELLINGER.

I could tell how much he really enjoyed his time with the Yankees but the part that he loved talking about the most was definitely his son Cody Bellinger. Last year Cody was working his way quickly through the Dodger's minor league system, and now Cody has finally been called up and Clay is definitely a proud dad!

Cody is considered to be the Dodger's top prospect and future first baseman, but his versatility, talent and experience in the outfield makes him an even bigger reason why he is so important to the Dodgers. Right now the Dodgers have a lot of holes in their outfield to fill. Center fielder Joc Pederson is on the disabled list with a strained right groin and left fielder Franklin Gutierrez is on the DL with a left hamstring strain. Infielder Logan Forsythe is also sidelined by a broken right big toe....and that opens the door for Cody.

After a brief interview with Fox Sports HERE, it sounds like Cody was surprised to get the call but we aren't. Cody has progressed quickly through the system thanks to his hard work and recognizing his own areas of improvement, like changing his swing that Clay talked to us about last year. The season is till young but he has a .343BA with five home runs, four doubles, 15 RBIs and seven stolen bases in 18 games at Triple-A this year. He is also among the Pacific Coast League leaders in several offensive categories. Numbers like those are how you get a quick call up

Once the Dodgers get some of their regulars healthy again they are likely to send Cody back down....but I bet money he will be back up again this season. We did text message Clay Bellinger Tuesday night assuming the proud dad had to be in San Francisco for his son's big debut and sure enough, we got a text back thanking us and shortly after MLB Network had a quick story on Cody and we spotted the Bellinger family in the stands. What a cool moment!

Bellinger may not be a Yankee, but he and his whole family are now part of the BYB family and if you read us regularly you know how important that is to us. This isn't just a blog about baseball, it is much bigger than that. It's cool witnessing people that you meet in life achieve big things. So a big congratulations goes out to Cody and the Bellinger family! We look forward to watching you continue to do big things.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

OPENING DAY CREEPING UP ON ME

It's raining and snowing in the Northeast.  The weather is absolutely not Spring weather. I gotta tell you know, waking up to 1010 Wins, I was excited.  It's baseball season with Opening day for Major League baseball starting yesterday, but the Yankees were expected to play today, but the rain postponed things until tomorrow.  My buddy will be going. I'll be at work.  Hey, it happens.   Doesn't matter. I will find a radio somewhere, put it on real low and listen as I do whatever the hell I have to do today.

I've been so consumed with life that I wasn't paying attention to the Yankees Opening Day.  That's allowed by the way. Life comes first, it always should.  Speaking of life, not sure you saw the great interview Jeana Bellezza did with former Yankee Clay Bellinger, but it's a perfect for way for us to start off the season.  A Former Yankee who now lives life to the fullest... saving lives.  As Jeana wrote in her piece:

" 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. "  

So true.  Bravely is incredible and courageous and I have news for you... no everyone has it in them.  I was touched by this interview.  I want to make sure you all give it a read.  Click on EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: CLAY BELLINGER. You will love it.

I've been so behind, the BYB store, while opened, isn't updated with our new selections yet.  Hey man, I got a lot going on, trust me, the stuff will be there, don't fret... I just need some time.  In the meantime, there are some of last years items in there.  If you want to do alittle browsing, I suggest you do it! We hope to have new items up next week including this design.

I chose a few of my favorite Yankees in recent history for the photos.  Jeter, Pettitte, Matsui, Tanaka, Posada, Ichiro.  There is hundreds of favorites, I get that, but I was trying to be unique to what BYB does.  We're different... remember.  I also wanted to give you that fan feel.  There are no professional photos... these are pictures from the nose bleeds, from the every day fans perspective.  I'm not looking to get up close at Yankee games... I just want to sit with the fans and enjoy a good game.  That's what BYB represents... regular fans, regular games and a good time.   We're still tweaking this desgin a bit, but it's coming soon folks.

The Yankees play tomorrow on a sunny day, the game will happen.  You never like Opening day in the Bronx to be wet and cold, but sometimes you have to deal with the elements. Not today. Tomorrow will be Opening Day now!

This is just a note to say Thanks.  Sometimes life goes pretty fast. Between coaching baseball, helping out my community and being passionate about everything I've been doing... sometimes I need to stop and take a deep breath and look around.  I did this morning and I wanted to just take a moment and thank every single reader and supporter of BYB.  You guys are my second family.  My writers are wonderful, our readers are amazing.  

Keep reading, keep sharing and keep wearing us.  We appreciate you all and love that you loyal readers of BYB understand the concept here.  We are family.  

#OpeningDay for the #Yankees is tomorrow ⚾️ Got my @BleednYankeeBlu gear ready #BYB #ChaseFor28 #BaseballIsBack #NYY pic.twitter.com/nE9UIDhNBH

— Lisa Varga (@TheLisaVarga) April 3, 2016

We love to talk about family but we always love our Yankees, who, ironically are family too.  That's where our heart is and always will be.

Thank you all for your support.  #BYB will be here as long as you are.  Thank you. 

Let's play ball.

Thank you for your loyalty to Bleeding Yankee Blue.
Please shop at the BYB store!
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Don't forget to check out the BYB Hub.

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