What is the most evident difference between George and Hal Steinbrenner’s era of the Yankees? Their past performance in the high-leverage situation. The Yankees were long known to hold the clutches even during the most challenging situations, and they were believed to get away with the wins. It’s not the same anymore, something that Cody Bellinger is willing to get back to the team! Bellinger is hoping to see his team get back to their past prime. 

While Cody Bellinger is relatively new to the Yankees stable, his father, Clay Bellinger, is a 2x World Series champion with the Yankees. Thus, Bellinger Jr. got the Yankee gene in his blood, and it’s just poetic justice for him to end up with the team ultimately. Now he wishes to have the previous Yankees back, similar to his father’s time. So, will Bellinger be able to make it big with the Yankees this year? What does his goal mean for the new-age Yankees?

Cody Bellinger’s goal with the Yankees

It’s been quite a journey for Cody Bellinger before ending up with the Yankees. The 2020 World Series winner was on the verge of ending his career after his prolonged injury-ridden season. After being judged as the NL MVP in 2019, life went for a toss for Bellinger. He finished the 2021 season batting a career-low .165, with 10 HRs and 36 RBIs. “My failures after the World Series through some injuries—lost myself, lost my swing, lost my confidence,” said Bellinger. Well, the story does not end here! The Phoenix is just rising from the ashes.

Now that Cody Bellinger had a decent outing last year for the Yankees, amassing 18 homers and 78 RBIs, he sets a bigger goal this time. “Pretty much when the team needed anything to get done, Jeter seems like the guy delivers. He had this insane clutch gene in him that every player strives to have,” said Bellinger during the spring training Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby. He is striving to get back the famous clutch mentality of the yesteryear Yankees captain Derek Jeter to the team, hoping to reclaim the lost glory for the team that supported his father, financially and socially. 

The new-look Yankees 

Do the Yankees lose their past glory? The team, although still considered one of the top three in MLB, is not the one that gets all the big names and was a synonym for championships. Anything less than winning was considered a failure for the Yankees. That go-getter attitude is not what the new-age Yankees are. The current team is about making smart moves and mostly staying as a distant third behind the Dodgers and Mets in getting big names and championship wins. Bellinger hopes to change that.

For the unversed, Derek Jeter was known for his performance during the high-leverage situation. His ability to shine under pressure and deliver as per the team’s needs earned him the title of “Captain Clutch.” Could the current set of players gain the same clutch sense? Bellinger hopes so. Any player would like to shine during the most demanding situation, and the Yankees can reclaim their past glory by having Jeter-like players. While Jeter-like players cannot be bought, it’s the culture that brings the clutch sense. 

The Yankees might have required a player like Bellinger on their road to redemption. Time will now answer if Bellinger’s pursuit to be great proves worthy for the team. What do you think about Bellinger’s strive to bring back Jeter-mentality to the team? Share with us below.