Cody Bellinger excited to join Yankees, dad's former team - ESPN

Cody Bellinger called his dad as soon as he could after learning that he was being traded to the New York Yankees — the same team that the elder Bellinger played for.

«It is truly wild,» Cody said on a Zoom call with reporters Thursday. «When I got the news, I called him, and he was very excited. He plays it all cool, but I know deep down he's really excited.

»My parents did a good job of bringing the camcorder around, and back when I was younger in high school or even before that, we would watch home videos. So that's how I remember it a lot through the camcorder, but I still have some very solid memories of it."

Clay Bellinger appeared in 181 games during his three seasons with the Yankees and was a member of their World Series-winning clubs in 1999 and 2000.

Clay and Cody Bellinger will become the fourth father-son duo to play for the Yankees, joining Yogi and Dale Berra, Ron and Ike Davis, and Mark Leiter and Mark Leiter Jr.

Cody Bellinger was acquired Tuesday by the Yankees in a trade that sent pitcher Cody Poteet and cash to the Chicago Cubs. The former National League MVP will replace Juan Soto near the top or in the middle of the Yankees lineup while potentially playing multiple positions.

In a phone conversation with manager Aaron Boone on Wednesday, Bellinger offered up his versatility.

«Whether it's left, center, if [Aaron] Judge gets a DH day, I'll play right,» Bellinger said. «Or if you need me at first base, I'll play first. And I enjoy doing that stuff.… Wherever they need me, I'm available and I like doing it and it excites me.»

Last season, Bellinger appeared in 49 games in right field for the Cubs, 48 in center and 22 at first base while batting .266 with 18 home runs.

Wrigley Field played big for