Cody Bellinger made headlines on Friday night by becoming the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit three home runs in his first game against his former team. The New York Yankees outfielder torched the Chicago Cubs, the club that traded him during the offseason, in a performance that will be remembered for years.
Traded for pitcher Cody Poteet earlier this year, Bellinger wasted no time making the Cubs regret their decision. After flying out in his first at-bat, the 2019 National League MVP launched a pair of home runs in the third and fifth innings, followed by a third blast in the eighth. His final line featured home runs measuring 371, 376, and 380 feet, respectively.
The Yankee Stadium crowd gave Bellinger a curtain call following his third homer. He nearly had a fourth, but a deep drive in the seventh inning was robbed at the wall by Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker.
Bellinger’s powerful night wasn’t just about revenge; it added to what has already been a standout season in pinstripes. Since he joined the Yankees as a replacement for Juan Soto, who departed for the New York Mets, Bellinger has delivered consistent offense. Through 86 games, he has belted 16 home runs and slashed .285/.340/.498.
After he revived his career with the Cubs, which followed a dip in form post-2019 MVP game with the Dodgers, Bellinger signed a three-year, $80 million deal with Chicago and opted in for this season before being moved to New York. He holds a player option for next year, but with the way he’s performing, the Yankees may push to keep him beyond 2025.
As for Cody Poteet, the pitcher he was traded for never played a single game for the Cubs. After being designated for assignment, he landed with the Baltimore Orioles but remains sidelined on the injured list after appearing in just one game this season.
