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Clay Bellinger
Clay Bellinger
Clay Bellinger
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Clayton Daniel Bellinger (born November 18, 1968) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees and the Anaheim Angels, winning the World Series twice as a member of the Yankees. He was also on the 2002 Angels team that won the 2002 World Series but did not receive a championship ring since he only appeared in 2 regular season games.

Key Information

His son, Cody Bellinger, is also a professional baseball player who won the 2019 National League (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and won the 2020 World Series.

Early life

[edit]

A native of Oneonta, New York, Bellinger played shortstop for Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.

Career

[edit]

Bellinger was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the second round (44th overall pick) in the 1989 draft. His first 10 seasons of professional baseball were spent in the minor leagues, six in Triple-A. Before his first call-up as a 30-year-old in 1999, he played more than 1,000 minor league games. Bellinger played for the New York Yankees in 1999, 2000, and 2001. He played every position (including designated hitter) except for catcher and pitcher.[1]

In the ninth inning of Game 2 of the 2000 World Series, Bellinger was inserted in left field in place of David Justice. Bellinger reached up with his arm fully extended to rob the Mets' Todd Zeile of a two-run home run and preserve a victory for the Yankees. The Yankees released him when he became eligible for arbitration; Bellinger then signed with the Anaheim Angels.[1] He played two games at first base for the Angels in 2002, had one at-bat in which he struck out, and was eventually demoted to the minor leagues.

International career

[edit]

While playing in the Baltimore Orioles system in 2004, he was recruited by owner Peter Angelos to play for the Greek baseball team in the 2004 Summer Olympics held in Athens. Bellinger has Greek grandparents, and Angelos was in charge of the Greek national baseball team. In order to field a competitive team in the Olympics, Angelos made the decision to use experienced American players with mostly distant Greek ancestry (players' ancestry eligibility was allowed to date as far back as great-grandparents), as opposed to native Greeks due to their inexperience in a country where baseball was almost never played.[2] Bellinger agreed as he hoped it would earn him a September call-up to the Orioles' roster when the Olympics were over. The Greek team went 1–6 and failed to advance to the medal round. Bellinger was one of a handful of players on the roster with Major League experience, and the only player to have won a World Series ring. He was not promoted to the Orioles' roster after the games concluded.

After baseball

[edit]

Bellinger was the assistant coach of the Chandler, Arizona Little League All-Stars, who advanced to the 2007 Little League World Series.

As of 2017, Bellinger has been working for several years as a firefighter in Gilbert, Arizona.[3][4]

Personal life

[edit]

Bellinger and his wife, Jennifer, have a daughter, Ashli, and two sons: Cody, who plays for the New York Yankees[5] and Cole, who was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2017.[6] Clay pitched to Cody in the 2017 Home Run Derby.[3]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Clay Bellinger

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Clayton Daniel Bellinger (born November 18, 1968) is an American former professional baseball player best known for his time as a and outfielder in (MLB), including winning two championships with the New York Yankees. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) and weighing 195 pounds (88 kg), Bellinger batted and threw right-handed during his career. He is the father of fellow MLB player , forming the fourth father-son duo to both play for the Yankees. Bellinger was selected by the Giants in the second round (44th overall) of the 1989 MLB June Amateur Draft out of . After spending much of the 1990s in the across multiple organizations, including stints with the Giants, Rockies, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays affiliates, Bellinger signed with the Yankees in 1999. He made his MLB debut with the Yankees on April 9, 1999. During his three seasons with the Yankees from 1999 to 2001, Bellinger served as a versatile bench player, logging time at first base, third base, and in while contributing to the team's success in the postseason. He was on the roster for the championship against the (no appearances) and appeared in four games of the , helping secure the championship against the . Bellinger finished his MLB career with the Anaheim Angels in 2002, where he played 2 games at first base. Over 183 total MLB games, he compiled a .193 , 12 home runs, 35 RBIs, and a .614 ().

Early life

Upbringing and education

Clayton Daniel Bellinger was born on November 18, 1968, in . He spent his early years in this small city in , where he grew up in a close-knit community known for its rural charm and proximity to the Baseball Hall of Fame in nearby Cooperstown. Bellinger attended Oneonta High School, graduating in 1986. During his time there, he was recognized as one of the school's standout student-athletes, excelling in baseball and basketball; in basketball, he was a STAC All-Star and starting forward on a Section IV Class B runner-up team. Following high school, Bellinger enrolled at in , where he pursued higher education in a vibrant campus environment overlooking Lake Virginia. The liberal arts institution provided a diverse academic and social setting, fostering personal growth away from his hometown roots. After his time at , he was selected in the 1989 MLB Draft.

Amateur baseball

Clay Bellinger began his organized baseball career at Oneonta High School in his hometown, where he emerged as a standout multi-position player. As a pitcher and infielder, he contributed to the Yellowjackets' first Susquehanna Valley Athletic Conference (STAC) championship in 1985 during his junior year, serving as the winning pitcher in the title game. That season, Bellinger batted .328 while securing six pitching victories. His junior year highlight came on April 8, 1985, against Chenango Valley, when he pitched seven innings with 12 strikeouts, batted in four runs with two home runs, and stole two bases. As a senior in , Bellinger continued to excel, earning recognition as a two-time STAC All-Star and the Oneonta Daily Star Player of the Year. He set a school record with six home runs that season—a mark that stood until 2013—while dominating on the mound with 76 strikeouts and just five walks over 48 innings. Bellinger advanced to Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, where he honed his skills as a over three seasons. His versatility across positions, combined with consistent performance at the plate and in the field, drew attention from professional scouts, culminating in his selection in the second round (44th overall) of the 1989 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants directly from Rollins. During his amateur career, Bellinger's ability to contribute both offensively and defensively underscored his potential as a .

Playing career

Minor leagues

Clay Bellinger was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the second round (44th overall) of the 1989 Major League Baseball Draft out of Rollins College, where he had excelled as a versatile infielder during his amateur career. He signed with the Giants shortly thereafter and began his professional journey in the low minors, starting with the short-season Class A Everett Giants in 1989, followed by the full-season Class A Clinton Giants in 1990 and the Class A Advanced San Jose Giants in 1991. Bellinger progressed to Double-A with the Shreveport Captains in 1992 before reaching Triple-A for the first time with the Phoenix Firebirds from 1993 to 1995, where he honed his skills across multiple positions, including shortstop, third base, first base, and outfield. After becoming a following the 1995 season, Bellinger signed with the Baltimore Orioles and played the 1996 campaign at Triple-A Rochester, batting .301 with 15 home runs and 78 RBIs in 125 games. He entered free agency again that and joined the New York Yankees organization in 1996, spending 1997 through 2001 at Triple-A Columbus, where he posted a standout .321 in 2000 amid 126 total minor-league home runs across his career. Later moves included a 2002 minor-league contract with the Anaheim Angels (Triple-A ), a return to the Giants at Triple-A Fresno in 2003, and a final stint with the Orioles' Triple-A in 2004. Over his 16-year minor-league tenure from to , spanning 1,309 games and 5,394 plate appearances, Bellinger compiled a .253 with 1,226 hits, 126 home runs, 621 RBIs, and 81 stolen bases, demonstrating durability despite early struggles with consistency, such as sub-.220 averages in his first two full seasons. His versatility across infield and roles was a key asset, though a in the minors delayed his major-league debut until 1999, marked by frequent organizational shifts and the challenges of adapting to higher competition levels without a fixed position.

Major leagues

Clay Bellinger made his debut on April 9, 1999, with the New York Yankees, entering as a defensive replacement at first base during a game against the Detroit Tigers. As a , he provided depth across multiple positions, appearing in 32 games that season with a .200 , 1 , and 2 RBI in 45 at-bats. His role emphasized versatility and situational contributions rather than everyday play. During his tenure with the Yankees from 1999 to 2001, Bellinger batted .193 overall, recording 12 s and 35 RBI across 343 plate appearances in 181 games. He served primarily as a and defensive substitute, logging notable moments such as his first career hit on April 14, 1999, against the Baltimore Orioles and a on June 5, 2000, that propelled the Yankees to a 7-6 victory over the in . Defensively, he showcased reliability in and infield, contributing to the team's championship runs. Bellinger was part of the Yankees' World Series-winning rosters in 1999 and 2000, earning rings despite limited postseason action; he appeared in four games across the (1 AB total), while logging 2 at-bats across two games in the 2001 Fall Classic loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Following the 2001 season, the Yankees released Bellinger on January 17, 2002, after which he signed a minor-league contract with the Anaheim Angels on February 7. He appeared in just 2 games for the Angels early in 2002, managing 0-for-1 at the plate with no home runs or RBI, primarily as a defensive option at first base. Although part of the Angels' organization during their World Series-winning campaign, Bellinger was released before the postseason and did not qualify for a championship share. Over his four-year MLB career spanning 183 games with the Yankees and Angels, Bellinger posted a .193 , 12 home runs, and 35 RBI in 311 at-bats. His utility value was evident in his ability to play every position except and , including spots (left, center, right), infield roles (first, second, third base, shortstop), and . This adaptability made him a valuable bench player during New York's dynasty era.

International play

After retiring from following the 2001 season, Clay Bellinger continued playing in the with the organization in 2004, when he was recruited by team owner to join the Greek national baseball team for the Summer Olympics in . Bellinger qualified through his Greek grandparents, part of a broader effort by , who oversaw the Greek squad, to assemble a competitive roster of American players with distant Greek heritage to represent the host nation. Bellinger participated as an in the tournament, appearing in seven games during the preliminary round. He recorded a 1-for-6 batting performance while providing fielding support for the team, drawing on his utility experience from MLB to contribute defensively. The Greek team, largely composed of such expatriate talent, managed just one victory in the round-robin stage—a 12–7 win over —before finishing seventh overall and being eliminated from medal contention without advancing to the semifinals. The 2004 Olympics marked baseball's inclusion as a full sport since 1992, though it would be discontinued after the 2008 Games due to concerns over its global popularity and professional player participation. For Bellinger, the event represented a unique post-MLB opportunity to compete internationally and honor his ancestral roots, despite never having visited prior to the tournament; he later described the experience as a chance to help build the sport in the host country while enjoying the honor of Olympic competition.

Post-playing career

Coaching roles

After retiring from professional baseball, Clay Bellinger served as an assistant coach for the Chandler National Little League All-Stars team from , in 2007. As the first-base coach under manager Jeff Parrish, Bellinger helped guide the team through a successful season that culminated in an appearance at the in South Williamsport, . The Chandler team dominated the West Region Tournament, finishing with a perfect 4-0 record to advance to the . In the tournament proper, they posted a 2-1 record in Pool B of the bracket, securing victories over the Mid-Atlantic representative (16-6 on August 18) and the Midwest representative (9-2 on August 22), while suffering a loss to the Southwest representative (1-5 on August 19). This performance advanced them to the United States Championship game, where they fell 6-16 to Warner Robins American Little League from Georgia on August 23, but their run highlighted strong offensive play and competitive spirit under Bellinger's guidance. Bellinger's coaching philosophy, informed by his MLB utility role that demanded adaptability across positions, emphasized fundamentals such as versatility, disciplined effort, and maximum hustle on every play. He instilled lessons like running out every ground ball and avoiding complacency—"you never know who’s watching"—using a stern "Clay stare" to correct lapses in focus among players. These principles, drawn from his experiences contributing to two New York Yankees titles as a multi-positional contributor, focused on building a strong and team-oriented play in youth athletes. Beyond the 2007 team, Bellinger continued mentoring youth players by coaching local teams through high school levels and participating in instructional clinics. In recent years, he has served as a guest coach at Kado Baseball summer camps in , where he shares MLB-honed techniques on hitting, fielding, and game preparation with young participants.

Firefighting and real estate

After retiring from in 2004, Clay Bellinger relocated his family to , where he initially pursued a career in before transitioning to . He spent a couple of years selling residential properties in the Gilbert area, leveraging his local connections to assist clients with home transactions. Bellinger joined the Gilbert Fire Department as a full-time firefighter around 2006, completing the necessary training to become a certified firefighter in . By 2017, he had served for more than a decade, responding to emergencies including structure fires, medical calls, and rescue operations in the growing . His role involved teamwork similar to his baseball days, contributing to community safety in Gilbert, a known for its rapid expansion. As of 2025, Bellinger has been with the department for over two decades, continuing to balance demanding shifts with his commitment to . In recent years, Bellinger has returned to as a licensed realtor in , affiliated with firms such as Gentry Realty and 1ST USA Realty in the Gilbert and Chandler areas. He specializes in residential properties, helping buyers and sellers navigate the competitive housing market in Maricopa County. This dual career allows him to maintain flexibility post-MLB, integrating duties with real estate transactions while remaining rooted in Arizona's East Valley communities.

Personal life

Family

Clay Bellinger has been married to Jennifer Bellinger since 1994, and the couple resides in , where they have built a deeply connected to . Jennifer has worked in and ministry roles, supporting the 's pursuits in Arizona. The Bellingers' Greek ancestry, tracing back to Clay's great-grandmother from , has influenced heritage and even Clay's eligibility to represent the national team in international competition. The couple has three children: daughter Ashli, born in 1992, and sons Cody, born July 13, 1995, and Cole, born October 12, 1999. Ashli, who played collegiate at and earned a in professional counseling from , works as a licensed therapist. She is married to Kurt Korver and has children of her own. Cody Bellinger followed in his father's footsteps as a Major League Baseball and , earning the 2019 National League Award with the and contributing to their championship. In 2025, he played for the New York Yankees, the same team his father once suited up for. Following the 2025 season, Cody elected free agency on November 4, 2025. Cole Bellinger pursued a career as a , drafted by the Padres in the 15th round of the 2017 MLB Draft out of Hamilton High School and playing in the before retiring. Throughout Clay's MLB tenure, Jennifer and the children provided steadfast support, frequently attending games and maintaining a close-knit family dynamic amid his travels. The family's emphasis on athletics extended to the children's own pursuits, with Cody and Cole developing skills on the diamond while Ashli excelled in . Clay and Jennifer have since become grandparents; Cody and his wife, , have two daughters, Caiden (born 2021) and Cy (born 2023), whom Clay has joined at family events like Cody's 2025 Yankees debut.

Recent public appearances

In August 2025, Clay Bellinger participated in the New York Yankees' Old-Timers' Day event at , where he joined other former players for on-field ceremonies and shared insights on his experiences with the team alongside his son, . During the event, the father-son duo discussed their respective tenures with the Yankees in an interview with YES Network's , highlighting the generational connection to the franchise and Clay's role in the championship team. The following day, on August 10, 2025, Bellinger threw a to Cody during a Yankees home game against the Houston Astros, a moment that underscored their shared legacy and drew widespread attention from fans and media. This appearance symbolized the passing of the torch within the family, with Clay, a for the Yankees from 1999 to 2001, pitching to his son, who had recently signed with the team as an . Earlier in the 2025 season, Bellinger attended Cody's major league debut with the Yankees on March 29, 2025, watching from the stands as his son took the field against the Milwaukee Brewers, further elevating Clay's visibility through family ties to the organization. These engagements have contributed to Bellinger's increased public profile in recent years, particularly as Cody's prominence with the Yankees has brought renewed focus on his father's contributions to the team's history. Bellinger maintains an active presence on , where he occasionally shares updates on his life as a grandfather, retired , and professional in , often intersecting with nostalgia.

References

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  2. https://www.mlb.com/player/clay-bellinger-150083
  3. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bellin001cla
  4. https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/4011/clay-bellinger
  5. https://www.thedailystar.com/sports/local_sports/cody-bellinger-follows-in-dads-footsteps/article_bae85f27-f5f4-5248-9069-fac8ca6d02a0.html
  6. https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/2519/sectioniv/2403082/HOF_Class_of_2001.pdf
  7. https://www.milb.com/player/clay-bellinger-150083
  8. https://www.coopercrier.com/sports/national_sports/cody-bellinger-follows-in-fathers-footsteps/article_0f2059d6-93d2-5e9e-95c8-0a634cb30186.html
  9. https://www.greatest21days.com/2011/11/clay-bellinger-broke-down-844.html
  10. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=bellicl01
  11. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jun-05-sp-37652-story.html
  12. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/19910240/qa-clay-bellinger-dad-dodgers-phenom-cody
  13. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-feb-13-sp-olympics13-story.html
  14. https://www.nydailynews.com/2004/05/02/its-all-greek-to-them-greeces-philosophy-fill-olympic-squad-with-american-players/
  15. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Clay_Bellinger
  16. https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/108304
  17. https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2004-baseball-olympic-games/stats
  18. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/2004_Olympics
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  26. https://nypost.com/2025/03/07/sports/cody-bellinger-still-using-baseball-lessons-taught-by-father/
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  28. https://www.kadobaseball.com/team-kado-programs/camps-clinics/
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  32. https://nypost.com/2017/11/03/bellingers-have-ruled-october-baseball-for-almost-20-years/
  33. https://bleedingyankeeblue.blogspot.com/2016/04/exclusive-interview-clay-bellinger.html
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  37. https://www.instagram.com/bells3512/?hl=en
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  39. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KCBuwUsXrI
  40. https://www.nytimes.com/library/sports/baseball/102999bba-araton-column.html
  41. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bellico01.shtml
  42. https://www.milb.com/player/cole-bellinger-676374
  43. https://vanguardlions.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/ashli-bellinger/1535
  44. https://allaboutthatbasedotcom.wordpress.com/2020/05/22/touching-home-with-ashli-bellinger-korver/
  45. https://www.mlb.com/news/cody-bellinger-2019-nl-mvp-award
  46. https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/betts-bellinger-power-dodgers-game-1-win-rays-world-series/
  47. https://www.mlb.com/player/cody-bellinger-641355
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  50. https://www.mlb.com/news/clay-bellinger-attends-son-cody-bellinger-s-yankees-debut
  51. https://people.com/who-is-chase-carter-cody-bellinger-7852557
  52. https://www.yesnetwork.com/video/cody-and-clay-bellinger-on-yankees-old-timers-day
  53. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7r_2Ai27C4
  54. https://www.mlb.com/yankees/video/clay-bellinger-throws-out-first-pitch
  55. https://www.si.com/mlb/cody-bellinger-catches-first-pitch-from-dad-wholesome-moment-yankees-game
  56. https://www.ksat.com/sports/2024/12/19/cody-bellinger-experienced-world-series-title-with-dad-clay-at-old-yankee-stadium/
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