AL WILD CARD SERIES: RED SOX VS YANKEES

September 30, 2026

Cody Bellinger

Yankee Stadium

New York Yankees

Postgame Press Conference

Yankees - 9, Red Sox - 2

Q. Since you've been here with the Yankees, you've had a number of pretty cool moments that your dad was here to be a part of. Tonight was another one of them, catching the ceremonial first pitch and then having a big home run in a playoff game. Are you able to appreciate these days as they're happening? Or do you think these are things that you'll look back on later down the road to appreciate more?

CODY BELLINGER: No, I definitely appreciate it. I'm able to appreciate it in the moment. That was a cool moment, just a great game. Happy I was able to contribute, and we've got a lot more work to do.

Q. In recent years, you've been one of the best left-handed hitters in the game when it comes to facing left-handed pitching. Is there something about that for you that really clicks that helps you?

CODY BELLINGER: No secret sauce. For me, just take it as another at-bat. Felt like when I was playing baseball coming up, didn't hear too much about the match-ups. I was just playing baseball.

For me, it's just another at-bat, another at-bat to execute my plan.

Q. Yes, you have always hit left-handed pitching well. Guys usually play to their numbers, and your left-handed batters hit like over .500 against their left-handed pitchers. Is there something that you think was behind that kind of success left on left?

CODY BELLINGER: I think we have good dialogue. We have a talented team. And pitching did a great job of keeping the game close today to allow us to break out there at the end, yesterday and today. I think just good game planning and executing plans.

Q. When you hit the home run in the sixth inning, did you feel like you delivered the knockout blow? And what was it like circling the bases?

CODY BELLINGER: That was a cool moment. I feel like I was able to enjoy that one. Just a home game in Yankee Stadium, it's a really fun atmosphere. It's fun to play. And hopefully we get many, many more this month.

Q. As the postseason keeps getting longer, how do you balance celebrating a step like this while remaining focused for the several steps ahead?

CODY BELLINGER: You usually give yourself a night. You enjoy tonight. It's already 11:50, but enjoy the night. Off day tomorrow. And really tomorrow, in a way, it's right back at you.

Q. Did you guys give Spencer any ribbing for striking out twice in an inning and scoring?

CODY BELLINGER: I didn't realize that happened, but that was great hustle. Baseball is such a crazy game. Anytime you get on base, that was really impressive and lit a fire in our dugout for sure.

Q. I was going to say, a weird inning like that where you get to first on a strikeout, steal, error, bunts, all sorts of whacky things happened.

CODY BELLINGER: Baseball can be a whacky sport. You see something new every day. Just gotta keep on going out, playing. Great series, but we've got a lot more to do.

Q. Given how one-sided both victories were, what is the confidence level of this team going into the next series?

CODY BELLINGER: I think, step one, obviously win the series. Now gotta go into Tampa and play against a tough team.

But I think it was good. Obviously winning those type of games are better than close games. So it was good. A few off days and we've got to get right back at it.

Q. In both of these games in this series, you got some pretty outsized contributions from some young guys on the roster, from Cam and Ben last night to the plays made tonight, Spencer Jones, et cetera. What have those guys brought to the team? The Yankees are always looked at as kind of the big game hunters, signing big free agents, too, but they've developed all these impactful players as well?

CODY BELLINGER: Yeah, I think the team is built on a bunch of different guys, free agency trades, development in the system, and the young guys have done a tremendous job. It's been fun to watch. It's fun to watch them grow. And they've been a huge part of our success.

Q. Could you rate this performance tonight with your father in the house? Was this the greatest performance going back to Little League?

CODY BELLINGER: Man, it's a good feeling. I think that you enjoy it, but I feel like there's just so much more to do. So obviously enjoy the moment, understand how cool it is, but keep on going.

Q. Both in the field and in the dugout with you guys, how much more heightened is the concentration and the plate discipline and the intensity in these games and on May 30th or July 15th?

CODY BELLINGER: Yeah, you can't really compare the two, really. It's fun, though. It's fun to be a part of. It's meaningful, and we did a great job these last two games, so we've just got to keep on rolling.