Cody Bellinger: Superstar!
So, let s get right to it. The guy many of you wanted to be benched, sent to OKC, or even executed drove in the only two Dodger runs yesterday. I wish this were a stock market site because I would get the consensus of opinion and then do exactly the opposite. I would make a fortune going against the conventional thinking I read on this site. Corey Seager is not
So, let’s get right to it. The guy many of you wanted to be benched, sent to OKC, or even executed drove in the only two Dodger runs yesterday. I wish this were a stock market site because I would get the consensus of opinion and then do exactly the opposite. I would make a fortune going against the conventional thinking I read on this site.
- “Corey Seager is not a good shortstop.”
- “We should trade Max Muncy and get someone better.” (that was early)
- “Mookie Betts may be on the decline.”
- “Trade AJ Pollock for Joc Pederson.”
- “Kenley Jansen can’t close anymore.”
- “Kenley Jansen can’t close on consecutive days.”
- “Julio Urias is not a starter.”
- “Andrew Friedman does not know how to build a bullpen.”
- “We need Kike back instead of CT3.” (that was early)
- “Cody Bellinger needs to go.”
If I had only bet the opposite way, I would have reaped a fortune. Then I hear that Bellinger’s surgery was not that invasive and that his problems are between his ears. The persons who said that probably have years of experience in playing at a high level in MLB, so I guess I should bow down to that… or maybe it was said by someone who has never played anything except checkers and has no clue what it takes to play at this level. I’ll take the latter for $600,!
Cody Bellinger has had shoulder issues since his rookie year, but in 2019 and 2020 the shoulder popped out several times, however in Game 7 of the Braves-Dodgers Series, Cody again dislocated it with Kike Hernandez celebrating a home run. “Now Belli knows not to mess with people who are way stronger than him,” Hernández quipped after the game. He played through it and was largely ineffective, which led to Surgery in Mid-November.
Let’s establish the fact that since the second half of 2019, Cody Bellinger has been limited by his dislocated shoulder and subsequent surgery. He has not been a superstar since then, however, I still say he is a superstar. Here’s why: From 2017 until the present day, Cody Bellinger is #25 in all of MLB in WAR. OK, Big Deal you say. Well, it is a big deal, because in over half of that time period, Cody Bellinger has been impaired by his shoulder. “But it was minor surgery.” Yeah, minor surgery is what happens to someone else. Give that a rest!
During the second half of 2019, all of 2020, and again all of this season, Cody Bellinger has been battling shoulder issues, whether that be dislocation or surgery and recuperation. Well, that does not sound too easy, but then let’s include a severe hamstring strain and a broken leg. Well, Damn… that sounds like a big deal. YET HE IS STILL TOP 25 IN WAR during that time. Do you know why? Because he is a superstar!
I swear that I have tried to not call people morons. I have really tried… but when I see a moron, am I supposed to say it’s a flower or a horse? Sorry, but if you think Cody Bellinger is chopped liver, well, you are a moron! I do not suffer fools. It’s a fault of mine. Sorry if I offended you, but I do not depend upon this blog for money, like just about every other blog out there that has six hundred ads that you have to try and navigate. I say what I believe… not what you want to hear. You can even disagree with me but have a take and do not suck! I am not always right, but I do get my fair share of things correct.
I have dislocated my shoulder on several occasions about 25 to 30 years ago. After the first time (when you are paralyzed with pain) it gets a lot easier. I never had surgery, but, to this day, when I write on a Whiteboard, it pops in and out and drives me stark raving mad. I can’t do it write very long on a whiteboard. Cody Bellinger knows of what I speak. This was from a week ago:
A week ago, Cody said he was feeling better, and I am sure he is, but sometimes as you get over anything, you look back and realize how it just took longer than you thought. I was made painfully aware of that when I recovered from COVID-19. I was in the hospital for just a week, but it took me three to four months before I fully recovered my strength. I thought I was OK, but looking back several months later, I realized how far I had came. The same is true with any surgery or injury. Sometmes it takes longer than you think it should.
You compensate. You develop bad habits. Something hurts or is uncomfortable so you alter what you are doing. Maybe you don’t even realize it, but your mechanics are just off. These things take time to sort out. Essentially, Cody Bellinger has had two and a half great years and two and a half poor years. Yet he is still TOP 25 in WAR in that period. Let’s look at OPS. Below is the chart of how you rank players according to OPS. For his career, Cody Bellinger has a ,875 OPS. It was over .900 before the start of this season. Mookie Betts career OPS is .899. Justin Turner is .841.
There is an old saying in baseball, “If you did it once, you can do it gain.” Cody Bellinger may not get back to his superstar status THIS season. I don’t expect that… but it could happen. However, just like yesterday, you will see flashes of his greatness. And yes, some of it is between his ears. It does get into your head and you are fighting a physical and mental battle. Cody Bellinger will win both battles, but like anything, progress in not predictable or linear. Human beings play this game and Cody is human. Sometimes it is one step forward and two steps back.
The Dodgers feed off of Cody Bellinger’s energy. Even when he is slumping, he hustles in the field and on the bases. He runs out gound balls as hard as he can. He slides, dives and puts all his energy to what he does. I admire that! He doesn’t let his poor results at the plate affect the rest of his game. He also has perspective. When asked about hitting 8th, he said he was surprised the pitcher wasn’t hitting ahead of him.
If you happen to believe that Cody Bellinger is stubborn, uncoachable and won’t listen… well you aren’t paying attention. You can talk to anyone around the Dodgers and Cody is working hard in the weightroom and in the batting cages. He is talking with the hitting coaches an working and working. We saw a glimpse of what Cody can do yesterday and I think we will begin to see more of it. I can’t predict when he will fully break out, but if it’s not this year and he has to be platooned… so be it. I have not lost faith in Cody Bellinger.
Dodger News
- Yesterday’s game was just one of those where you have to turn the page.
- David Price does not look comfortable… I can’t put my finger on it.
- The Bazooka is frustrating at times, but I do see progress as he learns to pitch and not just throw. When he puts it all together, watch out!
- The Dodger Brass evidently belive that Shane Green has some mechanical issue that can be easily fixed… OK, if you say so. I remain unconvinced.
- Joe Kelly pitched a clean inning in Rancho last night and struck out 1 batter. He threw 7 pitches, 5 for strikes.
- Jorbit Vivas continues to rake at RC. He is now hitting .311 with a .389 OB% and a .905 OPS.
- After hitting .295 at RC, Eddys Leonard is hitting .381 at GL. Like Vivas, he is still only 20.
- Mike Busch was 2-4 with a double and his 16th HR for Tulsa yesterday.
- I guarantee the Dodgers will not lose tonight.
- The Padres are reeling. The Dodgrs just need to knock them out of the race.
- This should be fun!
Young Folks
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Discussion (111)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Superstars come cheap these days if you think Cody is a Superstar. I trust you had your tongue in cheek when you said this.
2019: I will agree with this….Cody was a superstar in 2019!
He had 115 RBIs, 1.025 OPS and a .305 BA.
2017 He was close to be a superstar:
He had 97 RBIs; .933 OPS; but only a .267 BA.
But I would call that a very good year, not superstar.
2018 he was just okay to good:
76 RBIs; .814 OPS; .260 BA
Definitely not a superstar
2020 he was less than average.
30 RBIs; .789 OPS; .239 BA
Definitely not superstar
2021 he is poor
31 RBIs; .594 OPS; .174 BA Yikes!
Definitely not superstar
Career stats:
349 RBIs over 4 years (not really 5)= 87 average (very good)
.875 OPS (very good)
.262 BA (mediocre)
Conclusion: clearly 4 of the 5 years he was not a superstar. His career stats do not reflect superstar status either. His last two years, although battling injuries, have been less than mediocre. Cody has one of 5 years where he was a superstar, so we should give him that. But to be a superstar, you have to be consistent. One of five years does not reflect the consistency demanded.
This begs the question….What have you don’t for me lately?
Answer: Not very much
Maybe it’s better to say this….”Cody can be a superstar when healthy and when he learns to hit with two strikes.”
I remain,
TM
Mike Trout is a superstar. Bellinger is a very good player with great skills who has not reached that status yet. But he is still a kid baseball wise. He can still reach the heights. All he needs is consistency.
You guys may be using the same word for two different things.
A superstar has talent and flair, and usually bursts onto the scene capturing a large following in a relatively short time. Cody certainly fits that description.
It seems to me that some of you are conflicting that with a star who performs over time that would bring him into the discussion of all time greats. Cody may or may not ever be part of that discussion. That will take more time.
Just a thought.
Sorry Dodgerrick, but I agree with your analogy about your shoulder surgery vs Belli’s. I’m not sure if you were 24 when you got cut on, but it stands to reason that age would be a contributing factor towards a full recovery. I’m also thinking there’s more than a slight chance you didn’t get the benefit of having access to the best surgeons like Belli had.
Many pitchers recover from a torn labrum these days and it’s definitely harder for a pitcher than it is for a position player. Urias and Ryu both made recent and full recoveries.
I don’t see the point of comparing Cody to one of the top 5 hitters the game has ever seen either. But, I will point out that Bellinger’s age 21 and age 23 seasons were better than Hammering Hank’s, so there’s still hope for Belli.
You also keep saying he’s has two bad years which is untrue and you know it is because I’ve mentioned it several times. Over the last “two years” he’s only had 1/3 of a season. So, he’s really only been “Bad” for 1/3 of year, since a .789 OPS isn’t exactly bad especially when you’re glove days you’re a great defender in CF.
OK, in case you are wondering, I write a little edgy deliberately to stimulate conversation.
Otherwise you end up with very few commenters at sites like __________________ (I won’t name them).
By writing what I did, I am not trying to stifle conversation but rather, stimulate it. You are all free to disagree and even say “Anyone who thinks Bellinger is a superstar is a moron.” 😉
Insofar as to what DodgerRick said, I can tell you what I think good music is (it’s highly subjective), but I can’t tell you how to make it. Some people have an innate ability to do that but it generally takes years of training.
Medicine, Law, Politics, and other disciplines can be learned, but having a Law Degree is not proof that someone knows anything. I know a lot of really dumb attorneys, doctors, bloggers, water specialists, and especially politicians.
I will say that if you have had shoulder surgery, then you understand some of what Cody is going through, but if you have not been in the Minor or Major Leagues, you probably have very little clue what goes on (Jeff D does not count). Phil Jones has, so he gets a pass!
Eric made the comment that Kenley Jansen had blown 5 games. That’s true.
It’s also true that he saved 27.
Did you know Blake Treinen has blown 4 saves?
He has also saved 4.
Is anyone telling me that Treinen is a better option? If so, explain your math. Kenley has saved 27 out of 32 while Treinen has saved 4 out of 8. Mathematically speaking, Kenley is better!
How many blown saves do the Giants have this year? 24
How many blown saves do the Dodgers have this year? 24
Go figure!
I have played music, and sang for most of my life. Pretty good at it, but, I never had any formal training. I also play guitar, but I cannot read music. Kinda dumb huh? I never took music theory or any voice lessons. But I have near perfect pitch, and my tempo and rhythm are always on. If you are singing, I can harmonize with you almost immediately. That comes from being able to get to your key simply by ear. All of these things have come naturally to me. Some people have that, most do not. But try as I may, I never could hit a high fastball. Either in high school, or fast pitch softball where it gets on you pretty fast. SO when a major league ballplayer, who has skills I will never have, struggles. I try to be a little less critical. Doesn’t always happen, but I try. I also try to not get frustrated when all the negative Nelly’s come out of the wood work. Not always successful at that either. But, that is what life is. Ups and downs, highs and lows.
All I am saying about Cody Bellinger is that unless you have played at its level, it is very hard to comprehend what it takes… mentally and physically!
I have been doing this blog for about 20 years and I cannot tell you that most times when a fan wants to get rid of a certain player, that’s the player the team wants to keep. I know that Doc, Andrew, and the Dodger Brass know a lot more than I do, so if they keep rolling him back out there, they have a pretty good idea he is going to overcome whatever is holding him back. I may not know crapola, but I am confident the Dodger Brass does and the people who irk me are those who pretend to have a clue.
Señores todos los que amamos a los Dodgers estamos de acuerdo que Belli esté con el equipo, si es o será una superestrella no tiene importancia, me daré por satisfecho si el muchacho recupera 100% su salud, el resto vendrá por si solo, es mi opinión. No tiene sentido estar debatiendo sobre quien sabe o puede más, el se recuperará y el tiempo dirá la respuesta sobre el status deportivo de Belli.
So, who comes off of the roster when Kelly, Urias and Mookie are activated this week???? Food for thought.