Jul 14, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; American League New York Yankees center fielder Cody Bellinger (35) celebrates after a two RBI single during the first inning against the National League at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
All signs pointed to Cody Bellinger developing into a perennial All-Star when he broke into the majors a decade ago. Then a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, he had as good an opening three-year stretch ever, nabbing two All-Star Game selections, winning Rookie of the Year in 2017, and NL MVP honors two years later.
But then came the injuries and the struggles that followed. The Dodgers wrote him off following the 2022 season, and two years with the Chicago Cubs suggested he was working his way back toward an elite level of play.
Now in his second season with the Yankees, he got the call to the Midsummer Classic despite a less-than-inspiring stat line: .254/.345/.421 (.766 OPS), 11 home runs, 51 RBI in 94 games.
“My first few years in the big leagues, I was here two of my first three years, and I was like, ‘Oh, I’ll be here every year,’” Bellinger said. “Took a long time to get back. It’s such a competitive league, and it’s hard to be an All-Star. Health, performance, it all has to come together. This one, I just really enjoyed it.”
He made the most of it with a two-out, two-run single off Phillies ace Christopher Sanchez in the first inning, which was enough to stand as the game-winner in a 4-0 American League victory over the National League at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
“Baseball’s a funny game,” Bellinger said. “He’s such a dominant pitcher and his stuff is so good… Bases loaded, two outs, I just tried to keep it simple. Single up the middle. The pitching today was just dominant. It was nasty. Hard to score some runs. Just try to stay within myself and get the job done there.”
With it, Bellinger became the fourth Yankee ever to win All-Star Game MVP honors, joining Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and Giancarlo Stanton.
“Wearing this jersey, I feel proud wearing it,” Bellinger said. “It comes with a lot. I just try to put my best foot forward every day and give everything I’ve got.”
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