PHILADELPHIA, PA — Cody Bellinger’s memorable Tuesday which ended with him being named MLB’s 2026 All-Star Game MVP, going home with the Ted Williams Award, did not start at Citizens Bank Park.
It all began hours before and more than three miles away from the ballpark as the New York Yankees outfielder made a fashion statement on MLB’s All-Star Red Carpet alongside his wife Chase Carter and their two daughters Caiden and Cy.
Bellinger, 31, appearing in his third-career All-Star Game (2017, 2019, 2026), with Tuesday evening in the City of Brotherly Love easily his most satisfying one—put the American League on the board first in the opening frame of the 96th Midsummer Classic—smacking a two-run single off Phillies’ left-hander Cristopher Sánchez.
That was all the AL All-Stars needed at the plate, mowing down the National League to win by a final score of 4-0.
“Pretty special,” said Bellinger of winning the ASG MVP, becoming just the fourth Yankee all-time to do so. “My first few years in the Big Leagues, I was here (in the ASG) I think two of my first three years. I was like, ‘Oh, I’ll be here every year.’ It took a long time to get back. It’s such a competitive league.
It’s hard to be an All-Star. You know, health, performance, it all has to come together. (During) this one, I just really enjoyed it.”
On joining his teammate in pinstripes Giancarlo Stanton (2022), along with icons Mariano Rivera (2013) and Derek Jeter (2000) as the only Yankees to leave a MLB All-Star Game with MVP hardware, Bellinger said:
“It’s special. Wearing this jersey, I feel proud wearing it. It comes with a lot. I just try to put my best foot forward every day and give it everything I got.”
Following the steps of his father Clay, who played for the Yankees from 1999-2001, Cody landed in the Bronx back in December of 2024 after being dealt from the Chicago Cubs.
Cody Bellinger inked a contract extension with the Yankees during the offseason for a total of $162.5 million over five years – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Since arriving, he has become a fan-favorite on both sides of Yankee Stadium’s diamond—playing in 246 games across two seasons while flashing the leather and posting a slash line of .265/.338/.458 with 40 home runs and 149 RBI.
However, as of recently, in his last 12 games, hitting .204 (10-49 with two walks), Bellinger had gone cold in the batter’s box. And without Aaron Judge (fractured right rib) and Stanton (right calf strain) returning to the lineup until further notice, his slump was a drastic one, impacting the middle of the Bronx Bomber lineup.
Making an impact in a game that includes the best players the sport has to offer—not including Shohei Ohtani and Judge—could be just what Bellinger needed as the Yankees (54-42) host the Dodgers (61-35) in the Bronx for a three-game series starting this Friday to begin their post All-Star break run/unofficial second half of the regular season.
The last time the Dodgers were in Yankee Stadium, Los Angeles won Game 5 of the 2024 Fall Classic to clinch the World Series, their first in LA’s back-to-back run (2024 & 2025) – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
“I’m going to enjoy this right now, have an off-day, and then on Friday, it’s right back to it,” Bellinger said with the Yankees trailing Tampa Bay for the AL East lead by three games.
“We got the Dodgers coming into town. You know, try and win the division. High hopes of going to the World Series, winning the World Series. There’s a long ways to go. I’m just excited to get it going.”
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