Cody Bellinger stars at MLB All-Star game, wins MVP award | Baseball News
Cody Bellinger Wins MLB All-Star Game MVP Amid Family Celebration
July 15, 2026
Cody Bellinger delivered an impressive performance at Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game, securing the Most Valuable Player award while his father, former MLB player Clay Bellinger, looked on proudly. Bellinger’s critical two-run single in the first inning helped the American League clinch a 4-0 victory on Tuesday night.
“It’s pretty cool to watch him win an award,” said Clay Bellinger, who played for the New York Yankees from 1999 to 2001. “Just being able to hang out is special.”
Cody Bellinger, who signed a five-year, $162.5 million contract with the Yankees last winter, has been a vital contributor to the team’s offense. His batting average dipped from .280 in mid-June to .254 prior to the All-Star break, with his last home run coming over a month ago.
“Baseball is the craziest game in the world. It really is,” Cody remarked after the game. “I felt like I was on the right track going into the break.”
Clay Bellinger, a former outfielder and infielder, won two World Series titles during his tenure with the Yankees before finishing his career with the Anaheim Angels in 2002. He expressed astonishment at his son’s achievements, stating, “I knew he was good, but not this good.”
Cody became the fourth Yankees player to earn All-Star Game MVP honors, joining the ranks of esteemed teammates Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and Giancarlo Stanton. “Wearing this jersey – I feel proud wearing it. It comes with a lot,” he said.
Born in 1994, Cody was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round in 2013. He made the All-Star team in 2017, receiving the NL Rookie of the Year title, and had a standout year in 2019 with 47 home runs and an NL MVP award. However, subsequent seasons saw struggles, marred by injuries that limited his performance.
Following a disappointing 2022 season, Bellinger signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs, where he rebounded, batting .307 with 29 home runs and 97 RBIs. In a surprise move, he chose to continue his career with the Yankees after testing free agency.
“He loves it there,” Clay said about his son’s commitment to the Yankees. “He loves the teammates, loves the city, loves playing in Yankee Stadium. So, it was kind of a no-brainer.”
After receiving the MVP award from Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, Cody was joined on the field by his wife, Chase, and their daughters, Caiden and Cy, for celebratory photographs. Clay Bellinger reflected on his son’s journey, stating, “You always hope for your kids to do well, whether it’s playing baseball or pursuing whatever they like to do. He’s been pretty good at it for quite a long time.”
