New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger was named the Ted Williams All-Star Game MVP after the American League’s 4-0 win in the 96th Midsummer Classic.
Bellinger drove in the game-winning run Tuesday with a two-RBI single in the top of the first inning off of Philadelphia Phillies ace Cristopher Sánchez.
He finished the game 1-for-3 with two RBIs before being removed in the sixth inning.
Bellinger, who turned 31 on Tuesday, is the fourth Yankees player to be named All-Star Game MVP, joining Derek Jeter (2000), Mariano Rivera (2013), and Giancarlo Stanton (2022). He’s also the third outfielder to earn it this decade, joining Stanton and Jarren Duran.
The award is the latest achievement for Bellinger during his recent career renaissance. This was his third career All-Star Game but the first since his NL MVP-winning season of 2019 while with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Two years later, he slumped to a .542 OPS and was non-tendered by L.A. in 2022.
Even this year, when he made it back as a reserve, he was only added to the starting lineup as an injury replacement for his Yankees teammate Aaron Judge.
“My first few years in the big leagues, I was here I think two of my first three years and I was like, ‘Oh, I’ll be here every year,'” Bellinger said postgame, per SNY. “Took a long time to get back. It’s such a competitive league. It’s hard to be an All-Star. Health, performance – it all has to come together.
“Honestly, this one, I just really enjoyed it.”
Bellinger made the 2026 AL All-Star team by hitting .254/.345/.421 with 11 homers, 51 RBIs, and 10 steals in 94 games during the first half.
