Cody Bellinger’s first MLB All-Star Game appearance in seven years was worth the wait.
The New York Yankees star outfielder played a pivotal role in the American League’s 4-0 victory over the National League in the 2026 edition of the Midsummer Classic Tuesday night at the Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa.
With the bases loaded in the first inning, the former National League Most Valuable Player got the better of Philadelphia Phillies ace Cristopher Sanchez, ripping a two-run RBI single to put the AL ahead, 2-0.
The American Leaguers ultimately topped the NL, 4-0, with Bellinger getting named as the game’s Most Valuable Player when it was all said and done.
The 31-year-old Bellinger cherished the night and the opportunity to play alongside the best players in the game today.
“You never know when it’s gonna be your last,” the three-time MLB All-Star said during a postgame interview with SportsCenter. “I just try to enjoy it as much as possible.”
“You never know when it's gonna be your last. … I just try to enjoy it as much as possible.”
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 15, 2026
Cody Bellinger on his MLB All-Star Game experience and being named MVP ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/IEOyi7C1rH
Bellinger won the NL MVP in just his third season in the MLB in 2019, while still with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made the All-Star that year, but it was not until 2026 that he got the nod to participate in the event again, thanks to a decent season so far with the Yankees, who inked him to a 5-year, $162.5 million contract in January.
So far in 2026, Bellinger is hitting .254/.345/.421 with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs across 94 games.
