Bellinger Shines as MLB's Star of Stars... Earns All-Star Game MVP Honors

Game-winning 2-RBI Single in the First Inning

All-Star Comeback Complete After 7 Years

American League Cruises to 4-0 Victory

Cody Bellinger of the New York Yankees has become the star of Major League Baseball (MLB)'s All-Star Game.

On July 15th (KST), at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bellinger recorded 1 hit in 3 at-bats and collected 2 RBIs—including the game-winning hit in the top of the first inning—during the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, earning MVP honors for the first time in his career. The American League (AL) defeated the National League (NL) 4-0. With this victory, the AL avenged last year's loss and has now improved its overall All-Star Game record to 49 wins, 2 draws, and 45 losses.

Bellinger, who started as the American League's sixth batter and right fielder, produced a 2-RBI, bases-loaded single to center field off a sinking fastball from NL starter Christopher Sanchez of the Philadelphia Phillies with two outs in the top of the first inning.

Cody Bellinger of the New York Yankees is celebrating after being named MVP at the 2026 MLB All-Star Game. Philadelphia=Photo by Reuters

Bellinger said, "When I played in my first All-Star Game, I thought I would be here every year. But it actually took a really long time to come back." He continued, "I never imagined I would earn MVP with just one hit in the first inning, but it truly is an honor. I will never forget this moment for the rest of my life."

Bellinger was once considered an annual All-Star. He made his big league debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 and won the National League Rookie of the Year award. In 2019, he batted .305 with 47 home runs and 115 RBIs, winning the National League MVP award.

However, his brilliant run did not last long. In 2020, he struggled with multiple injuries and underperformed. In 2021, he landed on the injured list three times and finished the season with a batting average in the .100s. After being released by the Dodgers at the end of the 2022 season, he bounced back completely after moving to the Chicago Cubs in 2023 and then to the Yankees in 2025.

This year, Bellinger hit 11 home runs and drove in 51 RBIs in the first half, earning All-Star honors for the first time in seven years since 2019. Although he was originally listed as a reserve, he was added to the starting lineup when his teammate Aaron Judge and Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins withdrew due to injuries.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.