PHILADELPHIA -- Cody Bellinger appeared in the All-Star Game twice within his first three seasons, and there was a time when he began to believe every summer would include an opportunity to mingle with the best of the best.
Having not participated in a Midsummer Classic since 2019, Bellinger says he has a deeper appreciation for everything involved in the festivities, taking special note this time because he’s now able to share it with his young family.
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The Yankees outfielder wasted no time creating fresh memories on Tuesday, boosting the American League to a quick lead with his two-run single in the first inning off Cristopher Sánchez of the Phillies.
The lead held up, the AL won the 96th MLB All-Star Game by a 4-0 score and Bellinger took home the All-Star Ted Williams MVP Award. He was the first Yankee to win the Award since Giancarlo Stanton in 2022. Mariano Rivera (2013) and Derek Jeter (2000) also won it for the New Yorkers.
Ben Rice followed Bellinger's hit with a run-scoring single, quieting a Citizens Bank Park crowd that had booed the Bombers duo lustily.
It marks the first time since 1962 that the Yankees had two players with at least one RBI in the All-Star Game. That year, it was Roger Maris and Tom Tresh, in the contest played at Chicago’s Wrigley Field.
An All-Star in 2017 and 2019 with the Dodgers, Bellinger said earlier Tuesday that he was savoring the chance to share the All-Star experience with his wife, Chase, and their daughters, Caiden and Cy.
He said his favorite memory -- at least, before the two-run single -- was sending his daughters to hug Rice at the end of his round in Monday’s T-Mobile Home Run Derby.
“It was really cool,” Bellinger said. “The kids are so tired, but it was so fun, man. I don’t know how much they’re going to remember, but I’m going to remember it all.”