96TH MLB ALL-STAR GAME

July 14, 2026

Cody Bellinger

Citizen's Bank Park

Press Conference

American League 4, National League 0

THE MODERATOR: Cody, do you want to introduce your --

CODY BELLINGER: This is my youngest daughter Cy. Say hi, Cy. Say hi, Caiden.

THE MODERATOR: Well, Dad is the Ted Williams All-Star Game MVP, which has a nice ring to it. We'll get started.

Q. Cody, the last time you were in an All-Star Game age 23 season. It was just your birthday, and now you're 31. A lot has changed since then. How special is it to be back here at the All-Star Game and be able to share it with family and cap it off with an MVP?

CODY BELLINGER: Pretty special. I really just -- you know, my first few years in the Big Leagues, I was here I think two of my first three years. I was, like, Oh, I'll be here every year. It took a long time to get back. It's such a competitive league.

It's hard to be an All-Star. You know, health, performance, it all has to come together. You know, I just really -- honestly, this one I just really enjoyed it.

Q. You're in company in terms of Yankees history with Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Giancarlo Stanton in terms of winning the All-Star Game MVP. How cool is that to be in that company?

CODY BELLINGER: It's special, man. Wearing this jersey, I feel proud wearing it. It comes with a lot. I just try to put my best foot forward every day and give it everything I got.

Q. Talk about the at-bat in that first inning. You know, bases loaded, two-out situation, and a guy like Sanchez and just the pitcher he is. Talk about being able to come through in that spot to give you guys a jump-start and get the win.

CODY BELLINGER: Yeah, baseball is a funny game. I mean, he's such a dominant pitcher and his stuff is so good. Really for me it was all the guys in front of me. Base hit, a walk, Bobby had a great at-bat in front of me. Saw eight pitches.

For me, bases loaded, two outs, I just try to keep it simple. Single up the middle. You know, the pitching today was just dominant. I mean, it was nasty. Hard to score some runs. You know, just try to stay within myself and just try to get the job done there.

Q. How would you describe Philly as an All-Star host city this week playing there over the years, and what was it like just over the past couple of days?

CODY BELLINGER: It's been amazing. It's been such a fun weekend. The atmosphere is always so amazing. You know, they love their players, man. It's so super special. You know, they're passionate about the other fans not on their team as well.

Just the atmosphere was incredible. It's fun to be here. It's a fun place to play, and it was just overall a really good weekend.

Q. As the game goes on and all these pitchers are shutting everyone down, does it dawn on you it's quite an accomplishment to get a hit like that on a night like tonight?

CODY BELLINGER: Yeah. You know, for sure. Especially against Sanchez. Yeah, you know, just the pitching was just dominant today, and it was like fifth or sixth inning. Keep your jersey on. You never know. I was just watching the game and just sitting in the locker room and just hanging out and just watching the game.

Q. Congrats, Cody, on winning the All-Star Game MVP. How does this fuel you for the rest of the season?

CODY BELLINGER: You know, I'm going to enjoy this right now, have an off-day, and then on Friday, it's right back to it. We got the Dodgers coming into the town. You know, try and win the division.

High hopes of going to the World Series, winning the World Series. You know, there's a long ways to go. I'm just excited to get it going.

Q. I'm curious, you first played in the All-Star Game in 2017. How would you say the All-Star Game experience has evolved since then?

CODY BELLINGER: I don't know. I feel like it's -- I mean, I feel like it's about the same. I remember my rookie year in Miami. There was cameras everywhere. There was people everywhere, and it was such a cool experience.

I think they do a good job of -- they make it exciting. You know, it's a busy two days for us and the families, but overall, it's a really good time.

Q. The moment in between innings, Cody, with the kids coming out on the bikes and you have your kids here this weekend. What does that moment mean for you guys, for the kids, and for everyone that was here tonight?

CODY BELLINGER: Yeah, you know, I think it was special. We do play a kids' game. We're all little kids at heart playing this game even though it's a challenging game. But ultimately, we all fell in love with the game at a young age. We're all still those little kids with big dreams. We're just out here playing a game, and it's always nice to have that perspective.

Q. Congrats on winning the All-Star Game MVP. What was your favorite part of this weekend?

CODY BELLINGER: I think my favorite part of this weekend was -- the Derby was a really cool experience. I had the kids on the field. It's kind of something you always saw on TV and wanted to experience. The red carpet was a fun experience.

And the game, I would say the game was just -- the game, it was good. It was fun. I enjoyed it.

Q. Following up on one of the previous questions about the atmosphere here, it can also be a pretty tough crowd. How do you think the Yankees will be received in two weeks here?

CODY BELLINGER: I imagine how we probably got received today along with a bunch of other people (smiling). But that's what makes Philly great. They love their team. They love their fans. Coming in, it's always a tough atmosphere, but you just got to be ready for it.

Q. I think about a week ago, we were talking to you probably grinding through one of your harder parts of the season. Now a week later you are on this stage with those players and winning the MVP. Is that a pretty big emotional swing for you?

CODY BELLINGER: Baseball is the craziest game in the world. It really is. Sometimes it's unexplainable. Yeah, going into the break, I actually was feeling pretty good. I felt like I was on the right track. You know, just continue to -- every day is a new day. It's not always going to be good. You just have to keep on putting your best foot forward and trying to become the best player you can be.

Q. Just with all the emphasis on the kids, which is great, do you remember the first time you made an All-Star team when you were a kid and what that felt like?

CODY BELLINGER: When I made an All-Star team?

Q. Yeah, way back when.

CODY BELLINGER: I was 21 years old. Is that what you're asking?

Q. No, as a kid when you were in Little League or travel ball.

CODY BELLINGER: Did I go to an All-Star Game?

Q. I'm sure you did. What was it like the first time you ever would have --

CODY BELLINGER: I think my first All-Star Game was when I made it in '21. I think so.

Yeah. Went to a lot of baseball games, but I didn't go to an All-Star Game. Not to my recollection, sorry. Is that true? (Laughing.)

Q. That's true.

CODY BELLINGER: All right.

Q. Cody, congrats. Just what was that celebration like with you and Ben with your RBI singles? Was it a little bit more animated today with it being the All-Star Game and you guys getting it against Sanchez?

CODY BELLINGER: Yeah. I mean, Ben has really just been doing it all year. He had a good Derby, hit some balls pretty far. I think he put on a show, put the world on notice. And he's such a good player. He's really smart. He's fun to talk hitting with, and he's just had a tremendous year.