New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger had an unforgettable night on Friday against his former team, the Chicago Cubs. At Yankee Stadium, Bellinger hit three home runs, powering the Yankees to a dominant 11-0 victory. According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, Bellinger became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit three homers in his very first game against a former team.
This game also marked the first time in Bellinger’s career that he hit three home runs in a single game. He nearly added a fourth but was denied by a spectacular catch from Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker. The 2019 National League MVP, who will turn 30 on Sunday, extended his impressive hitting streak to 16 games, batting an exceptional .406 over that span.
Heading into Saturday, Bellinger held a strong season line of .285 batting average, .340 on-base percentage, and .498 slugging percentage. He has already tallied 16 home runs and 54 RBIs in his first year with the Yankees. Despite speculation about his contract status—he has an opt-out option this fall—Bellinger’s focus remains on the field after this historic performance.
Bill Ladson also noted that Bellinger became the 29th player in Yankees history to hit at least three home runs in a regular-season game. He is only the third player to achieve this feat for the Yankees this season, joining Aaron Judge and José Domínguez. This underscores the rarity and significance of Bellinger’s achievement.
Following his third home run, Bellinger was rewarded with his first-ever curtain call at Yankee Stadium, a fitting celebration of a career milestone. The night was a memorable one for the outfielder, marking a standout moment in his ongoing season with the Yankees.
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