History of Cody Bellinger in Timeline

Cody Bellinger is a professional baseball outfielder and first baseman currently playing for the New York Yankees. Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013, he made his MLB debut with them in 2017. He also played for the Chicago Cubs before joining the Yankees. Bellinger is a notable figure in contemporary baseball.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1913: Reference to Historical Dodgers Fact

In reference to his intentional walk, it was mentioned that since 1913, Cody Bellinger was the third Dodger to be intentionally walked in his MLB debut.

1956: Reference to Historical Dodgers Fact

In reference to his intentional walk, it was mentioned that since 1913, Chico Fernández in 1956 was a Dodger to be intentionally walked in his MLB debut.

1963: Reference to Historical Dodgers Fact

In reference to his intentional walk, it was mentioned that since 1913, Dick Nen in 1963 was a Dodger to be intentionally walked in his MLB debut.

1978: Bob Horner's Multi-Home Run Record

On June 13, 2017, Cody Bellinger became the fastest player in MLB history to record four multi-home run games in 45 contests, breaking the previous record set by Bob Horner in 1978 with 63 games.

1988: Dodgers Last World Series Win

The Dodgers last won the World Series in 1988 before their 2020 win.

July 13, 1995: Cody Bellinger's Birth

Cody James Bellinger was born on July 13, 1995, in Scottsdale, Arizona, to Clay and Jennifer Bellinger.

1999: Clay Bellinger Plays for Yankees

From 1999, Clay Bellinger, Cody's father, played for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB).

2002: Clay Bellinger Leaves Yankees

In 2002, Clay Bellinger no longer played for the New York Yankees.

2003: Miguel Cabrera's Championship Series Home Run

During the 2017 National League Championship Series, Cody Bellinger became the youngest player to homer in a Championship Series game since Miguel Cabrera in the 2003 NLCS.

2004: Consecutive Multi-Home Run Games

In June 2017, Cody Bellinger was the first Dodger to have consecutive multi-home run games since Adrián Beltré in 2004.

2007: Little League World Series Berth

In 2007, Cody Bellinger helped clinch a berth in the Little League World Series (LLWS) with a four-runs batted in (RBI) performance.

2008: Chase Utley's Record Reference

In April 2019, Cody Bellinger surpassed Chase Utley's 2008 record for total bases by the end of April.

2013: Dodgers Draft Bellinger

In 2013, Cody Bellinger was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round of the MLB draft.

2013: Drafted by the Dodgers

In 2013, the Los Angeles Dodgers selected Cody Bellinger in the fourth round of the MLB Draft, and he chose to sign with the Dodgers, foregoing his commitment to play college baseball for the Oregon Ducks.

2015: Joins Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

In 2015, Cody Bellinger joined the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, becoming a mid- and postseason all-star and helping the team to a California League championship title.

2015: First Full Year in Minor Leagues

The 2015 season was Cody Bellinger's first full year in the minor leagues, playing for the Class A-Advanced Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. He was also named the California League Championship Series MVP after helping the Quakes to a Cal League championship title.

2016: Rookie Career Development Program

During the 2016–17 MLB offseason, Cody Bellinger and Jose De Leon received an invitation to the MLB/MLBPA Rookie Career Development Program in Leesburg, Virginia.

2016: Season with Tulsa Drillers and Oklahoma City Dodgers

In 2016, Cody Bellinger opened the season with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, missed part of the season with a strained hip, and was later promoted to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers on September 3.

2016: Hip Injury Delays Rise

In 2016, a hip injury delayed Cody Bellinger's rise through the Dodgers' farm system.

April 2017: Called up to Major Leagues

In April 2017, Cody Bellinger was called up to the major leagues to bolster a struggling outfield.

April 25, 2017: MLB Debut

On April 25, 2017, Cody Bellinger was called up by the Dodgers and made his MLB debut, getting his first major league hit that night.

2017: Begins season with Oklahoma City

In 2017, Cody Bellinger began the season with Oklahoma City before receiving a call-up to Los Angeles.

2017: Postseason Debut

In 2017, Cody Bellinger made his MLB postseason debut and became the youngest Dodger to hit a postseason home run. He set an MLB record with 29 strikeouts in a single postseason run and won the NL Rookie of the Year Award.

2017: MLB Debut with the Dodgers

In 2017, Cody Bellinger made his Major League Baseball debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2017: MLB All-Star Game and Rookie of the Year

In 2017, Cody Bellinger participated in the MLB All-Star Game and Home Run Derby, and he was named the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year.

2018: NL West Title and Postseason

In 2018, Cody Bellinger helped the Dodgers capture the NL West title and was named the NLCS MVP. However, he struggled in the World Series, which the Dodgers lost to the Boston Red Sox.

2018: Second Season and Adjustments

In 2018, Cody Bellinger hit the first home run of the season. After being benched in June, he made adjustments to his stance and recorded six hits in his next 13 at-bats.

2018: NLCS MVP

In 2018, Cody Bellinger was named the MVP of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) after helping the Dodgers reach the World Series.

April 2019: MLB Leader and Player of the Month

By the end of April 2019, Cody Bellinger led MLB in multiple categories and broke Matt Kemp's record for single-season home runs by a Dodger through April. He also received Player of the Month honors for April 2019.

2019: MVP, Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger Awards

Cody Bellinger finished the 2019 season with career highs and received the MVP award, the NL Gold Glove Award, and the NL Silver Slugger Award. He also received two Fielding Bible Awards and was selected to the All-MLB First Team.

2019: Contract Signing and Swing Tweaks

During the 2019-2020 MLB offseason, Cody Bellinger signed an $11.5 million contract with the Dodgers for the 2020 season. This broke the record for largest single-season contract for a player in his first year eligible for arbitration.

2019: NL MVP, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove

In 2019, Cody Bellinger received the NL MVP, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove Awards, as well as his second All-Star selection.

2019: All-Star Game Nod and Start

In 2019, Cody Bellinger was a frontrunner for the NL MVP Award by the All-Star break and received his second All-Star game nod and first All-Star start. He opened the game in the NL outfield and declined an invitation to the Home Run Derby.

2019: First MLB Game Ejection and 100th Career Home Run

On July 24, 2019, Cody Bellinger received his first MLB game ejection after arguing with an umpire. On August 2, 2019, he hit his 100th career home run, breaking a Dodgers record. He also became the first MLB player of the 2019 season and the youngest Dodger to record his 40th home run. However, his production slowed after the All-Star break.

November 2020: Shoulder Surgery

In November 2020, Cody Bellinger underwent surgery on his right shoulder after repeatedly injuring it throughout his career. He dislocated his shoulder celebrating his NLCS-winning home run.

2020: Season Struggles and Offensive Decline

In 2020, Cody Bellinger experienced a slow start to the pandemic-shortened season and saw a drop in his overall numbers, including batting average and slugging percentage, due to constant experimentation with his swing. He was also a finalist for a Gold Glove Award.

2020: World Series Win

In 2020, Cody Bellinger won his first World Series title with the Dodgers over the Tampa Bay Rays.

2020: Playoff Berth, Defensive Play, and World Series Championship

In 2020, the Dodgers clinched a playoff berth and eventually won the World Series. Cody Bellinger made a crucial defensive play in the NLDS and hit a go-ahead home run in the NLCS. He continued to play in the World Series despite a shoulder injury. In 1988, the Dodgers last won the world series before 2020.

2021: Contract Extension

After the 2020 season, Cody Bellinger signed a one-year, $16.1 million contract with the Dodgers for the 2021 season.

2021: Injury and Return

In 2021, Cody Bellinger recovered ahead of schedule from shoulder surgery but suffered a hairline fracture in his left fibula after colliding with a pitcher. He returned in May, extending his on-base streak.

2021: Career-Worst Year

In 2021, a number of injuries caused Cody Bellinger to have a career-worst year in home runs and batting average.

December 14, 2022: Signs with the Chicago Cubs

On December 14, 2022, Cody Bellinger signed a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2024 with the Chicago Cubs.

2022: Last Player of the Week Honor Until Now

Cody Bellinger's last Player of the Week honor was in 2022 until being named the American League Player of the Week on September 2nd, 2025.

2022: Non-Tendered by Dodgers

In 2022, after another down year, Cody Bellinger was non-tendered by the Dodgers.

2022: Contract, Performance decline and Free Agency

On December 23, 2022, Cody Bellinger signed a $17 million contract with the Dodgers, avoiding salary arbitration. In 2022, Bellinger had a low on-base percentage and batting average and struck out 150 times. After the season, he was non-tendered, becoming a free agent.

July 2023: Named National League Player of the Month

In July 2023, Cody Bellinger was named the National League Player of the Month. During that span, he hit eight home runs, had 24 RBIs, and a .400 batting average.