In a season full of ups and downs for the New York Yankees, Cody Bellinger’s performance has become an offensive lifeline. In Wednesday’s game at Yankee Stadium, the former Cubs player hit a two-run homer against the Washington Nationals, bringing his total to 25 home runs on the season
With this hit, Bellinger joined a list that had not been updated since 1941. For the first time in more than eight decades, the Yankees have three starting outfielders with 25 or more home runs in a season. Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger now share that distinction with Joe DiMaggio, Charlie Keller and Tommy Henrich, who accomplished the feat during DiMaggio’s mythical 56-game hitting streak.
Is Cody Bellinger the new DiMaggio? Comparison between two eras of Yankee Stadium
While he equaled a mark where Joe DiMaggio’s name appears, the comparison between the two players goes beyond numbers. DiMaggio was a model of consistency, elegance and dominance in all facets of the game, in a much more challenging era for hitters. Bellinger, on the other hand, shines with his versatility and explosiveness, but suffers from unstable streaks and higher strikeout rates.
Even so, Bellinger has been a key element in the New York offense since he arrived in a trade with the Chicago Cubs in late 2024. With a .279 average, 25 home runs, 79 RBIs and 11 stolen bases, his value is not only in his bat, but also in his defensive ability both in the outfield and at first base, something that gives him a prominent place on the roster that is looking to revive old glories.
A historic feat that comes at just the right time for the Yankees
With a 72-60 record and in third place in the American League East, the Yankees remain in the hunt, 4.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. In a season where every win counts, performances like Bellinger’s inspire and revive a historic identity that seemed to be fading away.
Matching a record involving Joe DiMaggio is no small feat, so it remains to be seen whether this team can go beyond symbolism and build a stretch run that truly connects it with its legacy.
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