Yankees teammates make history in first inning of All-Star Game

New York Yankees' Ben Rice (right) and Cody Bellinger (left). IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Yankees teammates make history in first inning of All-Star Game

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Jul 15, 2026 2:44 PM ET

The New York Yankees were represented extremely well in the first inning of the 2026 MLB All-Star Game. A pair of Yankees teammates teamed up to accomplish something for just the second time in MLB ASG history.

Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice join rare company

According to OptaSTATS , Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice are just the second pair of teammates to each drive in a run in the first inning of an All-Star Game.

Bellinger and Rice joined legendary Cincinnati Reds teammates Joe Morgan and George Foster, the first duo to accomplish the feat in the 1977 All-Star Game.

Bellinger was the first to get the American League on the board, delivering a two-out, two-run single to make it a 2-0 game in the top of the first inning. It was the first All-Star Game appearance for Bellinger since the 2019 season.

The American League is on the board first thanks to Cody Bellinger pic.twitter.com/i99fIYgZpL
— MLB (@MLB) July 15, 2026

After watching his teammate get the scoring started, Rice figured it was his turn to join the fun. He delivered a run-scoring single to give the AL its third run of the first inning. Rice was both appearing and starting in the All-Star Game for the first time in his young career. Bellinger and Rice each got another at-bat after their RBI hits, and neither reached base again.

Ben Rice follows Cody Bellinger with an RBI knock of his own pic.twitter.com/5EDII9JDSU
— MLB (@MLB) July 15, 2026

While New York awaits the return of superstar right fielder Aaron Judge, it will need Bellinger and Rice to continue to carry the load offensively to keep it within distance of the AL East leader, the Tampa Bay Rays.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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