Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Cody Bellinger bounced back from an inconsistent sophomore campaign to enjoy one of the best individual seasons in franchise history en route to 2019 National League MVP honors.
He set a plethora of records at the plate, hitting an overall .305/.406/.629 with 34 doubles, 47 home runs and 115 RBI across 558 at-bats during the regular season. Bellinger accumulated a career-high 9.0 WAR (Baseball-Reference) and led the league with 351 total bases.
The 24-year-old additionally thrived with his glove and arm, appearing at three different positions for the Dodgers in 2019. He received the majority of his playing time in right field, where he won his first career Gold Glove Award. Bellinger also became the first player in MLB to win a pair of Fielding Bible Awards in the same season.
In a year that was full of highlights and memorable moments, DodgerBlue.com has ranked Bellinger’s best plays from his MVP season. The list continues at No. 8, when Bellinger threw out San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford from right field while additionally setting an MLB record for most RBI before the start of May.
What do we say to people that run on @Cody_Bellinger? Not today. pic.twitter.com/xq56hEevaK
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 30, 2019
Making history.
Last night, @Cody_Bellinger picked up his 37th RBI before May 1, the most in @MLB history. He already set the record for total bases before May 1 prior to the road trip. pic.twitter.com/io45qeFA4w
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 30, 2019
After holding the Dodgers scoreless through the first two innings of play, the Giants looked to get on the board following a leadoff walk by Crawford. Kevin Pillar responded with an opposite field single to right field, which was fielded by Bellinger, who promptly uncorked a 91.7 mph strike to third base to cut down Crawford.
The outfield assist was Bellinger’s NL-leading fourth of the season. He later contributed with his bat in the sixth inning, pulling an RBI single to right field to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.
It was Bellinger’s 37th RBI of the season — the most by any player in MLB history before the start of May. The record was previously held by Mark McGwire and Juan Gonzalez, who both recorded 36 RBI prior to May 1 during the 1998 season.
Best Cody Bellinger Plays From 2019 NL MVP Season
No. 10: Home run on bobblehead night
No. 9: First multi-home run game of the season
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events and more!
