The New York Yankees have had an up-and-down season. Luckily, they have had Cody Bellinger continuing to show up and show out.

On Wednesday, Bellinger etched his name into Yankees history against the Washington Nationals. In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Bellinger hit a two-run home run to straight away center field to put the Yankees up 3-0.

In the process, he put himself in the company of Joe DiMaggio. Bellinger, along with Aaron Judge and Trent Grisham, joins DiMaggio, Charlie Keller, and Tommy Henrich as three outfielders to hit 25+ home runs in a season.

The previous three did so in 1941. For DiMaggio, that was the year he achieved his historic 56-game hitting streak.

As of now, Bellinger is batting .279 with 25 home runs, 79 RBIs, and 133 hits. Meanwhile, the Yankees are 72-60 and in third place in the American League Central.

At this point, they are 4.5 games behind the first-place Toronto Blue Jays. In late 2024, the Yankees acquired Bellinger in a trade with the Chicago Cubs.

Altogether, he has provided a depth of defensive versatility at first base and in the outfield. Furthermore, Bellinger is an effective and dynamic presence on the base paths, with 11 stolen bases this year.

But is he a duplicate in his own right of the Yankee Clipper?

The comparison between Cody Bellinger and Joe DiMaggio

Throughout his career, DiMaggio was the essence of a five tool player. He could hit, hit for power, field, throw, and run.

The magnetism he exuded on the diamond made him immortal. When it comes to Bellinger, he has shown flashes of DiMaggio at the plate.

However, Bellinger is prone to slumps, whereas DiMaggio was largely consistent. Furthermore, he has a high strikeout total, with 60 this year and a high of 150 in 2022 with the Dodgers.

Also, Bellinger plays in an era where analytics rule the day. Whereas, DiMaggio played in an era where the difficulty to hit the ball was real.

More New York Yankees News
New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) and New York Yankees left fielder Jasson Dominguez (24) low five to celebrate the victory against the Washington Nationals after the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium.
Yankees extend insane streak with Nationals beatdownAbdullah Imran ·
New York Yankees right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) hits a two run home run in the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Yankee Stadium.
Yankees’ Cody Bellinger gives Giancarlo Stanton his flowers with ‘locked in’ claimJordan Llanes ·
New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) takes a lead during the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium.
Yankees’ Aaron Boone has defiant take on another hitless Anthony Volpe gameChristopher Hennessy ·
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) speaks to reporters before the game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Yankees manager Aaron Boone’s hilarious reaction to José Caballero’s stolen baseJedd Pagaduan ·
New York Yankees right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) hits a two run home run in the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Yankee Stadium.
Yankees’ Aaron Boone sounds off on Giancarlo Stanton’s fiery AugustJosh Davis ·
New York Yankees designated hitter Aaron Judge (99) runs to home plate in the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals at Yankee Stadium.
Why Yankees will clinch AL Wild Card spotZachary Howell ·