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Cody Bellinger ties National League record for home runs by a rookie

Los Angeles Dodgers v Washington Nationals Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images

Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger tied an 87-year-old National League record on Saturday, hitting his 38th home run of the season, the most home runs ever hit by a National League rookie.

Bellinger, whose solo blast was hit against A.J. Cole of the Nationals in the second inning, is now tied with Wally Berger of the Boston Braves (1930) and Frank Robinson of the Cincinnati Reds (1956) for the senior circuit mark.

Only two American League rookies have ever hit more home runs — Mark McGwire holds the major league record with 49 homers for the Oakland A’s (1987), and Aaron Judge has 43 home runs and counting this season for the New York Yankees.

Bellinger leads all National League rookies in home runs (38), RBI (87), runs scored (83), slugging percentage (.612) and OPS (.970), and is second in stolen bases (10) and third in walks (56).

His 38 home runs are the most hit by any Dodger — rookie or otherwise — since Matt Kemp hit 39 in 2011. The 38 home runs are the 15th-most hit in any season by a Dodger, with Bellinger the youngest of the group:

Most home runs in a season, Dodgers

Player Year Age HR
Player Year Age HR
Shawn Green 2001 28 49
Adrian Beltre 2004 25 48
Duke Snider 1956 29 43
Gary Sheffield 2000 31 43
Duke Snider 1953 26 42
Gil Hodges 1954 30 42
Duke Snider 1955 28 42
Shawn Green 2002 29 42
Roy Campanella 1953 31 41
Gil Hodges 1951 27 40
Duke Snider 1954 27 40
Duke Snider 1957 30 40
Mike Piazza 1997 28 40
Matt Kemp 2011 26 39
Cody Bellinger 2017 21 38
Age is as of June 30 of season in question Source: Baseball-Reference

The last Dodger to hit 40 home runs was Adrian Beltre, with 48 home runs in 2004.