Cody Bellinger Embraces Call of Duty at Fanatics Fest, Bridging Sports and Gaming Worlds Cody Bellinger, the Yankees outfielder and recent All-Star Game MVP, found himself in an unexpected yet familiar role at Fanatics Fest in New York. The event, hosted by Activision, brought together athletes, gamers, and fans for a celebration of sports, entertainment, and gaming. Bellinger, known for his achievements in baseball, joined teammate Jazz Chisholm Jr. to compete in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, a game set to release on October 23. The experience took place in a sprawling 6,400-square-foot activation at the Javits Center, where fans gathered to witness athletes engage in the latest installment of one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. For Bellinger, the crossover between sports and gaming felt natural, reflecting a broader trend in professional athletics. Call of Duty has become a staple in locker rooms, with athletes across leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB routinely playing together online. The game’s massive global appeal—over 500 million copies sold and $35 billion in revenue—has cemented its place in sports culture, alongside postgame card games and team dinners. Bellinger echoed this sentiment, noting how his past teams often bonded through gaming. “Lots of my past teams, we all played together,” he said. “It’s fun. It brings you together. It brings out the competitiveness. You can talk smack.” Fanatics Fest itself served as a microcosm of this intersection, uniting athletes, entertainers, collectors, and gaming companies under one roof. Bellinger admitted he wanted to explore more of the event’s offerings, calling it “a really good time.#call_of_duty #jazz_chisholm_jr #cody_bellinger #activision #fanatics_fest
