In a night filled with adrenaline and excitement at PNC Park, young Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler made his Major League debut, marking a milestone in baseball history.
A Historic Debut
Chandler, known for his impressive speed and considered one of baseball’s most promising prospects, achieved an unprecedented feat. Pitching four scoreless innings and recording a save, he became the first pitcher to achieve this in his debut since saves were officially counted in 1969. “It’s something I always dreamed of,” Chandler declared after his performance, where he allowed only two hits and struck out three batters.Despite the excitement and adrenaline, Chandler admitted to feeling a bit overwhelmed at first. “I went blank in the first inning,” he commented.
The young pitcher showed his talent, with a fastball that reached 100 miles per hour, and had the support of a solid defense. Chandler struck out Ryan Ritter with a fastball that grazed the corner, and managed to get Tyler Freeman and Mickey Moniak out. The Pirates’ manager, Don Kelly, trusted Chandler for the ninth inning, and despite a single, he managed to close the game with three consecutive outs.
“For 22 years, I’ve only wanted to be on a Major League field and show what God gave me. And I think I did,” he affirmed.
Bubba Chandler