Joshua Báez makes history: The most impressive debut in Major League history
The prospect of Dominican descent, Joshua Báez, has made a triumphant entry into Major League Baseball that will go down in the record books. In his first meeting with the St. Louis Cardinals, Báez became the first player in MLB history to hit three home runs during his debut game.
The performance took place this Saturday at the iconic Wrigley Field, where the Cardinals prevailed 8-4 against the Chicago Cubs. Báez, who finished the day 3-for-4, not only showed his offensive power with three home runs, but also drove in five runs and scored three times, consolidating an unprecedented performance.
A day of statistical milestones
Báez’s display of power began from his first at-bat, when he dispatched the first pitch he received in the Majors. The hit reached a distance of 449 feet with an exit velocity of 108.6 mph.
- First home run: It came in his first at-bat, setting the tone for the game.
- Second home run: Hit in the third inning off Matthew Boyd (382 feet), it made him the ninth player in Major League history to hit two home runs in his debut.
- Third home run: In the sixth inning (368 feet), he cemented his place in history as the only player with three home runs in his first official game.
Additionally, Báez joined a select list by becoming the second player since 1900 to hit home runs in his first two at-bats in the same game, equaling the feat of Bob Nieman, achieved in 1951.
It’s surreal. Just playing baseball.
Joshua Báez after his historic performance.
The fans present at Wrigley Field recognized the magnitude of the feat, giving the young player a standing ovation in his fourth at-bat, even though he was retired on a line drive that time. After five years of hard work in the minor leagues, Báez has shown that he is ready to leave his mark at the highest level of professional baseball.
