Báez Blasts Into History: A Debut for the Ages
AI-generated image · US National Wire
St. Louis rookie Joshua Báez makes MLB history with three home runs in his first three career at-bats during a dominant showing at Wrigley Field.
Listen, I've seen a lot of debuts in my time, but what we saw Saturday was something else entirely. Joshua Báez just gave us a glimpse of the kind of raw, electric power that makes you remember why you fell in love with this game in the first place.
As first reported by The Guardian, the 23-year-old left fielder was called up from Triple-A Memphis earlier in the day, only to immediately rewrite the record books. In a stunning display of power, Báez became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit three home runs in his first three career at-bats. He didn't waste a second, launching the very first pitch he saw in the majors into the bleachers at Wrigley Field.
Báez's historic afternoon powered the St. Louis Cardinals to an 8-4 win over the Chicago Cubs. The Guardian reports that Báez tagged pitcher Matthew Boyd for all three of his homers. The onslaught began in the first inning with a two-run shot to left-center field. After the Cubs tied the game in the second, Báez struck again in the fourth, sending a full-count pitch down the left-field line. He capped the performance in the sixth with another two-run homer to the opposite side of the field, finishing the day with five RBIs.
While the spotlight was on the rookie, the Cardinals had other help. The Guardian notes that Blaze Jordan and Alec Burleson both contributed solo home runs. Jordan's blast ended the day for Matthew Boyd, who surrendered seven runs on five hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings. Burleson's home run came in the eighth inning off Colin Rea.
On the mound for St. Louis, Michael McGreevy earned his first win since July 8. The Guardian reports that McGreevy pitched six innings, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out six. Though he gave up three runs, all three were unearned.
As for the Cubs, who had entered the game having won nine of their last 11, Michael Conforto provided a spark with a three-run home run that briefly tied the game at 3-all in the second inning.
In terms of franchise history, The Guardian points out that Báez is the first Cardinals player to hit a home run in his first career plate appearance since Lane Thomas achieved the feat in June 2019. But making it three in the first three? That's a different kind of magic.