DistantNews
Support us
MLB News: Joshua Baez makes history with extraordinary power debut
🇵🇦 Panama /Sports

MLB News: Joshua Baez makes history with extraordinary power debut

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Dominican outfielder Joshua Baez made MLB history by hitting three home runs in his debut game, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to an 8-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
  • Baez, 23, achieved the feat by hitting home runs in his first, fourth, and sixth innings at bat, becoming the first player to do so in a debut.
  • His performance also made him the second player since 1900 to hit home runs in his first two MLB at-bats, a feat previously accomplished by Bob Nieman in 1951.

Dominican outfielder Joshua Baez etched his name in Major League Baseball history on Saturday, becoming the first player ever to hit three home runs in his debut game. The St. Louis Cardinals celebrated an 8-4 win against the Chicago Cubs, largely thanks to Baez's extraordinary power display at Chicago's iconic Wrigley Field.

It's incredible, I can't put it into words. I tried to stay calm, enjoy the moment and just have fun.

— Joshua BaezDescribing his historic three-homer debut game.

Baez, who was selected by the Cardinals in the 2021 draft, connected for home runs in his first, fourth, and sixth innings at the plate. The 23-year-old expressed his disbelief and joy, stating, "It's incredible, I can't put it into words. I tried to stay calm, enjoy the moment and just have fun."

I didn't know I was going to hit three home runs in a game, after the second one I thought I could do it one more time.

— Joshua BaezReflecting on his performance during the game.

His remarkable debut also places him in elite company historically. Baez is now the second player since 1900 to hit home runs in his first two major league at-bats, a feat matched only by Bob Nieman in September 1951. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol praised Baez's performance, noting his "talent" and "power" that elevate the team.

They mean the world to me, I can only say that I wouldn't be here without them.

— Joshua BaezSpeaking about the support of his family.

The game was witnessed by approximately 35 special guests and family members, including his mother, who embraced him after the historic achievement. Baez, who moved from the Dominican Republic to the U.S. in sixth grade without speaking English, shared an emotional moment with his family, highlighting a story of perseverance. Panamanian players Iván Herrera and Miguel Amaya were also present, with Herrera playing for the Cardinals and Amaya for the Cubs.

It's really incredible. I think he has shown the talent, he has a lot of power and the reality is that it puts us a level above the others.

— Oliver MarmolSt. Louis Cardinals manager commenting on Baez's debut.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog