CHICAGO — Joshua Báez hit a remarkable milestone by smashing the first pitch he saw in the majors approximately 450 feet. With a grin towards the St. Louis dugout, he began his home run trot. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol remarked on the extraordinary moment, “There was a calmness and a smile, like, ‘I’m here.’” Marmol noted it was rare for him to pause and enjoy such moments, but Báez’s debut demanded attention.
Báez achieved a feat unseen before. He became the first player to hit a home run in each of his first three major league at-bats, leading to the Cardinals’ 8-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.
Called up from Triple-A Memphis before the game, Báez had a strong support system at Wrigley Field. A contingent of 30 family members, including his mother Yris, watched his accomplishment. After the game, they gathered on the field for photos despite the rain.
“It’s just unreal,” Báez commented. “To not only get a hit, but three home runs? It’s crazy.”
His debut was marked by skill and flair. The first home run came on the initial pitch he faced from Matthew Boyd, traveling an estimated 449 feet into the left-center bleachers. In his next at-bat, he sent another solo shot down the left-field line, followed by a third in the opposite direction, resulting in five RBIs.
Major League Baseball confirmed Báez was the first in modern history to achieve such a feat, though pre-1901 records are incomplete.
“He hit three different pitches for home runs and had a great game. He beat us for sure,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said.
Báez demonstrated significant power in the minors this season. Leading all Triple-A players with 34 home runs and achieving four multihomer games, his call-up was much anticipated.
He became the ninth player to debut for the Cardinals this year. Furthermore, Báez is the 11th St. Louis player to homer in his first career at-bat since Lane Thomas in 2019 and the sixth in club history to do so on the first pitch. Former Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright last achieved this in 2006.
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