When Joshua Báez stepped onto the field for his historic Major League Baseball debut against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on a Saturday afternoon, very few fans outside of dedicated prospect-watchers knew what to expect. By the time the final out was recorded, the 23-year-old St. Louis rookie had rewritten the history books, becoming the first player in Major League history with three home runs in his first three plate appearances. Naturally, memorabilia collectors and historical institutions immediately started tracking down the gear from his unforgettable performance, with Cooperstown calling about his debut cleats—though as it turns out, those spikes were not his to give away.
The whirlwind afternoon began on the very first Major League pitch Báez ever saw. Facing Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd, the young player crushed a 93.4 mph fastball up in the zone, launching a two-run blast 449 feet to dead center field to put the Cardinals ahead 3-0. According to Statcast, that blast stands as the longest home run by any player in his 1st career plate appearance in the Statcast Era. FIRST PITCH! IN THE SHOW! BAEZ HOMERS!”
Báez wasn’t finished making an immediate impact. In his second trip to the plate, facing a full count, Boyd delivered a low changeup that Báez deposited 382 feet down the line for a solo shot, giving St. Louis a 4-3 lead. That feat made him the ninth player in MLB history—and the eighth in the modern era—to hit a home run twice in a regular-season debut, as well as just the third to do it in their first two at-bats. Then, in the top of the sixth inning with a 1-0 count, Báez tagged Boyd for a third time, driving an outside pitch deep into right field for a two-run homer that stretched the lead to 6-3. It is gone! It is gone! It is gone! Three homers for Báez! Major League history at Wrigley Field!”
The Calls From Cooperstown and the Cleat Confusion
Following such an unprecedented explosion of power, attention quickly turned to preserving the artifacts of the day. Enquiries arrived regarding the gear worn during the performance. However, Cooperstown called about Báez’s debut cleats—but they’re not his to give away.
While Báez eventually lined out to left field in his fourth plate appearance, the damage was already done, cementing an afternoon that left opposing broadcasters in disbelief. Chicago’s Jon “Boog” Sciambi remarked on Marquee Sports Network that it was as incredible a welcome to the Major League moment as anyone could have, while his broadcast partner Jim Deshaies humorously urged the rookie to “just retire right now.”
What Comes Next for the St. Louis Rookie
The immediate challenge for Báez will be handling the intense media spotlight and managing expectations. While opposing pitchers will inevitably make adjustments to counter his approach at the plate, the Cardinals’ rookie has firmly established himself as a name every fan across the league recognizes.
As the club transitions away from Wrigley Field and back into their regular schedule, fans and analysts will watch closely to see how the young star integrates into the everyday lineup. Be sure to share your thoughts on this historic performance and join the conversation in the comments below.
