Joshua Baez Makes MLB History With Three-Homer Debut as Cardinals Beat Cubs
CHICAGO — St. Louis Cardinals rookie Joshua Báez produced one of the most remarkable Major League Baseball debuts in recent memory Saturday, becoming the first player in MLB history to hit three home runs in his first three at-bats.
The 23-year-old outfielder delivered the historic performance at Wrigley Field as the Cardinals defeated the Chicago Cubs 8–4. Báez finished the game with three home runs and five RBIs, immediately establishing himself as one of the biggest stories in baseball.
Báez’s extraordinary afternoon began with his very first career plate appearance. Facing Cubs starter Matthew Boyd, he launched a 449-foot home run on the first pitch he saw in the major leagues. He later added another home run in the fourth inning before completing the historic three-homer performance with an opposite-field shot in the sixth.
His three home runs came to different parts of the ballpark, demonstrating the power and hitting ability that had made him one of the Cardinals’ highly regarded prospects. The performance also made Báez only the fourth visiting player to homer in his first at-bat at Wrigley Field.
The Cardinals did not rely solely on Báez’s power. Blaze Jordan and Alec Burleson also homered, while pitcher Michael McGreevy provided a strong start, allowing no earned runs over six innings to earn the victory. Burleson’s home run was his 20th of the season.
The Cubs briefly fought back when Michael Conforto hit a three-run homer, tying the game, but St. Louis regained control and pulled away. Boyd ultimately suffered his first loss of the season after allowing seven runs.
Báez entered the majors after a powerful season with Triple-A Memphis, where he had led the league with 34 home runs and 90 RBIs in 103 games. His immediate success at the major-league level now gives the Cardinals another potent offensive weapon as they pursue their postseason ambitions.
Báez’s debut was historic not simply because he hit three home runs, but because he did it in his first three major-league at-bats—a feat no player had accomplished before. MLB described him as the first player ever to hit three homers in his debut game.
For the Cardinals, it was a memorable victory over their longtime rivals. For Báez, it was an extraordinary introduction to the major leagues that instantly placed his name in MLB history.
Source: ESPN — Cardinals rookie Joshua Baez makes history with 3 HRs in debut
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