PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – “I’m proud of myself for never giving up, even though the circumstances. I’m just proud of myself because I never give up. I keep going and keep going.”
That’s Pirates catcher Shawn Ross who homered in his first MLB start as part of an 8-7 Pirates win over the Cubs Sunday afternoon. The 26-year-old was signed as a non-roster invitee after playing college in NAIA and kept believing through independent baseball.
It wasn’t just a home run, but a 438-foot bomb to the second deck in left field at PNC Park.
“Oof. I almost cried,” Ross said. “I didn’t know if I wanted to scream. I have no words to describe it. I was really happy.”
It came with the score tied at one in the second inning, with Ryan O’Hearn at second base.
“Oh man, I didn’t know he had it like that,” O’Hearn said. “I didn’t know he had juice like that. That was impressive. I was on second — as soon as he hit it, I was like ‘Woah.’ Really happy for him, and big homer for us.”
“I got sneaky pop, you know. It felt good,” Ross said.
He became the fifth catcher to start a game for the Pirates this year. After trading Joey Bart and injuries to Rafael Flores and Endy Rodriguez, it gave Ross the opportunity. He then took advantage of it.
Buc Notes as Pirates beat Cubs
“How about Shawn Ross?” said Pirates manager Don Kelly. “Just coming up, what a journey he’s been on, from NAIA to independent ball, to get to the big leagues. I’m glad I had my glasses on because I think I teared up when he hit it. It was unbelievable for him to have that moment. It was a huge hit in the game.”
“It’s something that he’s going to remember forever,” said Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft. “When you get to the big leagues, it’s something that you aspire to do from a very early age, but being able to come in, first hit, second at-bat, being able to put one out of the yard, that’s something that he’s going to remember forever and his kids are going to tell their friends about.”
“Just unbelievably happy for him. Good to see him. Good to see everybody that has come up this year contribute, but it’s certainly something that we’re all celebrating with him.”
On top of all this, Ross’ mom and dad were here from Puerto Rico to witness it. He said they rarely get to the United States, and while he didn’t physically see them during the game, it ramped up the emotion. And then to get all of the texts from friends and family back in Puerto Rico as he checked out his phone after the game. It was those people that kept telling him not to give up.
“My family, my friends, my coach from school,” Ross said. “They always knew I had the talent to come up here. Just myself. Every bad situation I went through, I just kept going.”
Now after all of that work and perseverance, a magical day in Pittsburgh. A proud Puerto Rican homering wearing a Pirates uniform and hitting a home run in what could be a pivotal win for this team.
“I still don’t believe it, to be honest,” Ross said. “I’m still recovering from that. It just feels awesome.”
