MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) -Last weekend, Memphis Redbirds manager Ben Johnson delivered the news to top prospect Joshua Baez: Baez was going to the Major Leagues.
“It was just a big hug, it was a big hug. And we were in the clubhouse with the group, so once I told Josh that he was going to the big leagues, I let the rest of the team know and the space erupted,” Johnson said.
That moment was nothing compared to what happened in Baez’s first big league game.
In his debut Saturday against the Cubs, he hit the first pitch of his career 450 feet to dead center field at Wrigley Field.
“That’s what he brings, he brings big time power. And sure enough, he showed it on full display the first swing of his major league career,” Johnson said.
Baez hit a second home run in his second at-bat. Johnson said the second homer did not surprise him as he watched.
“Was watching him — the takes he was making, and was like ‘Oh boy, he’s seeing this guy really well right here, don’t hang a change-up or we might see another homer,’ and sure enough,” Johnson said.
Baez hit a third home run in his third at-bat, making him the first player in history with three home runs in his first career game.
Johnson was on the field in Durham getting ready for the Redbirds’ game that night when it happened.
“I honestly didn’t believe it, I didn’t believe it. Jason Steiner, our video tech, came out and said ‘He hit another one!’ I was like get outta here, there’s no way. And he’s like ‘No, there is a way, here it is,’” Johnson said.
Johnson was not watching the third home run, but Baez’s former teammates were. A video from pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje’s Instagram captured the moment the Redbirds’ players went crazy as their friend made baseball history.
“I couldn’t be happier for that young man, and I know a lot of people in this clubhouse that are really, really excited for him,” Johnson said.
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