*This content was translated by AI.
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Joshua Baez (23) made history by hitting three consecutive home runs in his debut game, the first time this has ever occurred in Major League Baseball (MLB) history. The spikes he wore during that historic debut will be permanently preserved at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
On the 16th (Korean time), Baez started as the fifth hitter and left fielder in an away regular-season game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He delivered a spectacular performance with 3 hits in 4 at-bats (all home runs), 5 RBIs, and 3 runs scored, leading his team to an 8-4 victory.
Baez's bat was hot from the very first at-bat. In the top of the first inning, with the team leading 2-0 and two outs with a runner on first base, Baez faced opposing starter Matthew Boyd. He crushed Boyd's first-pitch fastball over the center-field wall for a two-run home run.
Later, in the top of the fourth inning with the score tied 3-3, Baez led off and hit Boyd's changeup, sending a solo shot to left field.
That was not the end. In the top of the sixth inning, with his team leading 4-3 and one out, Baez targeted Boyd's slider and launched another two-run home run over the right-field wall.
Baez is also the first rookie in MLB history to hit three consecutive home runs in a debut game, as well as the first to hit three home runs in a single debut game.
After the game, Baez said, "I can't believe it. It's unbelievable to record three home runs instead of even just hits," expressing his overwhelming emotion.
Baez was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the second round, 54th overall, in the 2021 MLB Draft.
This season, before being called up to the major leagues, Baez played 103 games in Triple-A of the minor leagues, recording a .256 batting average, 34 home runs, 90 RBIs, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.901.
The story behind the equipment was also revealed. According to MLB's official website, MLB.com, Baez entered the game wearing borrowed gear instead of his own.
Teammate Brian Torres reportedly saw Baez's worn-out equipment and said, "You can't go into your debut looking like that. You should dress up nicely in our team color, red," so he gathered equipment to give to Baez.
First, Baez borrowed spikes from infielder Blaze Jordan, who has the same shoe size. He then wore batting gloves belonging to outfielder Jose Fermin and a red belt provided by the team trainer.
Among this gear, the shoes will head to the Hall of Fame. On the 17th, MLB.com explained, "Baez is donating the spikes he wore in his debut game at the request of the Hall of Fame." Jordan, who lent him the shoes, added cheerfully, "It's truly amazing that spikes with my name on them are going to the Hall of Fame. Thank you, Baez."
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*This content was translated by AI.
