Pittsburgh Pirates Andrew McCutcheon batted after one out in the bottom of the 8th inning, leading 8-1. However, a substitute came out, not McCutcheon. However, at the name of the pinch hitter being introduced for the first time, PNC Park was colored with cheers.
His name is Drew Madge (34). Born in 1989 and 34 years old this year, he was the first player to come to the major leagues.
During his 13 seasons in the minor leagues, Madge appeared in 1155 career games and recorded 4494 plate appearances. And he stepped onto the major league stage of his dreams.
Madge was waiting on the bench in the match against the Los Angeles Dodgers held at PNC Park on the 27th (hereinafter Korean time), and got her first chance at bat in the bottom of the 8th inning when the game was winning.
While he was being introduced and brought to the plate, Dodgers catcher Austin Winns and umpire Jeff Nelson took Madge off home plate for a moment to get enough cheers from the fans.
Standing at bat while his parents watched from the stands, Madge hit a 93.5 mph inside fastball from left-handed Dodgers pitcher Alex Becia. He flew wide, but the foul home run went into the left-hand box.
Perhaps nervous, he received an automatic strike due to a pitch clock violation prior to the second pitch. Madge, who fouled on the second pitch, picked out a highball on the third pitch. On the 4th pitch, he struck out on a swing with a low one-bound slider of 86.4 mph. But as he returns to the dugout, the fans applaud him once again. As he played in the game, Madge ranked 9th as the oldest debutant in major league history.안전놀이터
“I didn’t know what to do when the fans were calling my name,” Madge said after the game. “I couldn’t decide if I should take my helmet off. I was just trying to focus on my plate and at the same time really enjoy the moment.”
“It was the most wonderful thing I could have imagined. It was the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me,” he said of his feelings about becoming a major leaguer. He added with a smile, “I’ve never been happier in my life to have struck out.”