Dodgers: Will Smith Setting More Records with the Home Run Ball
As Will Smith settles in as the Dodgers new starting catcher, he remains unphased in the big moments. None of these Dodgers rookies do, but that’s another article all on its own. With Smith has come the home run bat early in his big league career, and with that bat, records follow.
Will Smith of the @Dodgers is the first player in the modern era to have 3 of his first 5 career home runs be go-ahead homers in the 9th inning.#LABleedsBlue
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) July 31, 2019
With his 3-run go-ahead home run in the 9th inning of Wednesday afternoon’s contest against the Colorado Rockies, the Fresh Prince of LAD set a record. He became the first player in baseball’s modern era to have 3 of his first 5 home runs be go-ahead shots in the 9th inning.
Think of how crazy that is. More than 100 years of baseball and a rookie record like that has never been touched.
Moreover, if you’re looking for the breakdown of the 3 home runs in question, just sit back and unwind, we got you covered:
- A walk-off winner off Hector Neris and the Phillies — Career HR #1
- Pinch hit record extending walk-off winner over the Rockies — Career HR #3
- Go-ahead 3-run shot vs the Rockies in Colorado — Career HR #5
In just 13 career games, the Dodgers rookie has already become a fan favorite, but more importantly, someone the team can rely on. During that time he’s posted a .333/.386/.821 slash line with those 5 homers and 15 RBI.
Welcome to Will Smith’s Summertime madness.
It took long enough to option Barnes with a .200 average and rally killer
Better add the grand slam versus the Padres to the list………….NICE! A catcher who can hit AND play defense……….been a long time since the Dodgers have had one of these.
Love this guy.I agree w the Barnes comment too.Its amazing to see how far the catcher position has fallen in offense the last few years.The back up thing is gonna be interesting.Id keep Russell aboard.