5 MLB Players Who Homered for Their First Career Hit
By Zack Jiang
There's no better way to notch your first career hit as a big league ballplayer than by bombing one into the stands. You get two milestones in one, and get to have a nice celebratory trot around the bases at your leisure. While not many players have had the chance to enjoy such an occasion, here are five guys who were able to open their MLB accounts in style.
1. Austin Riley
The latest man to do it is Austin Riley, who bombed a 438-foot homer to earn his first career hit for the Atlanta Braves last night against St. Louis. Riley smashed the two-run dinger in his second plate appearance after he struck out in his first at-bat. Not a bad way for the 22-year-old to start his tenure in the Show.
2. Tyler Austin
Tyler Austin's time with the Yankees was short lived, as he was traded to the Giants in April, but he started it with a bang. Austin smashed a solo homer to deep right field in his first at-bat in August 2016. The first baseman is not known as a power hitter, but his first homer is an unforgettable one.
3. Aaron Judge
The amazing part about Aaron Judge's first hit (and dinger) is that it came just moments after Austin's. Judge likewise homered in his first at-bat, sending one deep to center field. The back-to-back home runs in their first at-bats by Judge and Austin is a coincidence we may never end up seeing again.
4. Adam Wainwright
Who said pitchers can't rake? Cardinals veteran Adam Wainwright is a multi-time All-Star hurler, but he is no slouch at the plate. For his first career hit, Wainwright bombed it into left field. The home run wasn't his last either, as the pitcher has compiled 10 home runs in his 14-year career. Nice work if you can get it.
5. Gary Gaetti
While Aaron Judge may go down as one of the best power hitters in history, Gary Gaetti currently leads this list in career home runs. After hitting a dinger for the Twins on the very first pitch of his first career MLB at-bat on September 20, 1981, Gaetti went on to hit 360 career home runs. He made two All-Star appearances, won the Silver Slugger award in 1995, and even won the World Series in 1987. (This video is not of that particular moment, but it's pretty cool either way.)