Vinnie Pasquantino: Was it an out or a Homer?

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For every Major League ballplayer that first hit in the Show has to be a special occasion worth celebrating and remembering for the rest of their careers and even their lives.  For rookie Kansas City Royal Vinnie Pasquantino, his first hit in the big leagues will not only go down as memorable but almost comical.

Pasquantino received his call-up to the Royals this past week and waited until last Friday night to get his precious first hit as a Major Leaguer.  How he got that hit is even more of a story line that will leave a lasting memory not only for Pasquantino but for Royals fans as well.

Playing against the Detroit Tigers on Friday night, Pasquantino blasted a 112.7 mph line drive first pitch rocket off of pitcher Michael Pinedo and started running towards first and then made that turn towards second as if to stretch out his luck on his first Major League hit.  The ball bounced off of the right field wall and Willi Castro was able to field it and easily throw out Pasquantino who had to hustle to try salvage his first hit into a two-bagger.

Well, as luck had it, Pasquantino was easily tagged out at second by Javier Baez but was he?  As it turns out, the ball did hit the yellow pipe portion of the outfield wall which is considered a home run.  Baez applied the tag on Pasquantino but immediately told his young opponent to not go anywhere and he signaled to him that his hit was a home run.  Standing on second base, Pasquantino had more than the look of a rookie totally confused – was he out or what really happened?  Fortunately, the umpire crew agreed with Baez that it was a home run and in a great display of sportsmanship, Baez started guiding Pasquantino towards third base on his way to his first hit in Major League Baseball – a home run.

Elation in the Royals dugout drifted into confusion and frustration and then the celebration began for a young man who just got his dream call-up from Omaha.  That first big league hit is always a keeper for young baseball players.  For Vinny Pasquantino, his first hit became an out and then became a home run.  Royals manager Mike Matheny summed up Pasquantino’s experience succinctly: “I wish he could’ve kept his pants clean. You don’t want to see a guy on his first home run have to slide.”  Welcome to the big leagues, Vinnie Pasquantino.  We hope you don’t have to slide on any other home runs again.