BOSTON (AP) — Danny Jansen, a catcher who has played for the Toronto Blue Jays and is now with the Boston Red Sox, made Major League Baseball history by appearing for both teams in a single game — and in the same inning, no less.
This remarkable event took place due to an unusual combination of baseball rules and a rain delay. On Monday, Jansen became the first player in MLB history to be listed on the box score for both teams when he took the field for Boston during the continuation of a rain-delayed game that began back in June when he was still with Toronto, prior to his trade to the Red Sox.
“I was surprised to learn I was the first to do this,” Jansen remarked after going 1 for 4 with the Red Sox, plus contributing to another at-bat for Toronto, during the Blue Jays’ 4-1 win. “It’s really exciting to leave a mark like that on the game. It’s interesting, a bit odd, and I’m thankful for the chance to be a part of it.”
During the game on June 26, Jansen only faced one pitch from Boston’s Kutter Crawford in the second inning before the game was interrupted by rain. On July 27, Jansen was traded to the Red Sox in exchange for three minor league players.
As the excitement of Jansen potentially making history grew within the baseball community, Red Sox manager Alex Cora stated last week that he would include Jansen when the postponed game resumed, saying, “Let’s make history.”
“It was a very special moment being part of this,” Cora reflected on Monday. “I don’t know if this will ever happen again. It required a perfect set of circumstances for it to occur, starting with the weather, and I’m glad it was an enjoyable experience for everyone.”
When play resumed on Monday at 2:06 p.m. after a delay of 65 days, 18 hours, and 35 minutes, Red Sox media relations coordinator Daveson Perez made the announcement in the Fenway Park press box: “Pinch-hitting for Danny Jansen: Daulton Varsho. Defensive substitutions: Danny Jansen now catching.”
With Jansen now behind the plate, Nick Pivetta struck out Varsho to complete the at-bat that Jansen had begun. Then, with two outs in the bottom half of the inning, Jansen stepped up to bat for the Red Sox, receiving a warm cheer from the small crowd. He hit a soft line drive to first base, ending the inning.
“Leading up to that moment, it felt a bit unusual. But once I stepped into the batter’s box, it was ‘Game on.’ I was focused and just tried to stay in the moment,” Jansen explained.
His wife, kids, and some friends were there to witness this unique moment in baseball history. Upon arrival, they were greeted with Jansen’s photo displayed on the scoreboard, wearing his Blue Jays cap.
“When I walked out there, I definitely noticed myself up there. It was a reminder of the situation I was in,” Jansen shared.
Before the first pitch of the resumed game, the umpires engaged in a lengthy discussion at home plate with the managers, who presented some of the most unusual lineup cards in baseball history. Blue Jays manager John Schneider expressed his happiness to see his former player garner such attention, despite having a career .222 batting average.
“It’s fantastic for him to be recognized in the record books as the first player to do this,” Schneider said. “Knowing Jano for a long time, it’s something unique he can brag about, and it’s appropriate since he’s always had a knack for achieving quirky feats. Pretty cool for him.”
During the game, Jansen recorded a hit in the fifth inning, marking Boston’s first of the game. He also had a flyout in the seventh, but unfortunately, he struck out in the ninth with two outs and a runner on second, sealing the game’s fate.
The 29-year-old player noted he wore two jerseys during the game (three if you count the Blue Jays jersey from June). He plans to keep one and send another to the Baseball Hall of Fame, where an authenticator was present to verify all of Jansen’s equipment.
The Hall of Fame has requested the official scorecard from Bob Ellis, who was the official scorer during both the initial game and its continuation. “This scorecard will serve as a valuable resource to document this unique instance, with Danny Jansen’s name appearing for both teams,” said Hall spokesman John Shestakofsky.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
