My First Time – Robin Yount – April 5, 1974

My First Time – Robin Yount – April 5, 1974

The Setting – County Staidum.  Milwaukee, WI.

From Yount – ‘The Brewers had a tradition of bringing their first round picks to Spring Training, but it was supposed to be a formality.  I very shocked when they told me that I had made the team’.

The Boxscore – Red Sox 9, Brewers 8.  Yount goes 0-for-1 with a walk.

My First Time – Michael Young – September 20, 2000

My First Time – Michael Young – September 20, 2000

The Setting – Network Associates Coliseum.  Oakland, CA.

From Young – ‘I went out to pinch run, and the PA announcer say ‘And now entering the game as a pinch runner and making his major league debut…’ and the crowd started booing me.  I could not believe it’.

The Boxscore – A’s 7, Rangers 5.  Young enters the game as a pinch-runner.  He does not get an official at-bat.

My First Time – David Wright – July 21, 2004

My First Time – David Wright – July 21, 2004

The Setting – Shea Stadium.  New York.

From Wright – ‘I got on my cell and called my brothers and parents.  My mom told me that she had laundry to do so I could bring clean clothes with me to New York.’

The Boxscore – Mets 5, Expos 4.  Wright goes 0-for-4 in his big league debut.

My First Time – Kerry Wood – April 12, 1988

My First Time – Kerry Wood – April 12, 1988

The Setting – Olympic Stadium.  Montreal, Canada.

From Wood – ‘I called my parents real quick and told them that they needed to get to Montreal if they wanted to see my debut.  Freaked ’em out a little because it meant getting passports, so they thought’.

The Boxscore – Expos 4, Cubs 1.  Wood takes the loss after being pulled in the fourth inning.  He allows 4 hits and 4 runs while walking 3 and striking out 7.

My First Time – Dontrelle Willis – May 9, 2003

My First Time – Dontrelle Willis – May 9, 2003

The Setting – Miami, FL.  Pro Player Stadium.

From Willis – ‘I flew my mom and  a bunch of people out for the game.  I had to borrow money to do it.  Oakland to Miami on no notice is a real expensive flight’.

The Boxscore – Marlins 5, Rockies 4.  Willis pitches 6 innings allowing 7 hits and giving up 3 runs, while striking out 7.

My First Time – Bernie Williams – July 7, 1991

My First Time – Bernie Williams – July 7, 1991

The Setting – Yankee Stadium.  Bronx, NY.

From Williams – ‘I drove in one run on a sac fly and another on an infield hit.  They gave me the ball right after the hit but right after that they got the final out and we lost’.

The Boxscore – Orioles 5, Yankees 3.  Williams goes 1-for-3 with 2 RBI.

 

My First Time – David Wells – June 30, 1987

My First Time – David Wells – June 30, 1987

The Setting – Exhibition Stadium.  Toronto, Canada.

From Wells – ‘I was out with the guys and did not get in until after 1 A.M. – imagine that!  Well, there is a message on my machine to call Doug Ault (manager) no matter what time it was.  I got the call-up!!!’

The Boxscore – Yankees 4, Blue Jays 0.  Wells takes the loss while going just four innings, allowing 9 hits and 4 runs.

 

My First Time – Larry Walker – August 16, 1989

My First Time – Larry Walker – August 16, 1989

The Setting – Olympic Stadium.  Montreal, Canada.

From Walker – ‘Will Clark was playing first base for the Giants.  After they walked me the first two times, he came over to me and said ‘Geez, we’re pitching to you like you’re Babe Ruth’.  I didn’t know what to say so I just smiled at him’.

The Boxscore – Expos 4, Giants 2.  Walker goes 1-for-1 while drawing three walks and scoring 2 runs.

My First Time – Alan Trammell – September 9, 1977

My First Time – Alan Trammell – September 9, 1977

The Setting – Fenway Park.  Boston, MA.

From Trammell – ‘I was scared to death.  I mean, absolutely scared to death.  At least I was hitting ninth and that helped to take the edge off.  I didn’t bat until the third inning so that took a lot of pressure off’.

The Boxscore – Red Sox 8, Tigers 6.  Trammell goes 2-for-3 with 2 singles, a run scored, and a strikeout.

 

My First Time – Joe Torre – September 25, 1960

My First Time – Joe Torre – September 25, 1960

The Setting – County Stadium.  Pittsburgh, PA.

From Torre – ‘I was done with minor league ball so I went to Milwaukee to wait for my brother’s season to end.  I was just hanging around the club when they said, ‘Since you’re here, we’re going to put you on the roster for the rest of the season.'”

The Boxscore – Braves 4, Pirates 2 i 10 innings.  Torre goes 1-for-1 as a pinch hitter for Warren Spahn.