There’s nothing like a long home run to wake up a crowd and break up a fast paced pitching duel. With one out in the bottom of the 5th inning, Oscar Taveras launched a solo home run into the Cardinals bullpen to give the home team a 1-0 lead. With that one very majestic swing, the rain came into Busch full bore and caused a delay in play. Here are five instant reactions to the first home run of Taveras career, which makes him the youngest Cardinal rookie at 21 years of age to homer in his debut since 1936.
Instant Reaction #1-Someone hit a home run for the Cardinals! This year, at least so far, a home run causes a small celebration of old fashioned ball yard bashing. Oscar cranked one in his second at bat and for a team that has around 30 home runs for the season as a team, it’s reason enough to be happy.
Instant Reaction #2-Call the statue people and start carving that home run swing finish of Oscar. By the time he comes to the plate for his third at bat, it better be finished. I am kidding of course. The expectations for this kid will be high for a few days and nothing can stop it. It’s a bright young talent in Cardinal Nation and the rush of emotion and energy created in the sport of baseball is truly infectious. So please don’t be a downer and ruin anyone’s day with “It’s just a home run”. It’s most definitely not in this town at this moment.
Instant Reaction #3-Throw Oscar a hanging breaking ball and you should just lower your head and ask for another baseball. For the first 10-15 games, Taveras is going to be a strict mistake hitter. Then again, remember this. He doesn’t strike out much and he happens to hit left handed pitchers very well. Still, make a mistake and he is going to crush it. He is a free swinging, life loving, ear to ear smiling beast who is hungry to prove he matches the hype of the #2 prospect in baseball.
Instant Reaction #4-The Home Run greeting line in the dugout never gets old. The boys slapped, grabbed, and hugged the young rookie. It’s truly a brotherhood in the Cardinals clubhouse. Baseball can carry the reputation of a mercenary spot but not in this city and not with the Cards. They love new young fresh talent and they made it known. Love the Joe Kelly push off for the curtain call.
Instant Reaction #5-The small yet wise grin on Mike Matheny’s face said it all. This kid is for real and won’t sit in the dugout. Matheny read what seemed to be a John Mozeliak penned memo before the game to reporters and seemed to be half faking it. He wants the kid to impress but also has to get him into the lineup. His smile speaks for all his words, future reactions, lineup card makings and the hysteria that officially started with that home run.
Let’s not talk about pushing Matt Adams out of the lineup or the plans when he returns. Enjoy this home run. Remember where you were sitting or what you were doing. If the Oscar Taveras train keeps progressing forward, this home run could be the beginning of a very long and wonderful friendship between Cardinals fans and this young man.
Oscar may have brought the rain with his mighty swing, but he will be taking home quite a few hearts in this city by the time this game is finished. Attention Cardinals Team Store, get those #18 shirts and jerseys pressed as soon as possible. Everybody wants one now!
Thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of this game and afternoon ladies and gents.
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