After 11 long years in the minors, Red Sox’ Jamie Westbrook hits first MLB home run
“I was just looking up to the sky like it’s just crazy, man,” Westbrook said following the Red Sox' 14-2 victory over the White Sox.
Just five days after being called up from an 11-year stint in the minor leagues, Jamie Westbrook recorded his first MLB home run Thursday.
The 28-year-old Holyoke native went 1-for-2 during the Red Sox’ 14-2 rout of the White Sox. While Westbrook didn’t start the game, he entered pinch-hitting for an injured Tyler O’Neill, sending a 338-foot bomb into the stands.
“Shoot, man, he can hit,” manager Alex Cora said following the contest, per The Boston Globe’s Julian McWilliams. It’s been such a good week for him and for us because that stuff like that kind of gives you energy, you know? And everybody was excited regardless of the score.”
Westbrook’s homer, which came just a day after he brought a crowd of 33,760 Fenway fans to their feet with his first majors hit, was an unforgettable moment.
“I was just looking up to the sky like it’s just crazy, man,” Westbrook said, per McWilliams.
Following over 1,100 games in the minors, Westbrook’s first week with the Red Sox has been a lesson in patience. Now, he gets to reap the rewards.
“You couldn’t write it any better. Like, I waited all that time and the excitement and weight off my shoulders, it was pretty cool,” he added.
And after sharing the excitement from Wednesday’s hit with his family – awarding his mother with the game ball – Westbrook looked to honor his father in a similar fashion Thursday.
The infielder tracked down the fan who caught his homer, and offered a signed bat in exchange for the ball, which he gave to his father.
As Westbrook’s dreams quickly become reality, he’ll look to round out his first week in the majors with three back-to-back games in Chicago. The Red Sox face the White Sox Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before heading back to Boston to take on the Phillies Tuesday.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com