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Red Sox rookie Tyler Samaniego achieved historic feat in MLB debut, dedicated performance to late father
"It could be the best day of my life, so far."
Special moment for a Red Sox rookie: Left-handed pitcher Tyler Samaniego’s Wednesday began like many others probably have in his multi-year minor league career.
He arrived at the Worcester Red Sox ballpark, Polar Park, and was informed by team manager Chad Tracy that he would likely be needed for some innings that day. Then, with nonchalant aplomb, Tracy dropped a bombshell that initiated a “whirlwind” day for the relief pitcher.
“He said, ‘We had kind of a long game last night, we need you for some innings,'” Samaniego told reporters on Wednesday. “‘Well, actually they might need a couple of innings in Fenway.’ I was at a loss for words for a little bit.”
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The call-up occurred after Justin Slaten was revealed to be heading to the Injured List, necessitating the addition of one more pitcher to the Red Sox roster. That pitcher was going to be Samaniego.
The 2021 15th-round pick (Samaniego was originally drafted by the Pirates, and was traded to Boston in the offseason as part of the Johan Oviedo deal) got in his car and made the 45-mile trek down the Mass Pike to Fenway Park in time for the Red Sox afternoon game against the Brewers.
Among the myriad of emotions he experienced in the moment, Samaniego singled out the “bittersweet” feeling of having made it to the big leagues only a few years after the passing of his father.
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“I was thinking about my dad,” Samaniego said. “I lost him [at 65 years old] at the end of the ‘22 season, and he’s the one that introduced me to this game.”
With “Rip Pops” stitched into his glove, Samaniego said that it feels like his father is “out there with me.”
And despite grappling with the understandable level of emotions, Samaniego kept his poise. He proceeded to strike out the side, becoming the first Boston rookie to ever notch the first three outs of his MLB career via strikeout.
First batter, first K!
— NESN (@NESN) April 8, 2026
Tyler Samaniego already looks like a natural up here 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4lsVHw023I
“I know he was out there with me,” Samaniego said referencing Richard Sr., his late father. “It was just awesome.”
Other members of Samaniego’s family were ecstatic.
“He was at work. He’s trying not to scream in his office,” Samaniego said of his brother. “My mom, she’s freaking out.”
As far as how Samaniego ranked the experience, he added one qualifier to the notion that it may have been the best day of his life.
“It could be the best day of my life, so far,” he added.
The Red Sox won on Wednesday, capping a two-out-of-three series win against Milwaukee.
Trivia: What pitcher has the most appearances for the Red Sox in team history?
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(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: Born in Portland, Maine, he only played for the Red Sox during his MLB career and made two All-Star Teams (1979 and 1983).
Tyler Samaniego (3 K’s) on his MLB debut 💭
— NESN (@NESN) April 8, 2026
“It was awesome, man, it was everything you dream of.”
🤝 presented by @WBMasonCo pic.twitter.com/7LpPk3OVBv
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox defeated the Brewers 5-0 on Wednesday. Boston will begin a three-game series in St. Louis against the Cardinals on Friday at 8:15 p.m.
The Celtics face the Knicks tonight at Madison Square Garden at 7:30 p.m.
The Bruins will be back on home ice Saturday against the Lightning at 12:30 p.m.
Also on Saturday, the Revolution host D.C. United at 7:30 p.m.
The Fleet will also be back in action on Saturday, playing the Montréal Victoire at TD Garden at 7 p.m.
Also today, The Masters gets underway, scheduled to run through Sunday at the famous August National Golf Club.
More from Boston.com:
- What Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said about viral photos with NFL reporter
- 5 takeaways as Red Sox pull away from Brewers, 5-0, to earn first series win
- Bruins sign top prospect James Hagens: How can he help Boston’s playoff push?
- Report: Celtics are ‘known to be interested’ in trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Rob Gronkowski joins Logan Mankins, Adam Vinatieri on Patriots Hall of Fame ballot
- What Joe Mazzulla said about praise from Giannis Antetokounmpo
- How an old Roman Anthony TikTok video inspired Red Sox’ new celebration
- ‘That tells me a lot’: Alex Cora impressed by Trevor Story’s response to early-season adversity
James Hagens on signing his entry-level deal with the Bruins: Boston’s newest addition spoke about joining a team in the midst of a playoff chase.
On this day: In 2023, Payton Pritchard totaled a triple-double (30 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists) in a 120-114 Celtics win over the Hawks.
Daily highlight: In a Masters practice round, players tried skipping the ball off the water at the 16th hole. Max Homa probably did it best on Wednesday.
Max Homa logró, de momento, el mejor skipping en el hoyo 16 de esta edición. pic.twitter.com/bpZsIpMQl0
— El Masters (@TheMasters_ES) April 8, 2026
Trivia answer: Bob Stanley
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