CHICAGO — The wait was value it, in keeping with Atlanta Braves infielder Sean Kazmar Jr.
Kazmar, 36, obtained his first huge league at-bat in additional than 12 years on Saturday, grounding right into a double play as a pinch-hitter within the Braves 13-Four loss to the Chicago Cubs.
The results of the play meant little or no in comparison with the resilience Kazmar displayed whereas grinding it out within the minors all these years.
“What an excellent feeling,” Kazmar mentioned. “Getting that chance early within the recreation was superior. One, to do it with an Atlanta Braves uniform on, and secondly, to do it at Wrigley Subject, it was wonderful.”
Kazmar was a fifth-round decide within the 2004 beginner draft, ultimately showing in 19 video games for the 2008 San Diego Padres. Since then, it has been a life within the minors, together with the final seven seasons carrying the uniform of Atlanta’s Triple-A affiliate, the Gwinnett Stripers.
The hole between big-league appearances was the best since that of right-hander Ralph Winegarner, in keeping with Elias Sports activities Bureau. Winegarner performed on June 23, 1936, for the Cleveland Indians and didn’t return to the majors till July 7, 1949, with the St. Louis Browns- a span of 13 years, 14 days.
Final 12 months might have been Kazmar’s most attempting, contemplating there was no minor league baseball as a result of pandemic. Like all groups, the Braves had a 60-man roster however Kazmar wasn’t part of it.
“It is loopy,” he mentioned. “At the moment I used to be sitting at dwelling on unemployment a 12 months in the past. It was sort of powerful to search for a job if you happen to weren’t too positive if you are going to be part of that (roster).”
However when 2021 arrived, Kazmar was proper again in uniform, with Braves supervisor Brian Snitker calling him their MVP for the third consecutive spring.
“It is sort of like a man’s debut,” Snitker mentioned. “A second debut for him.”
Earlier than the sport on Saturday, Snitker referred to as it a profession spotlight to tell Kazmar that he was getting referred to as up. When Ozzie Albies left Friday’s recreation, after getting hit by a pitch, Kazmar knew he may very well be again within the present.
“I inform guys on a regular basis, you by no means know on this recreation,” Kazmar mentioned with a smile. “It by no means actually left my thoughts, particularly the previous few years enjoying in Gwinnett. I nonetheless felt like I had the flexibility to play at this stage.”
Kazmar’s spouse dropped every thing on Friday and took a redeye flight from Arizona to Chicago to be in attendance. His dad and mom have been watching as properly.
“That is the stuff you like about baseball,” Cubs supervisor, and former Courageous, David Ross mentioned. “I like to listen to these tales and see these issues occur in baseball. It is nice for our recreation.”
Kazmar is hopeful to stay with the Braves for some time however was not sure of his future previous his one at-bat on Saturday. If that is all it’s, he is not complaining. Not after a 12-year journey to return.
“I’d do it another time only for a day like in the present day,” Kazmar mentioned. “It was well worth the wait to get in and get one other at-bat.”