No time was wasted by Tyler Austin and Aaron Judge in their Major Leauge debuts as the rookie tandem set an MLB first in long ball fashion Saturday.
It was quite the entrance for the two young players into the Major Leagues. Now, the Baseball Hall of Fame is requesting the bats of the Yankee newcomers.
Austin put a ball over the right field fence in his first career at-bat in the second inning, and Judge immediately followed with a long ball of his own. The 466-foot rocket nearly hit off the seats above the restaurant overlooking the outfield, something never done at new Yankee Stadium.
The Baby Bombers made history, becoming the first pair of teammates in Major League Baseball to both homer in their first career at-bats in the same game. Not to mention in back-to-back at-bats. The feat may soon be on display in Cooperstown.
Multiple reports state the Hall has requested both bats join the historic collection of baseball memorabilia. However, the Yankees may need to go looking for the bat of Austin.
Chad Jennings reported Austin used his bat the next day. The bat eventually broke, and the whereabouts of the historic lumber are not yet known.
“I didn’t even see it after the game,” said Austin. “I don’t know where it is now or anything.”
Judge’s bat is still on full display, as the 6-foot-7 outfielder said he plans on using it “until it runs out of hits, basically,” Judge told Jennings. “Either breaks or I just stop feeling good with it,” he added.
With how Judge is swinging the bat since his call up, it is no surprise he wants to use the bat until it is fully unfunctional. The 24-year-old has blasted two home runs already in three games.
“Kind of in disbelief, you know,” Judge said after learning of the HOF’s request. “Kind of crazy. What an honor. I’m just excited for Tyler to be there with me too. It’s pretty cool.”
The two young careers have taken off fast, and they already have a piece of their careers heading to Cooperstown.
