In the second inning of the Padres’ game against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, San Diego catcher Rocky Gale deposited a 3-2 slider from Arizona’s Robbie Ray into a terrace of the Western Metal Supply Co. in left field for his first Major-League home run.
As Gale rounded the bases, he was very, very excited.
There is always your first time…
Congratulations, Rocky Gale! #ARZvsSD pic.twitter.com/9BUIRiOrsg— John Silva (@JohnnySilva619) September 21, 2017
Just look at that smile! Forget acting like you’ve been there before, this guy was jubilant and not afraid to show it.
Gale likely viewed Wednesday’s home run as a culmination of years of work. The Padres selected Gale in the 24th round of the 2010 MLB Draft, and he has been in the organization ever since. But aside from 10 Major-League plate appearances in 2015, Gale has been stranded in the minors that entire time, racking up 1,293 plate appearances at Triple-A. He’s now 29, well past the age most career minor-leaguers call it quits, but he’s still out there chasing his dream. He was called up this week as the team’s fourth catcher, cracked the lineup Wednesday and made the most of it.
Making the whole thing crazier, Gale is not any sort of power hitter. In eight minor-league seasons (624 games), he had hit only 11 long balls, including only two this season. Then he goes and whacks one in his first MLB at-bat of the season. Incredible.
After the game, Gale mostly played it cool but did admit he was “kind of screeching,” as he rounded first base.
"I just couldn't believe it." @RockyGale talked about his first career home run after the game ⤵️🎥 #Padres pic.twitter.com/jUsyqmAJ2j
— Padres Radio (@PadresRadio) September 21, 2017
May you all have moments as joyous as Rocky Gale’s first Major-League home run.
