Cardinals’ Joshua Báez Makes Historic MLB Debut With Three Home Runs Against Cubs

Joshua Báez etched his name into baseball history Saturday when he became the first player in the modern era to hit three home runs during his major league debut, powering the St. Louis Cardinals to an 8-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The 23-year-old left fielder, called up from Triple-A Memphis earlier that day, connected on each of his first three at-bats with a combined five RBIs.

Báez’s opening swing came on the first pitch he encountered from Cubs starter Matthew Boyd, launching an estimated 449-foot blast into the left-center bleachers. His second shot sailed down the left-field line for a solo homer, followed by a third home run hit in the opposite direction. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol praised the performance, noting Báez’s composure and confidence throughout the historic display.

The feat marks the first time in modern baseball history—defined as 1901 onward—that any player has accomplished the achievement, though Major League Baseball acknowledged it cannot definitively rule out the possibility occurring before 1901 due to incomplete historical records. Báez became the 11th Cardinals player to homer in his first career at-bat and the sixth in franchise history to accomplish the feat on the first pitch.

Báez’s minor league credentials warranted the promotion. He led all Triple-A batters with 34 home runs this season and had recorded four multihomer games before his call-up. His family celebrated the milestone at Wrigley Field, with 30 relatives including his mother, Yris, attending the historic performance and gathering for photos afterward despite inclement weather.