MLB Opening Day 2022 is a unique moment where the illusions and projections of the season begin to take shape, or lack thereof, however, suddenly there are history, issues to data that end with a result that is unexpected by all accounts, such was the case with the first homerun of 2022 that came from Chicago Cubs shortstop Nico Hoerner.
To put into context how absolutely improbable it was to think that Hoerner would be the one to take this distinction, it is prudent to comment that the last time this player produced and scored a run in the same at-bat was on September 21, 2019. In 2021, 5,944 home runs were connected, none by this player.
The crazy story of Nico Hoerner’s homerun
Hoerner appeared on the batters’ side in 324 opportunities during 2020 and 2021 and on no occasion did he connect a homerun, however, this Thursday afternoon, taking advantage of the fact that the Cubs opened the season receiving at Wrigley Field the Milwaukee Brewers, because the match between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees was postponed by rain, that began to move the destiny in favor of this player.
This player had the opportunity to open the season as a starter, in part because of the departure since last year of star Xavier Baez, who after shining from 2014 to 2021 with the Cubs, moved last season to the New York Mets and will now play for the Detroit Tigers.
NFL Cy Young, Corbin Burnes, was the victim
Then there was the matter of the pitcher he faced, National League Cy Young winner, right-hander Corbin Burnes, however, he faced the superstar in the bottom of the fifth inning and with the count and the score at 1-1 he hit a powerful line drive through left field past the mythical garden vine to send the home crowd into a frenzy.
Hoerner brought two runs to the plate and was the spark plug that led Chicago to the 5-4 win.
Marca
