Sports Final: St. Louis Post-Dispatch Sports Writer Daniel Guerrero On Joshua Baez’s Historic Debut

August 16, 2026 - 06:54

ST. LOUIS - It was a debut unlike any other. Joshua Baez stepped onto the field at Wrigley Field and did something no player in Major League Baseball history has ever done. He hit a home run in each of his first three career at-bats, a feat that left even the most seasoned baseball observers searching for words.

The Cardinals called up the highly touted prospect, and he responded with a performance for the ages. His first swing in the big leagues resulted in a towering shot. His second at-bat produced another. By the time he connected for a third time, the visiting dugout had emptied, and the crowd at Wrigley was stunned into silence.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Cardinals writer Daniel Guerrero joined Sports Final to break down the historic night. Guerrero noted that Baez's approach at the plate was remarkably composed for a player making his major league debut. He did not chase pitches out of the zone and waited for fastballs he could drive.

The three home runs also tied a franchise record for most homers in a single game by a Cardinals rookie. But the context of it happening in his first game, and in his first three plate appearances, sets Baez apart in the record books. The Cardinals have been searching for consistent power from their outfield, and Baez provided an emphatic answer.

Guerrero also discussed how the team plans to handle the young slugger moving forward. The expectation is that Baez will remain in the everyday lineup, hitting in the middle of the order. His performance has injected a new energy into the clubhouse and given fans a reason to believe this season could still hold something special. The historic night at Wrigley will not be forgotten anytime soon.