A highly anticipated debut that was reminiscent of the hype surrounding Bryce Harper’s first MLB moment, Vlad Jr. walked into the building wearing his Hall of Fame dad’s Expos uni, really tugging the heartstrings of Canada’s baseball-loving community.
When the game started, Vlad seemed to thrive in the moment, and nearly got enough of an inside two-seam from Mike Fiers that was caught spectacularly by Chad Pinder. Vlad would not be denied, though, pushing a two-strike double down the right field line off of Yusmeiro Petit in the bottom of the 9th to start what would eventually be a walk-off rally. Brandon Drury hit a two-out bomb to score Vlad’s run (Alen Hanson pinch ran) for the game-winner.
Vlad swung his Louisville Slugger C243, and wore a flashy pair of UA Yard cleats.
That swing is gonna play!