Blue Jays rookie and son of former Red Sox reliever hits first career homer at Fenway Park
Just like us, major leaguers sometimes get nervous, especially before they play big league games. Blue Jays rookie Will Wagner enjoyed a big night at the plate in his team’s 6-3 loss to the Red Sox on Tuesday night.
Before the game Wagner texted his fiancee and told her he was nervous. In the end, he had nothing to be worried about, and his bat did all the talking for him, despite Toronto’s loss.
“I’m a nervous person,” Wagner said. “I’m always really nervous to play games. But, I mean, I guess just being at Fenway and I haven't been swinging it the greatest (so) I wanted to make sure I can get back on track.”
Wagner was a bright spot in the Jays’ lineup on Wednesday night. The 26-year-old stepped to the plate and connected for his first big league blast in the sixth inning off Brennan Bernardino.
“It’s everyone’s dream to hit a home run at Fenway,” said Wagner. “For it to be my first home run, it’s so special, so cool.”
Wagner got the ball back, and he plans to give it to his parents. He finished the night 3-for-4 with two doubles, a homer, and an RBI.
“Honestly, I still haven’t processed it yet,” Wagner said to reporters postgame. “It is really cool.”
The Jays’ No. 19 prospect per MLB Pipeline became the first player in franchise history to record at least two doubles and one homer in the same game within the first 13 career games.
Since his big league promotion, Wagner has been swinging a hot bat, posting a .326 batting average with an .868 OPS, six RBI, and five doubles.
“He’s got a really simple swing,” said manager John Schneider. “He hit the ball hard four times tonight. Pretty cool for him to get it here in Fenway; cool place to do that. Will’s been great.”
Wagner has a minor connection to the Red Sox; he is the son of former MLB closer Billy Wagner. The lefty pitched 15 games for Boston back in 2019. He went 1-1 with a 1.98 ERA with 22 strikeouts to seven walks in 13 2/3 innings (15 games). Wagner was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox from the Mets that season.
Initially, it was reported that Wagner was going to invoke a no-trade clause; instead, he waived it, and Boston traded two players for the southpaw. The following season, the Red Sox did not exercise his $8 million option for 2010, and he left via free agency, signing with the Braves.
The younger Wagner has enjoyed his time at Fenway Park, signing the inside of the Green Monster like most visiting players do when they come to town. Wagner also achieved another goal outside of hitting his first career home run.
“I always wanted to hit a double off the Green Monster too,” Wagner said. “You see so many guys hit the ball the other way and get a double off the Monster, so I thought that was pretty cool.”
In his first at-bat of the night, he took an inside-out offering from Sox hurler Cooper Criswell off the Green Monster in the second inning.
There’s not much the Blue Jays are playing for to close out this season other than attempting to finish strong and seeing what some of the younger players can give them heading into the winter.
