Legendary announcer Bob Costas was at Rate Field on Tuesday as a part of a 1980s throwback broadcast with Steve Stone.
Before the interleague game against the Atlanta Braves, Costas proclaimed the Chicago White Sox to be “this season’s best baseball story.” They are breathing down the Cleveland Guardians’ neck for first place in the American League Central after three straight 100-plus-loss seasons.
The story keeps getting better.
Outfielder Braden Montgomery made his major-league debut and blasted a shot over the left-field fence in the 10th inning for a two-run, walk-off home run as the White Sox pulled off a 6-5 victory in front of a crowd of 20,494.
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Rounding third base and ready to face a mob of teammates at home plate was quite the experience for the 23-year-old Montgomery.
“That was just surreal,” he said. “I mean, I couldn’t even hear anything. The crowd was pretty loud.
“This group of guys, this stadium, this city, it’s really cool to see it from the outside. And being a part of the inside is awesome.”
Only four other players in major-league history have belted walk-off home runs in their debuts, MLB researcher Sarah Langs reported.
“It’s a special debut,” Sox manager Will Venable said. “Braden is someone we all view as a special player, and special players do special things.
“To come through in that situation, regardless of the history of it, was huge for him and huge for this group. Obviously you love to see it.”
The Sox (35-31) are a half-game behind the Guardians after the dramatic triumph.
Matt Olson’s two home runs helped give the Braves (45-22) an early 4-0 lead. Miguel Vargas hit a two-run home run in the third for the Sox, Montgomery singled home Jacob Gonzalez for his first major-league hit in the fourth and Gonzales singled home Vargas in the seventh to tie it up.
Montgomery said he had two walk-off home runs in the minors against the Bowling Green Hot Rods last year.
The switch hitter, who was batting from the left side of the plate, knew it was a good hit when he tagged Raisel Iglesias’ changeup but didn’t know it would clear the fence.
“I had no clue,” he said. “I hit it and I thought it was at least going over (left fielder Mike Yastrzemski’s) head. That was … yeah … that left me speechless.”
Montgomery, ranked the No. 2 Sox prospect by MLB.com, was called up from Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday. He’s the 12th player in the organization to make his major-league debut this season, joining Sam Antonacci, Tyler Davis, Duncan Davitt, Gonzalez, Munetaka Murakami, Tanner Murray, Rikuu Nishida, Jedixson Paez, David Sandlin, Noah Schultz and Tyler Schweitzer.
“We’re bringing up players who are hungry to learn and get better,” general manager Chris Getz said. “They want to be major-league players.
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“We’re getting these guys in our clubhouse and around these teammates. They kind of feed off of each other. Every clubhouse is different. Every year is different. This one, we’ve had a lot of debuts and it’s gone well since they have gotten here.”
Grant Taylor (2-0) picked up the win in relief, one of six pitchers the Sox used. The pitching staff is in a state of flux.
Davis Martin originally was penciled in as the starter Tuesday. That changed to Erick Fedde and changed again to Brandon Eisert as an opener before Fedde took over.
“We’re still sorting through some of these starters,” Getz said. “It’s probably going to be that way the next week or so. That’s why you will see some ‘TBA’ associated with some of these games.”
Venable erased two of the TBAs after Tuesday’s game, saying Martin will face former Sox star Chris Sale on Wednesday and Anthony Kay will face Martín Pérez on Thursday.
Getz said the shifting has nothing to do with players being injured.
“It’s a little bit of a break and trying to find the appropriate amount of rest to avoid a lack of production or a potential injury issue,” he said. “We’re having discussions on how to map out this homestand.”
Roster roulette
In addition to Montgomery’s call-up, the Sox called up left-handed pitcher Joe Rock from Charlotte. To make room, they sent down Nishida and Sandlin.
Rock, 25, was traded to the Sox from the Tampa Bay Rays on May 19 for infielder Oliver Dunn. He had no record and a 4.00 ERA in four starts at Charlotte with 13 strikeouts in nine innings. He figures to get some innings in during this uncertain time for the Sox starters.
“I can start, I can relieve — whatever they need,” Rock said.
The Sox also transferred outfielder Austin Hays, who has a left calf strain, to the 60-day injured list.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the baiduhai.