Tag: Akil Baddoo

MLB stars are pulling out custom cleats for Jackie Robinson Day and they’re so awesome

These are TORCH.

Jackie Robinson Day is one of the best days of the Major League Baseball season each and every year.

The league pays homage to an absolute icon in Robinson who quite literally changed the trajectory of the sport just by being the first African American to play Major League Baseball.

Simply put, the game isn’t what it is today without Robinson’s contribution and the sacrifices he made. It is undoubtedly something that should be honored.

So, every year, the sport has every player top to bottom wearing Robinson’s number 42 on their jerseys. But some players don’t just stop there — they take things a step further.

How? With custom cleats. Lots of MLB players across the league are wearing Jackie Robinson cleats today. Here are some of the best ones we’ve seen so far.

Tigers rookie Akil Baddoo homered on first MLB pitch and his parents went delightfully nuts

What a moment.

Detroit Tigers rookie outfielder Akil Baddoo had spent his entire professional baseball career at the lower levels of the Twins’ minor-league system — never advancing beyond high-A ball in four seasons (plus last year’s canceled minor-league season).

But on Sunday, the Rule 5 selection was ready to make his MLB debut with the Tigers and, oh man, he made the leap to the big leagues look easy.

Baddoo stepped to the plate for his first MLB at-bat in the third inning of Sunday’s game against Cleveland, and all he needed to see was one pitch from Aaron Civale to make his impact.

Baddoo went opposite-field on an 89 mph four-seamer for a solo shot, and the 22-year-old knew it immediately. He flipped his bat — as he should — and pointed to his parents once he crossed home plate.

Speaking of his parents, though, they had an absolutely delightful reaction to that home run as it left the park.

What a moment.

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