Danny Jansen, a catcher for the Boston Red Sox, is set to make history on Monday afternoon at Fenway Park. He will become the first player ever to play for both teams in the same game when the Red Sox resume their suspended game against the Toronto Blue Jays. This unique situation arose due to Jansen being traded to the Red Sox at the deadline and starting the original game behind the plate for the Blue Jays. Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed this historic moment, stating, „Yeah, he’s catching. Let’s make history!“
Suspended games are not uncommon in baseball, but the circumstances that led to Jansen playing for both teams in one game are truly exceptional. The rules governing substitutions for suspended games allow for players who were not with the team at the time of suspension to be used as substitutes. In this case, Jansen was not with the Red Sox when the game was originally suspended, making him eligible to play for both teams.
What makes this situation even more intriguing is that Jansen was at the plate taking his first at-bat when the game was suspended. When the game resumes, the Blue Jays will have a runner on base with one out, and the batter who replaces Jansen will inherit his count. This adds an extra layer of complexity to an already unique scenario.
Both teams will have to make substitutions for players who are no longer with the organization since the original game. The Blue Jays will have to replace more than half of their starting lineup, while the Red Sox will also have to make a few changes. This includes replacing Reese McGuire, who was traded to make room for Jansen on the Red Sox roster.
While no player has ever played for both teams in one game, suspended games have led to other quirky situations in the past. Stats from suspended games count on the original date, leading to instances like Juan Soto hitting a home run on a date when he was still in the minors. Other players have played for two teams in one day, but never within the same game.
In conclusion, Danny Jansen’s upcoming feat of playing for both the Blue Jays and Red Sox in the same game is a truly historic and unprecedented event in baseball. The rules allow for such substitutions in suspended games, and Jansen’s unique situation adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already fascinating sport. As fans eagerly await Monday’s game at Fenway Park, they will witness a moment that will surely go down in baseball history.