Danny Jansen, a catcher currently playing for the Boston Red Sox, made history on Monday afternoon at Fenway Park. He became the first player ever to play for both teams in the same game when the Red Sox resumed their suspended game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Jansen, who hit seventh for the Red Sox and caught, went 1 for 4 with a single. This unique situation was orchestrated by Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who aimed to make history with this unconventional move.
The game that was resumed on Monday was originally suspended on June 26 due to rain in the top of the second inning. Jansen had started the game behind the plate for the Blue Jays, his longtime team. However, he was traded to the Red Sox at the deadline, which allowed him to replace Reese McGuire on the Red Sox roster and play for both Boston and Toronto in the same game.
The rules of Major League Baseball allow for substitutions in suspended games, as outlined in MLB Rule 7.02(h). This rule states that any player who was not with the club when the game was suspended may be used as a substitute, even if they were in the opposing team’s lineup. Therefore, Jansen playing for both the Blue Jays and Red Sox in this game was completely within the rules.
What made this situation even more unusual was that Jansen was at the plate taking his first at-bat when the game was originally suspended. When the game resumed, the Blue Jays had a runner on base, and Daulton Varsho, who replaced Jansen in Toronto’s lineup, inherited Jansen’s count. The Blue Jays and Red Sox were allowed to use their entire current roster when the game resumed, making for a seamless transition.
The Blue Jays also had to make several substitutions for the resumed game, as they had traded away several players from their original lineup and had one player on the injured list. The Red Sox made a few substitutions as well, though not as many as the Blue Jays. Both teams had to adjust their lineups to accommodate the changes that had occurred since the game was originally suspended.
While suspended games have led to quirky situations in the past, no player had ever played for both teams in the same game until Jansen’s historic moment. The completion of a suspended game is considered a continuation of the original game, and all stats from the game count on the original date. Jansen’s unique situation adds to the lore of suspended games and showcases the flexibility of MLB rules in handling such scenarios.
In conclusion, Danny Jansen’s feat of playing for both the Blue Jays and Red Sox in the same game is a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of baseball. This historic moment will be remembered as a quirky anomaly in the annals of the sport, adding to the rich tapestry of baseball lore.