I called my parents just to say hi after seeing this rookie's emotional first home run, and you should, too
This is the stuff, right there. The moments that sports provide which enrich all of our lives as viewers, and pack enough of an emotional punch to make us want to pick up the phone and give Mom or Dad a call. Or hug your spouse, or roommate, or cat, or whomever.
When a rookie player makes his Major League debut, there's a sense of anticipation and, I assume, exceptional anxiety when the moment comes. His very first game in a big league uniform, on a big league field, playing for a big league team. Years of Little League, high school, college and Minor League experience, all building to this moment.
A's catching prospect Sean Murphy made his mark in Wednesday night's 4-0 win over the Angels, smashing a 95-mph fastball to the opposite field for a home run. His first Major League hit was a home run. Cue the excitement:
✅ First @MLB hit!
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) September 5, 2019
✅ First @MLB home run!
Welcome to the bigs, Sean!#RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/PiMWHLyNET
This is truly what it's all about. For Murphy's parents, this scene was the culmination of something that may very well never have happened -- and yet, their son was there, on the field, and he hit a home run as his first hit. That's the definition of "storybook," and it's also the very reason I'm sitting here reaching for my phone to call my parents.
Who's cutting onions?
Sean's family is here, and we catch stop watching this 💚💛#RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/zJdkcLxmmp
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) September 5, 2019
This is a level of pride, joy and swelling, all-encompassing bliss that we all strive for. We don't all achieve it, however.
Sean Murphy's dad couldn't hold back the tears as his son, a 24-year-old phenom expected to do big things for the A's now and in the future, announced his arrival with a bang.
I mean ... that's just an incredible scene on a human level -- let alone the baseball context that really makes it shine. Parents, beaming with pride as their son fulfills a lifelong dream, one he probably formed in his mind as a child and put in the work, year after year, honing his skills with one dream and one dream only in mind.
OK, seriously -- who's cutting onions? Can you stop it? My eyes, they're stinging.
Anyway. I should call my mom.
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OK, I called my mom. She interrupted me when I asked if she saw this home run, saying, "YES, they were SO excited," regarding Murphy's parents, noting that it must feel pretty "exhilarating" to witness that in person like they did. We then engaged in some small talk about my cat, my wife's job, etcetera, before I apologized for never making them as excited about anything I've done in my life as Murphy's parents were with him tonight.
My mom laughed, "Oh, c'mon, yes you have," and then our call was over.
I still don't think I'm on Sean Murphy's level, though. That's just asking too much. But you should definitely call your parents or a loved one. Show them the Murphy family's big moment if they haven't seen it, and then the conversation will just flow naturally.
Adrian Garro joined MLB.com in 2016. Throughout his travels, both Bartolo Colon and Vin Scully have placed their hands on his shoulders. Not at the same time, though. That'd be amazing.
