Mike Zunino tapped into newfound 'dad strength' to homer in his first game as a father
2019 has been a season of change already for
Zunino left the Rays on paternity leave on Friday and returned with a big new addition to his family.
For this child I have prayed and The Lord has granted the desires of my heart
— Alyssa Zunino (@AlyssaZunino) April 20, 2019
1 Samuel 1:27
Welcome to the world Rhett! Daddy and I love you more than you’ll ever know! Blessed beyond words! pic.twitter.com/wm5kEPiEy7
Although Zunino had slumped through his first 14 games with a .560 OPS, he had a new purpose when he got the start for the Rays in their 6-3 win over the Royals on Monday. In the seventh inning, he faced
It did:
So this is what they mean by dad strength? 💪#RaysUp pic.twitter.com/ECs1VLHj5Y
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 23, 2019
It was Zunino's first homer of the season. Someday, little Rhett is going to look back on this long ball and smile.
What will Zunino's next act of dad strength be? Going deep again? Opening a tight jar of applesauce? Blasting Bruce Springsteen from mediocre speakers in a car that only operates on stick shift?
We can only guess.