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Washington, D.C. – Catcher Shea Langeliers had a historic performance on Tuesday night, hitting three home runs as the leadoff hitter, leading the Oakland Athletics to a resounding 16-7 victory over the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.
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It was the first time in his 394 games in the Major Leagues that Langeliers led off his team's batting order, and the result was extraordinary. He hit five hits, three of them home runs, and became the first player since at least 1900 to hit three home runs in his debut as a leadoff hitter. "It was a great night for Shea," said manager Mark Kotsay. "He's in a great offensive moment, and we decided to give him the opportunity to lead the lineup. He responded with greatness." Langeliers also joined an elite group as only the second catcher in MLB history with three home runs as a leadoff hitter, alongside Travis d’Arnaud (2019). In addition, he reached 20 home runs in the season, joining figures like Mike Piazza and Johnny Bench in achieving that figure in three of his first four campaigns.The first home run came just four pitches after the start of the game, a 402-foot hit against MacKenzie Gore. Then he repeated in the fifth inning (387 feet) and culminated his night with a 419-foot blast in the seventh inning. With 15 total bases, he tied the record for a catcher in a single game since at least 1900.
Langeliers, who is batting .435 since the All-Star break, now has 10 home runs in that span, tying for the MLB lead with Kyle Schwarber. "I don't know if this will be permanent," Langeliers commented on his new role in the lineup. "But I'm willing to bat where the team needs me."
