Danny Jansen Makes MLB History by Playing for Both Teams in the Same Game
Danny Jansen made history in Major League Baseball on Monday.
Jansen became the first MLB player to feature in the same game for both teams when the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays resumed their suspended matchup at Fenway Park.
During the initial game on June 26, Jansen was the starting catcher for Toronto, batting in the second inning when the game was halted. He was subsequently traded from the Blue Jays to the Red Sox on July 27.
When play resumed Monday morning, Daulton Varsho took over Jansen’s position in Toronto’s lineup, while Jansen now caught for the Red Sox, going up against his former teammates.
In the end, Jansen’s previous team triumphed over the Red Sox, winning the suspended game 4-1. Jansen ended the game with 1 hit in 4 at-bats, including a single in the fifth inning, contributing to Boston’s four total hits.
“I didn’t think much about it when I got traded, but I recall seeing a tweet about it earlier,” Jansen shared with MLB.com following the game. “Over the past couple of weeks, it gained more attention in the media. A couple of weeks ago, I realized it could actually happen. When (Boston manager Alex Cora) named me as the catcher for this game, it became more real to me.”
As the news of his historic moment spread across the baseball community, Jansen received numerous text messages.
“Everyone keeps saying history is happening,” Jansen noted. “It’s such an unusual experience. I never expected to find myself in a situation recognized as historic. I guess I had thought it would have happened before.”
Jansen’s accomplishment is anticipated to be recorded by the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
“I haven’t talked to them directly, but I believe there’s a process for getting some items authenticated. I’ve spoken with a few authenticators about possibly sending something, which is pretty exciting,” Jansen added.
At 29 years old, and set to become a free agent after this season, Jansen spent 12 years with Toronto before being traded to Boston. He was selected by the Blue Jays in the 16th round of the 2013 draft and debuted in MLB on August 13, 2018, against the Kansas City Royals.
