SF Giants: LaMonte Wade Jr. hopes to get ball from historic Splash Hit
While the SF Giants lost to the Orioles on Friday night, dropping their third consecutive game, first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. made history by blasting the 100th Splash Hit in Oracle Park's history. The lead-off homer was Wade's fifth career Splash Hit, bringing him into a tie with Denard Span, Mike Yastrzemski, and Joc Pederson on the Giants all-time Splash Hit leaderboard.
SF Giants first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run. (2023)
John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
"They showed a video out there of all the Splash Hits that've happened," Wade mentioned after the game. "That was really cool to see that. It started off with Barry and Craw and Belt and all those guys. Yaz hitting balls in the water. I saw Pablo hit one in there, Dickerson. Just to be a part of that group means a lot. To hit the 100th one is really special."
The fan who corralled the ball in McCovey Cove was willing to give the ball back for a couple of signed balls, a signed bat, and a picture with Wade. While it's conceivable that the Giants could want the ball to add to the park's collection, it does not sound like their first baseman will be too happy if the ball stays at Oracle.
"I don't know who it goes to, but I think personally, it should go to me," Wade said. "I would like to keep it. So, I'm pretty sure we're going to have some discussions and negotiations about that, but I think it should be mine."
Wade knows exactly what he wants to do with the ball if it ends up in his possession, deliver it to his mother, Emily. It's hard to imagine the Giants will say no to that.
"I'm going to give it straight to my mom," who has developed a nice collection of souvenirs from her son's career. Wade joked that she probably already had her eye on the newest prize. "I know that's her buzzing my phone right now."
His homer on Friday night was the latest highlight from a breakout season for the SF Giants first baseman. LaMonte Wade Jr. is now hitting .271/.407/.459 with six doubles, a triple, and eight home runs on the season. He currently ranks eighth in MLB in fWAR (1.4) among qualified first baseman and has an outside shot of receiving his first selection to the All-Star Game this summer.
