Anthony Santander shows the Baltimore Orioles what they are missing out on
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Photo credit: MLB.com
Well before the first pitch, he went to pick up a delivery and instinctively began walking along the service level toward the right field line, the same route he used to take as an Orioles player. But as it hit him that he was now a visitor in the ballpark he'd called home for eight seasons, he turned back and made his way to the proper entrance, returning to the Toronto Blue Jays' clubhouse.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander delivers his first home run of the season in his return to Baltimore on Saturday.
Later, something much more familiar unfolded for the 22,130 fans at Camden Yards. Santander launched a no-doubt homer over the right field wall, his first as a Blue Jay, giving Toronto a 3-0 lead in the third inning.
However, the advantage didn't last, as the Orioles mounted a comeback against Jays starter Bowden Francis and secured a 5-4 win over Santander and his new squad.
Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet writes that Santander acknowledged the crowd's warm ovations several times, first before his initial at-bat as a visitor, and again after a tribute video honoring his time in Baltimore played on the center field scoreboard. Even after he homered, many fans continued to cheer for Santander, who hit 155 career home runs as an Oriole.
Here's what Santander had to say about the crowd's reaction in his return to Baltimore.
«When you feel that fans really love you it means a lot. Especially since they saw me grow up here as a player and as a person.» -Santander
The 30-year-old has had a sluggish start to the season, but returning to the familiar surroundings of Camden Yards lifted his spirits when he arrived at the ballpark on Saturday.
«I always go in with the mentality of hitting the ball hard. It took me 15 games, but I'm so happy that I did it...I haven't been performing the way I wanted, but I'll keep working hard.» -Santander
Here's what Blue Jays manager John Schneider had to say following the game.
«Cool moment here. Really cool that they recognized him the way they did and rightfully so for what he did here. So hopefully he can take a deep breath and I can stop saying before the games that he's getting close because he took some really good swings today.» -Schneider
Ultimately, Santander's early home run wasn't enough to contain the Orioles' offense, and the Blue Jays struggled to generate much else at the plate.
Now, they'll turn to José Berrios on Sunday, aiming to finish their three-city road trip with a 4-5 record instead of 3-6.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 13 | 2147 ANSWERS Anthony Santander shows the Baltimore Orioles what they are missing out on Will Santander hit another homerun on Sunday in Baltimore? | ||
| yes | 846 | 39.4 % |
| no | 1301 | 60.6 % |
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