Danny Jansen etched his name in Major League Baseball history on August 26, 2024, by becoming the first player to appear for two different teams in the same game. This unprecedented event occurred during the continuation of a game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox that had been suspended due to rain on June 26.Jansen, who was traded from the Blue Jays to the Red Sox on July 27, found himself in the unique position of starting the game as a Blue Jay and finishing it as a Red Sox. The situation became even more surreal when Jansen had to catch against his own pinch-hitter, as he was replaced in the Blue Jays’ lineup by Daulton Varsho.Despite the unusual circumstances, Jansen performed exceptionally well, going 4-for-4 at the plate. However, his stellar performance wasn’t enough to secure a win for his new team, as the Blue Jays emerged victorious with a 4-1 score.’It’s a unique feeling to be part of baseball history,’ Jansen remarked in a press conference. ‘The game has been played for a long time, and many things have happened. So, I was surprised to see that I would be the first. At any moment, you can be part of the history of this great game, and it’s a pleasant surprise.’ The significance of the event was not lost on the baseball community. A MLB authenticator was on site to handle all of Jansen’s equipment from the game for historical purposes, and the Baseball Hall of Fame requested the official scorecard to document this piece of history.While Jansen is the first to achieve this feat at the Major League level, there is at least one known instance of a similar occurrence in the minor leagues. In 1986, Dale Holman played for both the Syracuse Chiefs and Richmond Braves in the same Triple-A game.This extraordinary occurrence highlights the unpredictable nature of baseball and adds another fascinating chapter to the sport’s rich history. As Jansen aptly put it, ‘Any time you can be a part of this great game’s history, it’s pretty unique.’
Key points
- Danny Jansen became the first MLB player to play for both teams in a single game on August 26, 2024.
- Jansen went 4-for-4 in the historic game, despite his new team, the Red Sox, losing to his former team, the Blue Jays, 4-1.
- The Baseball Hall of Fame requested the official scorecard to document this unique piece of baseball history.
