Baltimore Orioles rookie Gunnar Henderson hit his first career home run in his very first game. He also lost his helmet.
The Baltimore Orioles are the feel-good team of this season, as they are in the postseason hunt. The team brought some excitement, as they called up top prospect Adley Rutschman to be their starting catcher. But on Wednesday, the team officially called up their second-ranked prospect, third baseman Gunnar Henderson. He would make his debut on Wednesday, Aug. 31 against the Cleveland Guardians.
Henderson sure made the most of his very first major league game. In his second at-bat, the rookie sent a pitch deep to center field to extend Baltimore’s lead to 2-0. In the process, Henderson took off his helmet before rounding the bases.
FIRST HIT ✅
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 31, 2022
FIRST HOME RUN ✅ pic.twitter.com/Y6G6ycDiQ1
Gunnar Henderson hits first home run, loses helmet: Best memes and tweets
Not only was the baseball flying, but also Henderson’s flow. Twitter users reacted to the epic home run by the rookie.
Gunnar Henderson just hit an absolute nuke ... and completely lost his helmet in the process. He ran the bases on his first big league home run with his glorious lettuce flapping in the wind. What a stud.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 31, 2022
Gunnar Henderson's first Home Run Chain was bestowed upon him, of course, by Adley Rutschman pic.twitter.com/Sbsv7gZ6yt
— Zach Silver (@zachsilver) August 31, 2022
To hell with the helmet. This was DOPE from Gunnar Henderson. pic.twitter.com/srMEZ2w7gP
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltimoree) August 31, 2022
Gunnar Henderson rounding the bases after that 💣 pic.twitter.com/NwrYLGari9
— RAMEY (@HoodieRamey) August 31, 2022
Think this career is going to be a fun ride for #Orioles fans. #GunnarHenderson pic.twitter.com/vIfLAJ9fAP
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) August 31, 2022
Taking your first home run trot in the bigs without a helmet is so badass. Gunnar Henderson is a stud. pic.twitter.com/veqWT3dq9q
— Ben Porter (@Ben13Porter) August 31, 2022
Henderson made some history with his home run. According to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs, Henderson is the 10th player Orioles, Browns and Brewers history to hit a home run in their debut game. But, Henderson is now the youngest, as his 21 years and 63 days have passed Davy Jones’ 21 years and 77 days back in 1901!
Gunnar Henderson is the 10th player in Orioles/Browns/Brewers (1901!) franchise history with a HR in his MLB debut
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 31, 2022
at 21 years & 63 days old, he's the youngest to do so, surpassing 21-year, 77-day old Davy Jones for the club as the Brewers in 1901 https://t.co/ymU4UpBJfC
Prior to his call-up, Henderson recorded a .297 batting average, a .947 OPS, 19 home runs, 76 RBI, and 121 hits in 112 games between Double-A and Triple-A.
Henderson’s first-ever home run with the Orioles will forever be remembered, not just because of how far he hit it, but because he rounded the bases without a helmet.