Astros rookie Jeremy Peña hits 1st MLB homer while parents are interviewed on broadcast
Few moments are more exciting for a baseball player's parents than his first MLB home run. A well-timed interview gave Apple TV+ viewers a chance to hear what that sounds like.
Playing in his second game in the big leagues, Astros rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña hit his first career home run on Friday as his parents spoke with Apple TV+ reporter Heidi Watney on the broadcast, part of an eight-run inning against the Los Angeles Angels.
Peña's father was interrupted by a loud crack of the bat, then uninhibited screaming while the shortstop rounded the bases at Angel Stadium. If you want to hear what pure joy sounds like, give this a listen:
How special is this? Jeremy Peña's parents were on the mic for his first career HR. pic.twitter.com/wdvnoRePHp
— MLB (@MLB) April 9, 2022
"Happy, happy, happy now," the father said after exchanging a kiss with his wife.
The Astros selected Peña out of the University of Maine in the third round of the 2018 MLB draft. He is now ranked as the Astros' No. 1 prospect by MLB Pipeline.
Peña made his MLB debut on Thursday after being named to the Astros' opening day roster, replacing Carlos Correa — off to the Minnesota Twins on a three-year, $105 million deal — as the team's starting shortstop. He went hitless in his first game, but got his first career hit, a single, in the second inning on Friday.
Jeremy Peña, the @Astros' No. 1 prospect, picks up the first hit of his MLB career. pic.twitter.com/cAGhy2AjP5
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 9, 2022
He added a double as well, after batting around following his homer in the seventh inning.