Leadoff HR helps George Springer equal a Hall of Famer
Toronto Blue Jays veteran outfielder George Springer smashed the 53rd leadoff home run of his career on Friday and, in the process, equaled a Hall of Famer.
Facing off against the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays, Springer went yard in the bottom of the first, tying Houston Astros great Craig Biggio for the third-most leadoff homers in MLB history.
The 33-year-old trails former New York Yankees star Alfonso Soriano by only one home run for second on the all-time list. The next time Springer goes deep in the first at-bat of a game, only the dynamic Rickey Henderson will be ahead of him. Henderson hit 81 leadoff home runs over his remarkable 25-year MLB career.
Springer wasted little time getting the Blue Jays on the board Friday, smashing the second pitch thrown by Tampa Bay starter Drew Rasmussen 440 feet over the left-centerfield fence at Rogers Centre.
According to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, Springer's shot left his bat at 115.9 mph, the second-hardest hit ball of his career.
Springer is in his third season with the Blue Jays after inking a six-year, $150 million free-agent deal in 2021. So far, Springer has pulled his weight. Over his first two seasons in Toronto, Springer has recorded 47 home runs and 126 RBI, slashing .266/.346/.503 through 211 games.
Ahead of Friday's action, Springer had two homers and six RBI, batting .268/.305/.375.
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