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Tampa Bay Rays Rookie Makes History With First-Ever Moment

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Eric W. Bolin | Last updated Mar 28, 2025 8:18 PM ET

Kameron Misner most likely wouldn't have made the Tampa Bay Rays Opening Day roster without injuries. But Richie Palacios' fractured thumb sent him to injured list to start the year and a place for another outfielder opened on the roster.

Misner, who is not even among the Rays' top 30 prospects, according to MLB.com, was the right man in the right place, even though he had been sent down from the big club during spring training back on March 17.

Still, Misner had put up solid, workman-like numbers at Triple-A Durham last year, slashing .248/.360/.442 in his third with the organization, earning a 15-at-bat cup of coffee at the end of the year. He collected only one hit in those 15 ABs, but the season was enough to keep him on the 40-man roster and earn the shot to make his season debut Friday.

And what a debut it was.

Misner didn't start against the Rockies in both teams' season opener, but entered as a defensive replacement in a 2-2 game in the top of the eighth. When his first turn at the plate came up in the ninth, he ended the game.

Misner took the first major-league pitch he saw, a fastball from Colorado reliever Victor Vodnik, over the the rightfield fence to give Tampa Bay a 3-2 walk-off win. In doing so, he became the first player in MLB history to have his first career home run come on a walk-off on Opening Day.

"I'm actually still trying to feel it," he said after the win. "It all happened so fast. Best-case scenario."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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