Rays' player's homer at Wrigley harkens back to familiar memory

Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Christopher Morel. Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images

Rays' player hits HR at Wrigley Field that harkens back to familiar memory

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Sep 12, 2025 3:42 PM ET

For a sense of serendipity, Tampa Bay Rays ' Christopher Morel hit a very familiar home run against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon.

With two on and nobody out, Morel absolutely crushed a pitch to deep left center field. And when that ball traveled out of Chicago's Wrigley Field, it immediately harkened back to fonder memory for the fans in attendance.

Morel's three-run blast was his 11th of the season in his 96th game played. It also came in his first at-bat of his first game back at Wrigley since being traded by the Cubs in July 2024.

Christopher Morel's first at-bat at Wrigley Field as a Cub: home run

Morel's first at-bat at Wrigley Field as a Ray: pic.twitter.com/1di8xHRNOo
— MLB (@MLB) September 12, 2025

And for a sense of irony, Morel hitting a home run in his first at-bat at Wrigley Field as a Ray furthers his bizarre debut luck at one of baseball's most historic venues.

During his rookie year in 2022, Morel also hit a home run in his first at-bat at Wrigley Field as a Cub, which was actually the first at-bat of his MLB career.

In the interest of soaking up his big achievement at the time, Morel turned around to his then home fans to celebrate while running the bases.

Christopher Morel's first home run at Wrigley Field came in his first Major-League at-bat! https://t.co/8kLXIXhzJI pic.twitter.com/uwJV15Lybw
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) September 12, 2025

Overall, Morel now has 74 career home runs 204 RBI in four years and 468 games played.

Following Friday's game, the Cubs and Rays will continue their three-game series throughout the weekend. Both remaining games in the series are scheduled for afternoon affairs, starting on Saturday with the first pitch set for 2:20 p.m. ET.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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