How Benge reacted to rough MLB debut en route to making Mets history

Carson Benge, of the New York Mets rounds the bases after hitting his first MLB home-run, in his first game, Thursday, March 26, 2026. Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

How Carson Benge reacted to rough MLB debut en route to making some Mets history

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Mar 27, 2026 8:57 AM ET

Rookie Carson Benge of the New York Mets only recently learned that he would be the team's starting right fielder for New York's Opening Day home game versus the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday afternoon.

Benge then experienced varying emotions during what became an 11-7 win for the hosts.

How Carson Benge stayed calm after rough pair of at-bats

As SNY's Colin Martin noted, Benge struck out in his first two at-bats, one of which involved the 23-year-old going down on three straight pitches. Following the victory, Benge shared how he kept himself from getting into a funk following those forgettable plate appearances.

"Just calm down," Benge said that he told himself. "Just deep breath, calm down. Great atmosphere, great fans. Just trying to bring myself back down so I can compete."

Benge's advice to himself worked, as he walked in his next at-bat. In the bottom of the sixth inning, he produced a swing he won't soon forget and that Mets fans hope will prove to be a sign of things to come:

Carson Benge's first career HR comes on #OpeningDay! pic.twitter.com/kJZCKOh2xt
— MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026

"I kind of blacked out running around the bases," Benge admitted about his immediate reaction to his first career MLB home run. "I don't really remember too much. I know I got it good off of the bat, but running hard out of the box, definitely."

According to David Lennon of Newsday, Benge became only the second Mets player in history to homer in his major league debut on Opening Day. Kaz Matsui accomplished the feat back in 2004.

How Carson Benge plans to avoid getting too high after memorable MLB debut

Benge acknowledged that his official MLB debut was "everything and more" that he could have asked for.

"You really can’t top it by trying to imagine it," he continued. "Once you’re there, you’ll know the feeling."

Benge and the Mets will be off Friday before the three-game series against Pittsburgh resumes on Saturday. He insisted that he plans to focus on "trying to get better every single day" and not on what he achieved on Thursday.

"Go play my game," Benge added about how he'll approach his next opportunity to impress.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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