PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He called getting the win a cherry on top of an awesome day as Konnor Griffin made his major league debut in a Pirates 5-3 home opening win over Baltimore.
Griffin drove in the first run of the game with his first hit in his first at bat.
"What an at-bat,” said Pirates manager Don Kelly. “In his first at-bat, to drive a double like that, after you know, the first two curveballs and to stay with it, just so mature as a 19-year-old. We talked about it before the game, the ability to stay on that and drive the baseball. And to follow that up with base hit after base hit, ultimately that's how we're going to score runs.”
“Yes, the home runs are great, but we gotta continue to stack at-bats together and score runs that way. It was really great."
"I was up there trying to compete,” Griffin said. “I feel like that's the goal, to kind of make it sound like that every time you get in the box, just focus on the pitcher and go compete.”
Griffin said he really didn’t hear the crowd go silent during the at bat, but definitely heard them go crazy as he stood on second base after the double, calling that special.
"Yeah, it was cool,” Kelly said. “There was excitement, anticipation and honestly, that's what playoff baseball is all about -- learning those moments like that where it gets really loud, then gets quiet and you have to continue to compete through it all. I thought it was awesome today."
Griffin said he felt comfortable playing his MLB debut, he really settled in during the middle of the game. The 19-year-old even challenged a strike call on the ABS instant replay, and was the only challenger to win Friday.
He saw the ball well and said if he continues to do that, good things will continue to happen.
The 19-year-old was scouted and signed by Bill Mazeroski’s son Darren, he said he’s the reason he’s here. Griffin said Maz’s son believed in him and took a chance on him. He said it was an honor to be in the lineup the day the Pirates honored Bill Mazeroski, it is something he’s going to cherish for a long time.
About 30 to 40 friends and family came up to see his first game in the majors, he said he has a huge support staff and couldn’t wait to get with them after the game to celebrate the achievement.
"They may have enjoyed it more than me,” Griffin said. “Every time I looked up to see where they were sitting they were just going crazy and man, I can't wait to get out there and see them and hug them and thank them for all they've done for me."
It was this comment that really seemed to encapsulate the moment.
"Just keep going,” Griffin said. “This journey is so fun. It can be really hard at times but just keep fighting like you're a kid and treat it like you're playing wiffle ball in the backyard. That's the goal, if we can keep it that simple. I know it's a job and can be more serious at times but just trying to keep that little kid happy in my heart that's been chasing this dream for a long time.”
LISTEN to what Konnor Griffin said about his career opener
