Carson Benge started the day as just another Mets rookie making his MLB debut, and ended it in rare company: one of just two to hit a home run on Opening Day in that MLB debut.
Even better: it was his first major-league hit, period.
Benge was 0-2 with two swinging strikeouts and a walk when he came up in the sixth, and, swinging at the first pitch he saw from Justin Lawrence, Benge launched an 82 MPH sweeper into the Mets bullpen to bring up the apple for the first of what the Mets and their fans hope is many, many times.
Carson Benge's first MLB hit...put it in the books and raise the apple baby, it's a dinger!
Here's @HowieRose's call from Audacy Mets Radio! pic.twitter.com/GMNmTNK57o
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) March 26, 2026
With the dinger, Benge joins Kaz Matsui in 2004 as the only Mets to make their MLB debut on Opening Day and homer in that game, and earned himself a shower from both the water bucket and orange Gatorade bucket as he gave an on-field post-game interview to NBC.
Benge entered spring as the Mets’ No. 2 prospect and No. 16 overall in baseball, and earned a spot on the team by hitting .366 in the spring – but he did not homer in Grapefruit League play, instead waiting until his MLB debut to clobber what is the 18th homer of his short pro career.
