Soto Honored to Donate Home Run Ball to Hall of Fame

HOUSTON – Juan Soto had already stopped thinking about the historic ball he hit for a majestic home run in his World Series debut in Game 1. The Washington Nationals’ phenom assumed a fan had it, and he was cool with that.

Soto was already focused on Game 2 of the World Series when he was informed Wednesday afternoon that the ball had been retrieved from the train tracks atop the left-center field facade at Minute Maid Park.

Then the 20-year-old from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, got an offer he couldn’t refuse. He was ecstatic when he learned that the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., was interested in the artifact.

He agreed immediately, relinquishing any claim to the ball he hit for his first World Series home run to become just the fourth player to homer in the Fall Classic before celebrating his 21st birthday.

“For me, it’s an honor to (have something) in the Hall of Fame,” Soto said after the Nationals beat the Astros 12-3 in Game 2 to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Series. “When they told me that, I didn’t believe it.

“They brought me the ball and we had a picture taken with it. I’m so happy. The fruits of my labor are coming in from all the work I’ve put in.”

After two games, Soto is already one of the frontrunners for the World Series MVP. With his majestic home run in the fourth inning of Game 1 he joined Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle, who did it twice, and Miguel Cabrera, Andruw Jones and Travis Jackson as the fourth player to homer in the Fall Classic before turning 21.

Soto, who will celebrate his birthday Friday, also became the first player to homer, hit a double and steal a base in his World Series debut before turning 21. He also became the second youngest player behind Cabrera to hit cleanup in the Fall Classic. Only Jones homered in his Fall Classic debut in an age earlier than Soto homered in his World Series debut.

A day later, Soto made more history in Game 2 when he doubled in the third inning for his third extra-base hit of the World Series. Only Mantle, who had four extra-base hits, had more extra-base hits in the Fall Classic before his 21st birthday. Soto and Jones each had three extra-base hits in the World Series before their 21st birthdays.

Soto has had six extra-base hits in the postseason, tying Cabrera for the most postseason extra-base hits by a player under 21 in history.

He’ll have to settle for a tie because he’ll celebrate his birthday Friday.

“I’m celebrating my birthday right now,” he said. “Yesterday and today I just celebrated after the game. I think that’s the best gift I can get. Just dancing with my teammates in here after the game, after the win. When you get that win, and (moreover) a win like that, a really special win, it feels really good.”

The Nationals franchise is in its first World Series. They’re two victories away from the title, so there will be a few more chances to provide moments worthy of creating artifacts for the Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame definitely appreciated the donation.

“That’s a pretty esteemed list and an important piece of history,” Jon Shestakofsky, the Hall of Fame’s vice president of communication and education, said of the men to homer in the World Series before turning 21. “Now this home run that he hit went all the way up into the train tracks here at Minute Maid Park. …

“After the game, MLB and Minute Maid Park staff were able to go up there and retrieve the ball. It was delivered to the Nationals clubhouse. Soto was made aware that Cooperstown was hoping to bring it back for the Hall of Fame, and he was happy to have it come to Cooperstown as a part of baseball history that will be preserved forever.”

Soto posed for a picture with the ball before giving it to the Hall of Fame.

He’s thrilled to have an artifact at a place where all of the game’s immortals have some sort of presence, whether with a plaque or an artifact.

“For me it’s a pleasure to be alongside all those greats, all those players, who have done all their work,” Soto said. “To me it’s a pleasure to be there.”

The Hall of Fame also received a ball from the four-pitcher no-hitter the Astros threw on Aug. 3 against the Mariners. Aaron Sanchez, who started that game, donated his cap as well.

He and relievers Will Harris, Joe Biagini and Chris Devenski and catcher Martin Maldonado signed the ball that was donated to the Hall of Fame. Justin Verlander also donated the cap he wore the day he collected the 3,000th strikeout of his career this season.

Featured Image: National Baseball Hall of Fame Twitter