ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers rookie Wyatt Langford finally knocked a home run, even if it stayed inside the ballpark.
It was more electric that way.
Langford in the first inning Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds drove a pitch to the right-centerfield gap that appeared to have a chance at flying over the fence. Instead, it hit the fence and caromed back into the outfield, past the converging Reds outfielders.
The speedy Langford raced around second base with what appeared to be an easy triple. But Langford kept going, charging hard around third base and sliding safely into home.
Here's the video, from two angles:
It was Langford's first career home run, which immediately begged the question: When was the last time a player's first career homer was a rare inside-the-park variety?
Ironically enough, the last time it happened for a Ranger was in 2022, when Josh Smith did it. Smith is still on the Rangers' roster, so Langford has something very rare in common with his teammate.
Before Smith, Craig Gentry pulled off the same first homer feat in 2011 for the Rangers, and Marc Sagmoen did it in 1997.
Langford was the Rangers' first-round draft pick in 2023 and quickly rose through the ranks of the minors, making Texas' Opening Day roster out of spring training. He's contributed steadily, racking up 24 hits in 26 games before Sunday. But he was still waiting on that first home run. He finally found it, even if it stayed in the confines of the ballpark.
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