The impossible has happened – Chicago Cubs speedster Terrance Gore notched a base hit.
When the Chicago Cubs acquired Terrance Gore from the Kansas City Royals, it was for one reason only – his speed. Gore is a noted speedster, a demon on the basepaths. Even though he had yet to record a hit in his 15 plate appearances, he had 23 steals and 14 runs scored in 53 career games. His speed was a key part of the Royals postseason runs in 2014 and 2015. He could be a weapon, if used right.
That same style of play has appeared during his brief time with the Cubs. In four games, Gore has stolen two bases. In his one plate appearance, he struck out. As he was 0-12 with the bat with five strikeouts, a walk, and two hit by pitches, he was not going to be a weapon at the plate. Gore’s lifetime .239/.333/.273 batting line in the minors did not lead to anyone expecting that to change.
But baseball is a game where anything can happen. Gore had entered the first game of the Cubs doubleheader against the Nationals, with Chicago facing a 10-1 deficit. He came up in the bottom of the ninth, with Max Scherzer on the mound. He had been in command, and should put Gore away with ease.
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Then, baseball happened. Gore took Scherzer’s 1-0 fastball up the middle, collecting a single as his grounder got through the infield. The slide, dating back to when Gore first appeared in the majors in 2014, was over. Gore would later come around to score in that inning, the final run in what would be a 10-3 defeat for Chicago.
While the Cubs would have obviously have preferred a different outcome given their playoff quest, they were able to give Gore the moment of a lifetime. He had been to the highest point, winning a World Series ring due to his speed, but had never received that ball from his first hit. And to collect it off of a pitcher like Scherzer? That keepsake has to feel even more special.
Perhaps this can be the start of a new era for Gore. Maybe, now that he has that first hit under his belt, more will be forthcoming. He can be more relaxed, not wondering if he will ever get that knock. Besides, how many pitchers better than Scherzer will he face?
Terrance Gore will never be an every day player, but now that the Chicago Cubs speedster got his first hit, maybe he can be more than today’s Herb Washington.