New York Mets: Yoenis Cespedes, first DH to homer in NL game

New York Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes became the first-ever DH to hit a homer in an NL game.

When New York Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes homered on Opening Day off Atlanta’s Chris Martin he became the first designated hitter to do so in a National League game.

Since it’s inception in 1876 the senior circuit was one of two leagues worldwide that didn’t use the DH, the other being the Nippon League’s Central division. Due to the fact that MLB is facing an atypical season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both leagues agreed to institute the rule in each circuit.

The long ball by Cespedes was the actual difference in New York’s 1-0 win on Opening day and marked the third straight game that the Cuban Slugger went deep dating back to the last time he played in a season two years ago.

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The outfielder has missed a little over two years of time due to an array of ailments and surgeries to his lower legs, the most serious of them being a fractured ankle he suffered at home last season while hunting boar at his Florida home.

The native of Campechuela, Cuba seems like he’s dialed in and highly motivated in a contract year and that could pay dividends for the team from Queens. Cespedes is looking to sign one more lucrative deal to close his career.

Not only is he motivated to sign another big contract, but he’s also looking to make big money by hitting all the goals in his incentive-laden restructured deal.

The deal will pay him $6M guaranteed but could pay him as much as 15.7 million if he achieves certain goals. Originally it could have been as much as 30 million but that’s not a possibility any more due to the shortened season.

With Cespedes healthy and tandem with Michael Conforto and Pete Alonso, the Mets will have a formidable 3-4-5 in their batting order.

Can the talented slugger stay healthy and motivated the season? If he does look to see plenty of fireworks in Flushing this season.