It was bound to happen some time during the 2021 season. The 2020 season had ended with Ryan Weathers making his debut, becoming the 19,902nd player in MLB history. At some point, the 20000th player in the history of the game would appear, ensuring that player’s spot in history.
That moment occurred on Friday night. When he entered the game in the sixth inning, Seattle Mariners catcher Jose Godoy put his name into the history books as the 20000th player in MLB history.
Jose Godoy had long journey to Seattle Mariners
Godoy had a long journey to the majors. He signed as an international free agent out of Venezuela, agreeing to a $200,000 bonus with the Cardinals. He spent nine years in their system, and was at the Cardinals’ alternate site for 2020. However, he was unable to crack the major league roster in that time.
After electing free agency following the 2020 season, he was signed by the Mariners on a minor league deal. He was off to a hot start at Triple-A, producing a .310/.375/.517 batting line with two homers in 32 plate appearances.
Godoy also has a solid minor league track record. He has a .275/.362/.360 batting line in his 1770 plate appearances. While he is not going to hit for much power, with 17 career homers, he does have a solid eye and contact skills. He has drawn 178 walks while striking out just 228 times in his minor league career, which coupled with his strong arm, could give him a respectable career as a major league backup.
Those skills were on display in his debut as well. Although he grounded out weakly in his first major league plate appearance, he drew a walk his second time up. Granted, he was in the game to rest the Mariners regular catcher in a 16-1 blowout, but to Godoy, that game will live on forever.
Jose Godoy put his name in the record books on Friday night. The Seattle Mariners backup catcher became the 20000th player in major league history.