Team GM Makes Baseball History With Homer During Game

Never before in the history of baseball has an active general manager hit a home run for his team. That changed on Wednesday afternoon, as Dominican Republic GM and player Nelson Cruz launched a missile in their World Baseball Classic warmup game against the Atlanta Braves.

Nelson Cruz becomes the first GM /player to hit a home run in baseball history. pic.twitter.com/4MA1ka5MIe

— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) March 8, 2023

The Dominican lineup is so stacked with dynamic young talent already, it almost seems unfair to have their GM add to the damage they can inflict in a game. 

Nelson Cruz -- General Manager and Home Run Hitter, Team Dominican Republic. 😮💥 pic.twitter.com/t98az7X1KB

— MLB (@MLB) March 8, 2023

In 18 big league seasons, Cruz has 459 career dongs, with an .859 OPS. With this first-ever GM home run, the likely future Hall of Famer adds yet another notch to his resume. He's set to suit up for the San Diego Padres for his 19th season.

With a lineup that already includes Manny Machado, Juan Soto, Rafael Devers, Julio Rodriguez, Wander Franco and Jeremy Pena among others, Cruz's DR team is the betting favorite to win the WBC. And that's after having lost the services of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 

Not a bad general managerial debut for the ageless Cruz.