Saturday, 5 August 2023:
Young Adelaide baseballer Curtis Mead is off to a flying start in Major League, recording a base hit in his first at-bat for Tampa Bay.
The 22-year-old, who plays for the Adelaide Giants in the Australian Baseball League, became the 37th Australian to play Major League Baseball (MLB).
Mead came on in the seventh inning of Friday's match and was part of the Rays' 8-0 win over Detroit Tigers in their three-game series.
He had his first at-bat in the eighth inning and recorded a base hit, before making an impressive defensive play at third base to record an out.
Mead is one of two Australians currently in the league, joining Perth's Liam Hendriks - a relief pitcher for the Chicago White Sox.
He has been told he will start the second game on Saturday.
"This is surreal," he said. "When I found out, it was a really special moment that I'll never forget.
"The best part was getting to tell the people I love and share the moment with them."
Mead, a third baseman and batter, can expect to earn a minimum of $720,000 ($A1.1 million) a year if he stays in the major leagues.
Former MLB player and current Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams said it was always a special day when an Australian made the big leagues.
"We are thrilled for Curtis, his family and the many people in the baseball community that helped him along the journey," Williams said.
"The Australian baseball community will be right behind him as he makes his debut."
Mead is one of 23 Australians affiliated with a Major League Club, with 21 currently playing in the minor leagues trying to work their way up.
His fine start will be a major boost for Australia, who made it to the quarter-finals of the recent World Baseball Classic.
Meanwhile, Hendriks will miss at least a year after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm.
Just a few months ago, the 34-year-old declared he was cancer-free after being treated for non-Hogkin lymphoma.
He received a standing ovation when he returned to Major League action in May.
