Lehigh University Athletics
Photo by: Major League Baseball
Black Makes MLB Debut For San Francisco Giants In Philadelphia
5/8/2024 9:26:00 AM | Baseball
Welcome to the Show, Mason Black 🤩
— Lehigh Sports (@LehighSports) May 7, 2024
We had the chance to catch up with Mason and @LehighBaseball head coach Sean Leary after Mason's MLB Debut on Monday#GoLehigh pic.twitter.com/hVLiuDoXfT
PHILADELPHIA – Mason Black needed one more out to retire the Phillies 1-2-3 in his first-ever inning in Major League Baseball. He had already forced a two-time all-star in Kyle Schwarber to ground out and struck out three-time all-star J.T. Realmuto for his first career K. However, a 300+ home run hitter and two-time MVP by the name of Bryce Harper stood in his way to get out of the inning.
"If you're writing the script and you say you're going to go against the best team with the best record… Let's write this script and see what happens," said Mason's father George Black on the NBC Sports Philadelphia broadcast. "This is awesome. I sat there in disbelief… it is unbelievable what he's able to achieve."
Black, a right-handed pitcher for the Mountain Hawks from 2019-21, became the 18th player in Lehigh history on Monday to play in the major leagues and third under the leadership of head coach Sean Leary. He was drafted in the third round of the MLB Draft in 2021 by the San Francisco Giants, and after posting a 1.01 ERA for the Sacramento River Cats in Triple-A this season, Black earned his chance to play on baseball's biggest stage.
The debut was especially sweet for not only Black, but also for his supporters. He estimated between 100-200 people showed up to Citizens Bank Park for his debut, including former college and high school teammates, coaches, family and friends.
"It means a lot being close to home," said Black on his MLB debut in Philadelphia. "I felt bad, being a getaway day, I wasn't able to see every person out there. But it was incredible."
The announcement of Black's call-up came on Sunday evening less than 24 hours from first pitch in Philly. Leary and the Mountain Hawks were on the bus back from Holy Cross when the team learned of the news. It was a special moment for Leary and his team, as the senior class played with him in 2021 and the sophomore and junior classes were coached by Black during his stint as director of operations in the fall of 2022.
"All but our first-year class actually either played with or was coached by Mason, so there was a connectedness and [the players] were buzzing," said Leary. "The excitement on the bus was 'this is our guy', not just a Lehigh guy. Everybody on that bus had a connection to Mason."
Leary, along with dozens of others, made the trip to Philadelphia to watch his debut on Monday. He witnessed his former ace retire the side 1-2-3 in the top of the first, including a looking strikeout of Harper.
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Talk about a strong 1st inning for Mason Black 😮 pic.twitter.com/uoWab7YXsz
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) May 6, 2024
Although the Giants ultimately lost the game 6-1, Black impressed through the first four innings, striking out four batters while conceding only three hits and one earned run. He finished the day tossing 4.1 innings, getting pulled in the fifth after allowing four runs in the frame. San Francisco manager Bob Melvin was impressed with what he saw out of the 24-year-old rookie despite the loss.
"We needed him to go out for the fifth today," said Melvin. "Early on, two times through the lineup, he was really good. I'm proud of him."
Melvin also mentioned that Black has earned his next start for the Giants and will remain in the majors for the time being. When asked on whether he preferred playing in a major league stadium or at J. David Walker Field, Black answered with a smile.
"Probably here, but it's pretty close."
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