White Sox’s Yermin Mercedes makes MLB history with 8-for-8 start

A single of the previous slogans for Mercedes-Benz was “the finest or practically nothing,” but one opening week MLB stat took that tagline to a new extraordinary

Chicago White Sox rookie Yermin Mercedes rapped 8 hits in his very first 8 at-bats, marking the most consecutive hits to commence a time in baseball’s fashionable era because 1900.

The 28-12 months-aged Mercedes, who experienced one prior major-league plate appearance in 2020, went five-for-five (four singles and a double) as Chicago’s specified hitter on Friday. He additional three much more hits (a home operate, a solitary and a double) as the DH all over again Saturday right before traveling out to heart field in his fourth trip.

“I under no circumstances imagined that. It is great for me,” Mercedes reported right after Saturday’s five-three decline to the Angels. “Now, it’s a new working day for me. I want to hold executing very well and work with my tactic. I want to play each individual working day and I’m thrilled for that.”

Mercedes, listed as a catcher and very first baseman, experienced performed in the Washington and Baltimore organizations right before signing with Chicago in 2018.

Yermin Mercedes record White Sox rookie MLB
White Sox rookie Yermin Mercedes established an MLB file by opening the 2021 time 8-for-8.
Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Images

Eloy Jimenez’s pectoral injury opened up taking part in time, and White Sox manager Tony La Russa has appreciated Mercedes’ tactic at the plate. 5 of his 8 hits have appear with two strikes.

“All of his hits have been clutch and he has been putting us in placement to test to win,” La Russa reported.

Mercedes also was the very first participant because 1933 – Washington’s Cecil Travis – to sign up 5 hits in his very first job start.

“I’m just hoping to wait around for my pitch and not do way too substantially,” he reported. “Just remain appropriate there and swing hard. It does not matter if it is two strikes or no strikes, I just want to see the ball.”