Tribe Rookie has Grand First AB

Kevin Kouzmanoff stepped up to the plate for the first time in his MLB career in the first inning with the bases loaded and two outs against the Texas Rangers. The Cleveland Indians rookie then hit a grand slam on the first pitch.

Kouzmanoff didn't expect to get called up until Tuesday when the Buffalo Bisons season ended, but a hand injury to Travis Hafner left the Indians in need of a DH so they brought the hot-hitting infielder up early to fill in the DH spot in tonights game.

Kouzmanoff filled in for Hafner, who tied Don Mattingly's single season record for grand slams in a season earlier this year quite fittingly.

At press time the Indians were leading the Rangers 6-2 in the bottom of the 5th inning.

Source

• Cleveland Indians

Date

Sat 09/02/06, 5:38 pm EST

UfgatorsDiv-I Stud

766 days ago

Score 2

wow! i dont know about first at bat grand slams, but here's a list of first at-bat homers: http://baseb...feats5.shtml

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Bobbyjim45Draft Pick

765 days ago

Score 0

That just proves that this guy will be lucky to reach double digits in his career.

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SashaDiv-I Stud

766 days ago

Score 2

He is one of three to hit a grander first at-bat and the only one to hit the first pitch.

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

766 days ago

Score 2

I've heard of peaking too soon in your career, but this is ridiculous!

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Manny StilesAAA-er

765 days ago

Score 1

Jeremy Hermidia did this last year (in a pinch hit AB) - Two in two years??? After NONE for 107 years??? key the "Twilight Zone" theme music

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SashaDiv-I Stud

765 days ago

Score -1

Soon all rookies will be expected to hit grand slams in the first AB. Games will be 8 hours long and beer sales will go through the roof.

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Manny StilesAAA-er

765 days ago

Score 0

what do you mean 'soon'??

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