Tampa Bay Rays Rookie Kameron Misner Blasts Historic Walk-Off Home Run on Opening Day

Kameron Misner lifted the Tampa Bay Rays to victory against the Colorado Rockies on Friday, recording his first big leaguer homer in a clutch pinch-hit moment.

Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Kameron Misner (26) is congratulated after he hits a walk-off home run to beat the Colorado Rockies during the ninth inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

When Kameron Misner subbed in as a defensive replacement in the top of the eighth inning, he wasn’t being set up to play the hero.

That didn’t stop him from rising to the occasion, though.

The Tampa Bay Rays and Colorado Rockies were locked in a 2-2 ballgame when Misner stepped up to the plate to lead off the bottom of the ninth. Misner turned on the first pitch he saw and roped it to right for the walk-off homer.

FIRST WALK-OFF FIRST WIN pic.twitter.com/e2stDKuJm3

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 28, 2025

On top of giving the Rays their first win in their temporary home park, George M. Steinbrenner Field, the home run was also the first of Misner’s young career.

According to OptaSTATS, Misner became the first player in MLB history to hit a walk-off home run on Opening Day for their first career homer.

Kameron Misner of @RaysBaseball is the first player in MLB history to hit a walkoff HR on Opening Day for his first career HR.

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) March 28, 2025

Misner, 27, hit .067 with a -0.3 WAR in his first eight games of MLB action in 2024.

The outfielder opened 2025 on a much more promising note, helping lift Tampa Bay to a season-opening win. Game two of the series is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET on Friday.

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