White Sox’s Zach Remillard Performs MLB Debut Feat Unseen Since 1901

It was a long time coming for Zach Remillard. The 29-year-old has played 694 minor league games before he finally made his big-league debut on Saturday and he didn’t disappoint with a historically clutch performance.

Remillard was called up to replace the injured Yoán Moncada on the White Sox roster Thursday but came off the bench against the Mariners on Saturday to relieve Tim Anderson, who left the game injured. In his first time at the plate for Chicago, he drew a walk in the fifth inning. Then, he bunted for a single in the seventh frame and singled to left in the ninth, the latter of which tied the game.

Finally, with the contest still tied at three in the 11th inning, Remillard’s single gave the White Sox a 4–3 lead that would eventually be the game-deciding run. 

Remillard, who did not reach Triple-A until his age-27 season in 2021, is the only MLB player in the modern era—since 1901—to have both a game-tying hit and a go-ahead hit in the the ninth inning or later in their MLB debut.  

“What a day. What a memorable day,” Remillard said after the game. “I got my family here. My wife’s here. It’s a dream come true. I’ve prepared for this day for a long time.”