Cole Tucker's parents witnessed his first MLB homer after a whirlwind of last-minute travel and anticipation
Saturday was the biggest day yet for Cole Tucker, the Pirates' No. 5-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline. He made it into his first game with the big league club in the Pirates' game against the Giants at PNC Park, and he made it count.
Facing lefty Derek Holland, Tucker blasted a no-doubt, two-run shot to center field in the bottom of the fifth for his first career hit, shortly before it started raining and the game went into a weather delay. In the stands for Tucker's big moment were his parents, Erin and Jackie Tucker, who were only at the ballpark together as a result of some serious parental dedication.
As they explained to Ken Rosenthal in the clip below, Jackie didn't arrive at the ballpark until roughly 45 minutes prior to first pitch on Saturday, as they found out late Friday night about Tucker's planned activity in the game. After all that travel and scrambling, it definitely paid off.
“I’m usually pretty composed but I lost it… Both of us went crazy.”@Ken_Rosenthal caught up with Cole Tucker’s parents after Tucker hit his first career MLB home run. pic.twitter.com/h4425H4zzZ
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 20, 2019
In a dramatic twist of fate, the rain never let up and the game was made official a few hours later, so Tucker's homer wound up being the game-winning hit for the Pirates in their 3-1 win. That's the dream, right there.
Congrats to Cole and his family on a day they'll never forget.
Adrian Garro joined MLB.com in 2016. Throughout his travels, both Bartolo Colon and Vin Scully have placed their hands on his shoulders. Not at the same time, though. That'd be amazing.
