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ST. PETERSBURG -- On April 14, 2021, Adolis García thought he had his first career home run.
García had launched a ball over the right-center-field fence at Tropicana Field, just in front of the first row of seats. He began his home run trot before realizing that the Rays left fielder had chased after the ball to make a play on it after it bounced back into the field.
García then turned on his jets with an inside-the-park homer in reach. He was initially called safe at home, but it was overturned on a challenge. His first career homer came one day later against the Rays, a go-ahead shot in the 10th inning to secure the win.
Three years later, García’s 100th career homer wasn’t nearly as controversial as that almost first, but it came right back where it started: Tropicana Field.
“I knew I connected the ball really well, so I absolutely knew it was going out,” García said on Monday through interpreter Raul Cardenas. “I’m really content. I’m very happy with the first three years of my career and the opportunities I’ve had. This was probably one of the most special moments for me.
“This was one of those things I knew that my first one was here in Tropicana, and then it was just a special moment for me knowing that I could do it again here.”
Here are some fun facts about García’s 100 homers:
He reached 100 homers in the fifth-fewest games of any player in franchise history (Senators and Rangers):
- Alex Rodriguez: 295 games
- Joey Gallo: 377 games
- Juan Gonzalez: 423 games
- Mark Teixeira: 430 games
- Adolis García: 460 games
He has hit a home run off of 88 pitchers:
- First: Off Rays right-hander Cody Reed
- 100th: Off Rays right-hander Chris Devenski
- Two off of: Spencer Strider, Griffin Canning, Logan Gilbert, Chris Flexen, Jesús Luzardo, Marco Gonzales, Brandon Waddell, James Kaprielian, Abreu, Anthony Misiewicz and Devenski
Home run breakdown:
- Solo: 56
- Two-run: 30
- Three-run: 10
- Grand slam: Four
Stadium breakdown:
- 61 at Globe Life Field
- 7 at Angel Stadium
- 5 at Guaranteed Rate Field
- 4 at Oakland Coliseum, Target Field, T-Mobile Park and Minute Maid Park
- 2 at Tropicana Field and Fenway Park
- 1 at loanDepot park, Kauffman Stadium, Yankee Stadium, Rogers Centre, Chase Field, Comerica Park, Nationals Park
Opponent breakdown:
- 12 vs. the A’s and Astros
- 11 vs. the Mariners
- 10 vs. the Angels
- 8 vs. the Twins
- 6 vs. the Tigers and White Sox
- 5 vs. the Red Sox
- 4 vs. the Yankees, Braves and Marlins
- 3 vs. the Rays, Nationals and Blue Jays
- 2 vs. Cubs and Royals
- 1 vs. the Diamondbacks, Rockies, Cardinals, Orioles and Guardians