In an unprecedented event at Fenway Park, catcher Danny Jansen played for both the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox during the same resumed game, marking a first in Major League Baseball history.
According to MLB, Danny Jansen, who was traded mid-season, played for two different teams in a single game, a feat never before seen in MLB.
The game, which began on June 26, 2024, faced suspension due to unforeseen circumstances. At the time of suspension, Jansen was up to bat for the Toronto Blue Jays with a count of 0-1 in the top of the second inning, which set the stage for his historic appearance for two teams in one match.
When the game resumed at Fenway Park, Daulton Varsho took Jansen's place as a pinch hitter for the Blue Jays. However, Jansen’s day was far from over, thanks to a trade that would soon take place.
On July 27, 2024, the Blue Jays traded Danny Jansen to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for three prospects, a month after the initial game. This trade added an unexpected twist to the resumed game's roster configurations.
The decision of Red Sox manager Alex Cora to place Jansen as the catcher for the Red Sox when the game continued meant Jansen was not only changing dugouts but also making history. Indeed, Jansen accomplished the unusual distinction of having played for both competing teams in a single game, a first in MLB’s storied chronicles.
By the game's conclusion, Jansen recorded a batting score of 1-for-4 for the Red Sox, without an official at-bat for the Blue Jays in the resumed game. This batting performance was overshadowed only by the rarity of the situation itself.
The moment was not lost on Jansen or the fans who witnessed the game. “I guess it hasn’t fully hit me yet,” Jansen commented, expressing his surprise and gratitude for being the first to set such a record. “Leaving a stamp like that on the game, it’s strange and it’s interesting,” he added, acknowledging the unique nature of the achievement.
Manager Alex Cora reflected on the uniqueness of the situation, noting the rarity and specific conditions required for such an event to transpire: "It was a very cool moment," Cora said. “Just to be part of it. I don’t know if it’s going to happen again. It has to be a perfect storm for that to happen, starting with a storm.”
Despite the historical significance, the day ended on a lower note for the Red Sox, who lost the follow-up game of the doubleheader 7-3. This loss placed them five games behind the Twins in the AL Wild Card standings, adding a competitive edge to the historical narrative.
The Blue Jays drafted Danny Jansen in the 16th round in 2013, and he made his MLB debut with them in 2018. His journey from a hopeful draftee to a player at the center of a historical MLB moment reflects the unpredictability and charm of baseball.
Jansen plans to cherish this unique milestone by preserving some mementos. He expressed his intention to send a jersey to the Baseball Hall of Fame and to keep the two jerseys worn during the game as a personal keepsake.
As the dust settles on this unusual chapter in MLB history, Danny Jansen and the sports world alike marvel at the quirky twist of fate that led to this remarkable game. A box score for the ages indeed, as Jansen himself anticipates looking back on with pride and a bit of awe. "I’ll peek at it because it’s the first," Jansen remarked, considering the potential to frame this piece of baseball history.
