There is no better way for a baseball player to ingratiate himself with a new team than a big Opening Day, and that is exactly what Javier Báez did as the Tigers beat the White Sox, 5–4.
In a tie game, with a man on in the bottom of the ninth, the new Tigers shortstop hit a fly ball deep to right field that A.J. Pollock appeared to bobble, but catch. However, after a replay review, the play was ruled to hit the wall, allowing the winning run to score.
Báez, one of many new faces on Detroit’s team, batted third and went 2-for-5 on the day.