Reds Pitcher Lyon Richardson Makes Dubious History in MLB Debut

Reds pitcher Lyon Richardson’s five-year journey through the minor leagues culminated on Sunday with his long-awaited MLB debut—though the game didn’t have the start he likely envisioned.

Facing the Nationals as he toed the rubber for the first time, Richardson received a true “welcome to the big leagues” moment from Washington shortstop CJ Abrams, who homered on the very first pitch of the game. The next batter—right fielder Lane Thomas—didn’t let Richardson off the ropes even for a second, also swinging at the first pitch he saw and driving it over the fence in center field.

Two pitches. Two home runs. 2–0 Nationals.

With his major league career only a few moments old, Richardson had already etched his name in the record books. Based on pitch count data from Baseball-Reference—which dates to 1999—Richardson is the first player to allow two home runs on the first two pitches of his career, according to Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer.

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Although that’s certainly not the kind of start Richardson and the Reds were hoping for, the fact that the 23-year-old is in this position is a major win. After being taken in the second round of the 2018 draft, Richardson’s steady rise through the minors was disrupted by Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss all of the ’22 season. He returned to the mound this year and posted a 2.15 ERA in 15 starts at Double A to earn himself a promotion to the big leagues.

Though surely disappointed by Sunday’s struggles, Richardson might be able to take some solace in knowing that he’s already made baseball history after just one game.