Royce Lewis is introducing himself to the baseball world with a bang.
The Minnesota Twins rookie Lewis exploded onto the scene in Tuesday’s playoff opener against the Toronto Blue Jays. Lewis opened up the scoring in the first inning, getting to Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman for a towering two-run shot to left field.
Welcome to the Land of 10,000 Rakes. 🎣🎣 #WeBelieveinTC pic.twitter.com/S6yZF97skG
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) October 3, 2023
The 24-year-old celebrated his first-ever playoff home run (in his first-ever playoff at-bat, no less) in style. He uncorked a smooth one-handed bat flip and turned to celebrate with the Minnesota dugout as he went up the first-base line.
Royce Lewis's HR and bat flip from the dugout pic.twitter.com/u9B7RktNQQ
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) October 3, 2023
That wasn’t all for Lewis though. During Lewis’ very next at-bat in the third inning, he told the Blue Jays, “You seem to be alright. Here’s another.” Once again, Lewis took Gausman deep, this time to right to make it 3-0 Twins.
Royce is thriving. 😍#WeBelieveinTC pic.twitter.com/46mVsLguHW
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) October 3, 2023
Lewis joined some illustrious company with his home runs in his first two career playoff plate appearances. He became only the third player in NL/AL history to do so along with Evan Longoria (2008) and Gary Gaetti (1987).
Per the Elias Sports Bureau and #MNTwins PR, Royce Lewis is the third player in AL/NL history to hit homers in his first two postseason plate appearances.
The only other two:
2008 Evan Longoria
1987 Gary Gaetti— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) October 3, 2023
The third baseman Lewis, who was DH’ing in Game 1, quietly had a strong 2023 season, hitting .309 with 15 home runs and 52 RBIs. But he hurt his hamstring in mid-September and had not played for Minnesota since … until Tuesday. Needless to say, Lewis’ hamstring looks just fine, and the Twins (who held on to win the game 3-1 for their first playoff victory since 2004) look just fine too.
