Former Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen made baseball history by being the first player to both play for and bat for both teams in the same game. This unique event occurred due to a rain-delayed game in which Jansen started for Toronto before being traded to the Red Sox. Jansen had fouled off a pitch for Toronto in June, then got traded to Boston before the game resumed.
Jansen expressed his surprise and gratitude for being part of such an unusual baseball moment. Red Sox manager Alex Cora also embraced the opportunity to make history by placing Jansen in the game. The match resumed 65 days and over 18 hours later, with Jansen officially listed as playing for both teams in the box score.
During the resumed game, Jansen took the field as the catcher for the Red Sox, completing the at-bat he started for Toronto by striking out the pinch hitter. Subsequently, Jansen went to bat for Boston, receiving cheers from the crowd before hitting a liner to first base.
Jansen’s family and friends were present to witness his historic feat, with his image displayed on the scoreboard in a Blue Jays cap. Both managers acknowledged the significance of Jansen’s accomplishment, with Blue Jays manager John Schneider commending Jansen for gaining recognition.
Jansen had a hit for Boston in the fifth inning, the team’s first of the game, and despite a flyout in the seventh, he struck out to end the game in the ninth. The 29-year-old player kept one jersey for himself and sent the other to the Baseball Hall of Fame to commemorate this unprecedented event in baseball history. The Hall of Fame requested the scorecard from the game to document Jansen’s unique involvement in playing for both teams in the same game.
