On this date: May 27, 2008
Reds 9 Pirates 6 (GABP)
I'll never forget this night.
After all the hype, build-up and anticipation, the 21-year old made his ML debut.
Bruce was batting .364 with 10 homers at Triple-A Louisville at the time of his promotion.
Starting in center field, Jay Bruce reached base safely in all five of his plate appearances.
He went 3-for-3 with two walks, two RBI, two runs scored, and one stolen base.
Each time he came to the plate, fans at GABP yelled "BRUUUUUCE!"
He went .552 (16-for-29) average, three homers and seven RBIs in his first eight games.
Bruce became the first ML player since 1977 to reach base in his first six plate appearances.He went 4-for-5 in his fourth game. His solo shot beat Atlanta in the 10th inning. He homered in three straight games and had at least two hits in five of his first eight games.
He collected three hits off Hall of Fame to be Tom Glavine and became the first player in 17 years to rack up at least 15 hits in his first 25 ML at-bats.
Bruce would hit .254 with 21 homers and 52 RBI in 108 games. He finished 5th in NL Rookie of the Year voting.