No better way to start a career

Dave Machemer’s homer into history

California Angels second baseman Dave Machemer becomes the first player in history to homer while leading off the game in his major league debut.

Machemer’s moment comes 46 years ago today against the Twins’ Geoff Zahn at Metropolitan Stadium, where he deposits Zahn's 3-2 fastball just inside the left-field foul pole to start the Angels’ 5-2 victory before a Wednesday night crowd of 10,801.

“When I hit it, I knew it was gone,” Machemer later says. “I was running to first and I’m watching the ball the whole way, because I want to see if it’s going to stay fair. As I’m looking for the ball and I’m looking for the umpire to make a signal, I run right by first base and never even touch it.

“I had to go back three steps and retouch the base.”

Machemer’s milestone homer in 1978 turns out to be the only one in his brief career in the majors, a career that lasts 55 plate appearances over two seasons.

Machemer, though, remains in the game to become one of the most successful and popular managers in the minors.