Fox News Channel offers its audiences in-depth news reporting, along with opinion and analysis encompassing the principles of free people, free markets and diversity of thought, as an alternative to the left-of-center offerings of the news marketplace.
Dominic Smith was playing with a heavy heart when he made his Atlanta Braves debut on Saturday night – his sixth team in four years. Smith’s mother, Yvette LaFleuer, died of cancer earlier this month. When Smith stepped up to the plate against the Kansas City Royals in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded, he said he could feel her presence with him.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM The slugger hit a walk-off grand slam to win the game for the Braves, 6-2. 'It’s just amazing,' he told reporters. 'Played against the Braves for a long time, and being on the other side a lot of these endings kind of hurt, so to be on the right side of it this time was so fun.' Smith said that his teammates had been very supporting of him during spring training when his mother was ill. She was diagnosed with cancer in September and nearly died at the start of camp. He left the team to be with her for over a week when she had a 'scare' and when he returned, he was fighting for a roster spot. MLB TOP PROSPECT SHARES HILARIOUS MOMENT WITH VETERAN WHO ROBBED HIS HOME RUN AFTER FOUR-HIT MLB DEBUT 'This team is just so awesome,' Smith said. 'I’m so blessed because of the love they showed me, the support every day. They’re asking about her, asking about her well-being, my well-being, and that’s all they really cared about. They didn’t care about baseball.' Smith’s walk-off grand slam made him the first player in MLB history to achieve the moment in his debut with a new team, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Smith has been trying to find a permanent home after spending his first six years with the New York Mets. He played for the Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants since leaving New York. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP Last year, Smith had five home runs and 33 RBI in 63 games with the Giants. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
MLB on FOX's Saturday Slate Preview: Yankees-Giants, Twins-Orioles, Royals-BravesAnswering big questions ahead of Saturday's MLB on FOX slate, including Yankees-Giants.
Read more »
Braves' Ozzie Albies Makes Braves Franchise History on Opening DayOzzie Albies had a strong start to his MLB season, but he also made history for the Atlanta Braves.
Read more »
Dominic Smith delivers historic Braves walk-off just 2 weeks after his mother's deathBraves designated hitter Dominic Smith’s mother died less than two weeks ago. He said the team has picked him up the last few weeks, and he returned the favor Saturday night. Smith became the first player in MLB history to hit a walk-off grand slam in his debut with a new team, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Read more »
Less than 2 weeks after his mother's death, Dominic Smith delivers a historic Braves walk-offBraves designated hitter Dominic Smith’s mother died less than two weeks ago
Read more »
Dominic Smith Delivers Emotional Grand Slam in Braves' Win Over RoyalsDominic Smith delivered a game-winning grand slam for the Braves, an emotional moment for the player who saw his mother pass away two weeks ago.
Read more »
Atlanta Braves' Dominic Smith Hits Home Run After Mom's Tragic DeathSmith’s electric walk-off grand slam capped off an exciting win for the Braves, but the moment means so much more than just another tally in the win column
Read more »