Just imagine how different the MLB history books would look if Pirates manager Don Kelly had acted on his instincts. Once the Pittsburgh Pirates built a comfortable lead over the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park, Kelly considered giving the 32-year-old a breather. But he ultimately decided against it, unwilling to rob his star of a chance to make history. Then came the sixth inning, and it all made sense.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
“Today’s a day I’ll remember forever,” Ryan O’Hearn said.
Indeed, O’Hearn, and so will the baseball fans, especially after the curtain call.
On Tuesday, the left-handed slugger took to the plate and delivered what was an exceptional performance with three swings, three home runs, and ten RBIs. The same was posted on X by Jacob Calvin Meyer.
Now, who would’ve thought that such an exceptional performance was to unfold just seven months after he was signed by the Pirates in January during the offseason? Even his backstory makes it all the more interesting. Though he has played baseball all his life, he didn’t reach the majors until the age of 25, and to top that, he got the All-Star honor just last season when he turned 31.
Ryan O’Hearn has three home runs and 10 RBIs tonight. Incredible
Now let’s come back to the Pirates’ 12-4 win over Atlanta. What the 32-year-old did was something the Pirates haven’t seen since their inception in 1882. Until now, the single-game record was held at nine RBIs, set by Johnny Rizzo against St. Louis on May 30, 1939. Across the 145 seasons they have played, this is the first time a player has driven in 10 runs in the game. So, what made it possible?
A grand slam in the opening inning, followed by a three-run homer in the third off Braves starter Hurston Waldrep and another three-run blast against reliever Connor Thomas in the sixth, completely changed the game. During this deep run, he also bagged the 100th home run of his nine-year career. Then his 10 RBIs were equally historic as well.
It stands as the most in the majors by a player this season, and it’s not just limited to that. He also became the 11th big leaguer since RBIs became an official statistic in 1920 to have at least three home runs and 10 RBIs in a game. And it also happens to be the first since September 2024 when Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani did it against Miami. Even the slugger couldn’t believe the numbers he put up.
“After I got in the dugout, I was like, ‘No kidding, 10 RBIs, that’s insane,’” O’Hearn said. “That’s good for a month.”