NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 30: Austin Wells #28 of the New York Yankees watches his two-run homerun in the bottom of the eighth inning during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Yankee Stadium on August 30, 2024 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Cardinals 6-3. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)
New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells wasted no time making history on Opening Day, becoming the first catcher in MLB history to hit a leadoff home run to start a season. Facing the Milwaukee Brewers, Wells launched a solo shot off Freddy Peralta, immediately putting the Yankees on the board.
What makes this even bigger is that Wells was already breaking new ground as the first Yankees catcher to ever bat leadoff on Opening Day. After a red-hot spring where he hit .348 with six home runs, manager Aaron Boone gave him the nod at the top of the order—and Wells delivered in a big way.
The Yankees believe in Wells’ bat, and if he continues to produce, he could become a key part of their lineup. Opening Day history could just the beginning.
