Polokwane born Gift Ngoepe becomes first South African MLB debutant
Gift made his Major League Baseball debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates in their match against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday
POLOKWANE – While the country celebrated Freedom Day yesterday, one South African made his dream come true as he walked to the diamond in the fourth inning of Pittsburgh’s 6-5 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
.@Pirates 2B Gift Ngoepe’s first @MLB hit comes in his first AB.
Save that ball! pic.twitter.com/eLW0Osfegy
— MLB (@MLB) April 27, 2017
“I told myself not to cry because I’m in the big leagues and I’m a big guy now,” Ngoepe told The Associated Press.
Gift’s promotion to the big league comes after nine years in the minor leagues and he is now a shortstop and second batsman for the Pirates.
Gift Ngoepe became Major League Baseball's 1st South African & African born player when he made his debut for Pittsburgh Pirates on Wed
— SuperSport Blitz (@SuperSportBlitz) April 27, 2017
Born in Polokwane in 1990, Gift and his family moved to Randburg in Johannesburg where his mother was a cook and cleaner for the Randburg Mets. In exchange, she was given a room in the team’s clubhouse.
Gift Ngoepe's late mother Maureen was a domestic worker at Randburg Mets Baseball Club. She lived in the quarters with her sons Gift/Victor. pic.twitter.com/ayN8UjE1ZU
— Tracksuit (@ThabisoMosia) April 27, 2017
According to an article by the Globe and Mail, at the age of 17, he was invited to a major-league training camp in Italy, where a Pittsburgh scout noticed him, and he was soon signed.
In each of the past five seasons, Gift was rated as the best defensive infielder in the Pirates system and last year, he led the International League as the shortstop with the highest fielding percentage.
Gift’s debut caused a stir on social media with South Africans from all walks of life congratulating him on his success.
Awesome buddy!!!! We wish u all the best in ur career. Very proud of u
— Sydney (@sydneymaswangan) April 28, 2017
The pride of a nation!
— Cassandra Bianca (@cassandrabianca) April 28, 2017
Yes child: Gift Ngoepe, the first African-born player to play in America's Major League Baseball pic.twitter.com/AJ1LCGYkuM
— Qhama Dayile (@RealYachi_sa) April 28, 2017
What a way to celebrate Freedom Day don’t you think?
