If you were anywhere near Great American Ball Park on Monday, you probably felt that jolt in the air — and no, it wasn’t the late-summer heat. That was Sal Stewart making his MLB debut like a firecracker at high noon.
From MLB Call-Up to Cleanup: Stewart Wastes No Time Making His Mark
The Reds, in a tight one against the Toronto Blue Jays, trailing in the ninth, and boom — Noelvi Marte walks it off with a laser single. But before that dramatic finish, it was all about the kid. Stewart, just called up that very day, goes straight into the lineup. First base. Sixth in the order. And within minutes, he’s making noise — not just with the bat, but with raw, unfiltered energy.
Second inning, 3-1 count. Stewart gets a pitch he likes and rifles it right over short. First hit in The Show? Check. But wait — not done. One batter later, Ke’Bryan Hayes rips a double, and Stewart? The man scores from first base. First base! That’s not a jog; that’s a full-on mission. And when he crossed the plate? He let it rip.
Fire and Fists: Stewart’s Debut Fueled by Grit and Emotion
“Honestly, I don’t think I can say what I was yelling right now,” Reds debutant Stewart said with a grin. Fired up, chest thumping, dirt flying — this wasn’t just a debut. This was a message: “I’m here, I’m loud, and I want to win.”
This is who Sal Stewart is. A high-energy guy, always has been. He plays with the kind of passion that gets under your cleats, that lights up a dugout. Even manager Terry Francona couldn’t escape it.
Dirt on the Jersey, Energy in the Dugout
“It’s kind of hard not to,” Francona said. “I still have dirt on me from when he slid at home.”
Come on now! That’s a statement. That’s a player crashing into the big leagues not with caution, but with full-speed swagger.
This wasn’t just a debut — it was an ignition. A young player bursting into the spotlight and dragging the whole team up with him. The Reds needed a jolt, and Stewart delivered one with cleats, hustle, and a lot of heart. Let’s see where it goes from here — but one thing’s for sure: Sal Stewart isn’t easing into the majors. He’s storming in.
