(Updated April 4, 2019)
In a storybook start to his major-league career, Jason Heyward hit a home run with his first swing minutes after being anointed by one of the game’s all-time sluggers.
On April 5, 2010, the Braves opened their season against the Cubs at Atlanta. Heyward, a Georgia prep standout selected by the Braves in the first round of the amateur draft three years earlier, was tabbed by manager Bobby Cox to debut in right field and bat seventh.
Braves icon Hank Aaron was there to throw the ceremonial first pitch and Heyward, 20, was given the honor of catching the toss.
After delivering the pitch, Aaron offered advice to the rookie.
He said, ‘Have fun. You’re ready to do this,’ ” Heyward told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Electric feeling
In the opening inning, Heyward stood in the left-hand side of the batter’s box, taking his first big-league at-bat. The score was tied at 3-3 and the Braves had two runners on base. Carlos Zambrano, an imposing right-hander, was pitching.
Zambrano’s first two deliveries to Heyward missed the strike zone and Heyward didn’t bite at either.
On the 2-and-0 pitch, Zambrano threw a sinking fastball toward the inner part of the plate. Heyward swung and sent a drive 446 feet into the right-field stands for a three-run home run.
The cheers from the Turner Field crowd were so loud, “I couldn’t hear myself think,” Heyward said.
Said Braves third baseman Chipper Jones: “I haven’t felt electricity like that in a long time.”
Watching from the dugout, Terry Pendleton, the Braves hitting coach who had played third base for two pennant-winning Cardinals clubs, said, “As soon as he hit it, we started high-fiving and saying, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’ You can’t script something like that.” Video
Gifted athlete
Heyward produced a RBI-single in the eighth off Justin Berg and finished the game 2-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored in the Braves’ 16-5 victory. Boxscore
“He’s by far the best 20-year-old I’ve ever seen,” said Braves catcher Brian McCann.
Said Cox: “He’s a very talented kid and, when he’s not hitting, he’s going to help us in the outfield. He’s a very gifted athlete and a terrific defensive player.”
Heyward followed the Opening Day home run with an impressive first season. He had 29 doubles, 18 home runs and 72 RBI for the 2010 Braves. His on-base percentage was .393.
Four years later, on Nov. 17, 2014, the Braves traded Heyward and reliever Jordan Walden to the Cardinals for pitchers Shelby Miller and Tyrell Jenkins. The Cardinals needed a right fielder to replace Oscar Taveras, who died in an auto accident. The Braves needed pitching.
Heyward batted .293 with 33 doubles and 23 stolen bases for the 2015 Cardinals and earned a Gold Glove Award for his fielding. After the season, he became a free agent and signed with the Cubs.
Previously: Home run vs. Cardinals put Hank Aaron on road to record
Previously: Hank Aaron and the home run that wasn’t vs. Cardinals
RetroSimba 
[…] ever seen,” and after Heyward’s homer, Chipper Jones, an expert on the topic, said “I haven’t felt electricity like that in a long time.” Heyward was as thrilling a prospect as the game had seen in a decade. He was going to change the […]
[…] ever seen,” and after Heyward’s homer, Chipper Jones, an expert on the topic, said “I haven’t felt electricity like that in a long time.” Heyward was as thrilling a prospect as the game had seen in a decade. He was going to change […]
[…] ever seen,” and after Heyward’s homer, Chipper Jones, an expert on the topic, said “I haven’t felt electricity like that in a long time.” Heyward was as thrilling a prospect as the game had seen in a decade. He was going to change […]