Memorable holiday Splashy debut serves as reward for dedication
The Astros poured everything they could find over Jack Mayfield when the team descended back to the clubhouse after their 6-5 win over the Cubs on Monday afternoon.
Beer, mouthwash, liquid soap, ketchup and whatever else players could find were used to celebrate the infielder’s Major League debut.
“It was awesome,” Mayfield said following the game. “Really crazy but awesome.”
The clubhouse hullabaloo came after Mayfield had a hit, an RBI and a solid defensive performance at second base.
He grinned from ear to ear, while high-fiving teammates and trying to return dozens of text messages waiting on his phone when he reached his locker after the game.
It was a whirlwind of a day. But one of the best of his life. It started with a 4 a.m. Uber in Nashville to the airport to catch a 6 a.m. flight.
Mayfield found out the night before that his time had finally come.
When he arrived at the ballpark for a game in Nashville, he’d been scratched from the Round Rock Express lineup.
He got changed and headed back to his hotel for some rest before making the trip to Houston on Monday morning.
After landing around 8:30 a.m. and making his way to Minute Maid Park, Mayfield scarfed down a quick breakfast and got a workout in.
He dressed in a white Astros jersey with “Mayfield” and the number 9 on the back and headed to the dugout, where he’d soon hear his name called among the Astros’ starters.
Meanwhile, a group of about 20 of Mayfield’s family and friends made their way into the ballpark after making the 5½hour drive from his hometown of Del Rio on Monday morning.
His wife Jackie’s palms were sweaty as she took her seat in section 122. She nervously fed 17-month-old son Jackson yogurt snacks as the game started and her husband took the field.
Monday afternoon was six years in the making for the Mayfield clan.
After going undrafted in 2013 and spending his time in the minors ever since, Mayfield, 28, finally got his chance.
“I’ve never given up,” he said. “That’s always been my mentality. Keep grinding, keep working hard and good things will happen. I’ve had ups and downs and injuries. It all paid off in the end for this moment.”
Because the Astros are dealing with a myriad of injured players — including Jose Altuve and Aledmys Diaz — they needed help in the infield.
Mayfield was close to making his debut in Boston on May 17 when Diaz initially was hurt. He flew to meet the team before they informed him that he wouldn’t be playing because Diaz’s injury wasn’t as severe as they’d initially thought.
So he flew back to Austin to rejoin the Express and keep waiting.
Mayfield is used to waiting, though. Waiting and persevering and hustling.
The former Oklahoma standout has been grinding through the minors for years.
A couple of years ago, Mayfield had a big scare when he took a fastball to the face during a game in El Paso. He shattered his left orbital socket and required surgery.
Jackie was about 20 weeks pregnant with their son at the time and jumped in the car and drove to West Texas.
She said the injury was frightening. She wondered if her husband would be able to come back from it.
“I had to go under the knife and they put plates and screws in there and restructured it,” Mayfield said.
“All I thought about was my vision. I just hoped my left eye would go back to normal, and it did. It didn’t alter my vision at all. I didn’t have a concussion, I didn’t black out or anything like that, so they said right off the bat that was a really good sign, but that was my first sign.”
It took a few months of healing, then Mayfield was headed back to spring training with the Astros.
He’s been a star for the team in the spring, picking up the nickname “Super Jack.”
“We call him that for a reason,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He brings versatility. He brings minor league pedigree. He’s hit some homers. He’s been an unbelievable spring training player for us. He can do everything.”
Mayfield lived up to the hype Monday.
In his first at-bat in the big leagues, he connected on a fastball from Cole Hamels for a stand-up double to left field.
“It went by so fast,” he said. “It was my third pitch. I was fortunate to get enough barrel to hit it off the wall. It was a sigh of relief to get that first knock and relax and enjoy the game. It helped me slow the game down.”
He had an RBI in his next plate appearance.
He settled in and second base and helped lead the Astros to the win.
“Getting the win was the best part,” he said.
In the stands, Jackie continued to hold back tears throughout the game.
When Mayfield had his first hit, she said she felt like she’d had a heart attack.
“It’s a big moment because it’s a long time coming for him and for him, he thought this day might never come,” she said. “He didn’t know if he would ever make it this far, being an undrafted free agent. So for him, it’s been so much perseverance, a lot of time he’s put in. It all came together in that moment and it was really perfect.”
The couple has been together for 14 years and married for three. Jackie has followed Jack all around for his baseball career. She was thrilled that he made his debut in Houston where the whole family could make the trip.
“It’s a great day for all of us,” she said. “Jack’s the most humble person, the sweetest guy you’ll ever meet. This is a really big deal for our city and or family and I couldn’t think of a more deserving person than Jack.
“His whole life has been about baseball, but he’s always put his family first even with all the craziness. He’s an amazing person, an amazing athlete, amazing dad.This is a perfect day.”