Danny Jansen made MLB history in a unique and unexpected way on Monday. During the first game of a doubleheader between the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Jansen became the first player in MLB history to play for both teams in the same game. This unusual occurrence happened because the game was a continuation of a suspended contest from June 26, when Jansen was still with the Blue Jays.
Back in June, Jansen started the game as the Blue Jays’ catcher but hadn’t yet had an at-bat when rain halted play. Since then, Jansen was traded to the Red Sox. When the game resumed on Monday, he found himself behind the plate in a Boston uniform, taking his first at-bat as a Red Sox player. In his plate appearance, Jansen lined out to first base while Brian Serven, who had replaced him in June, caught for Toronto.
Reflecting on the situation, Jansen told Jayson Stark of The Athletic, “It’s a cool thing to be part of something that lives on and is just a rarity. I try to be in the moment as much as possible. But one day, if this happens … it’s going to be a cool thing to look back on.”
Red Sox manager Alex Cora, aware of the historical significance, added some humor to the situation, ensuring Jansen would indeed play. “Yeah, he’s catching,” Cora told reporters before the game. “Let’s make history.”