The San Francisco Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-2 in Game 2 of Saturday’s doubleheader at Oracle Park, and 23-year-old right-hander Yunior Marte was a big reason why. In his MLB debut, Marte worked 4 2/3 innings, allowing three hits, one earned run and two walks while striking out three, giving San Francisco exactly the start it needed.
Cameras caught his family and friends in the stands holding a Dominican flag, celebrating right alongside him. But the moment carried more weight than a typical debut.
Hours later, in the Giants clubhouse, Marte explained why to NBC Sports Bay Area.
Marte Dedicates His Debut to His Late Brother
Marte walked into the clubhouse with a scorecard and a couple of game balls from the outing, and he made clear who they were for.
“I’m going to dedicate the baseballs and scorecard to my family, but especially my brother who passed away last year,” Marte said through interpreter Erwin Higueros. “One of his biggest dreams was that he wanted to see me debut in the big leagues.”
Marte shared that his brother was just 25 years old when he passed away from sickle cell disease. Getting to the majors was something his brother had dreamed about for him, making Saturday’s outing about far more than the box score.
Vitello Praises Marte’s Poise and Personality
Vitello also shared a lighter side of the outing, revealing that Marte stayed loose in the dugout before taking the mound, at one point even dancing before his warmup. Vitello said Marte approached their pregame conversation more like talking to a college roommate than a nervous rookie, and that same relaxed energy carried onto the field.
Yunior Marte talks about his MLB debut, going 4.2 IP while helping the Giants win 7-2
A Moment Made Even Bigger by Giants History
Part of what made the night special was who Marte got to share it with. Juan Marichal, the Dominican Republic’s first Hall of Famer and a 10-time All-Star, was on hand and spoke with Marte before his debut, encouraging him simply to enjoy the moment.
Between the tribute to Kent, the presence of a legend like Marichal, and his own family in the stands, Marte had every reason to be overwhelmed. Instead, he embraced it, describing the whole experience with a Dominican expression meaning something close to “really cool.”
Yunior Marte on meeting HOFer Juan Marichal
Final Word for the Giants
Marte’s debut delivered on every level. He pitched well enough to help San Francisco win, he shared the day with people who mattered most to him, and he honored a brother who never got to see this moment happen in person.
If Saturday was any indication, this won’t be the last time Marte takes the mound at Oracle Park. For San Francisco, that’s a promising sign for the future.
Giants Rookie Reveals Emotional Meaning Behind MLB Debut