History Only Happens Once

by theoriginaljd, Six Pack Sports Report

Note: This article was originally posted at Six Pack Sports Report. However, on such a momentous occassion I felt it was important to spread the love.

Well it is official - in the 5th inning of tonight's San Francisco Giants/Washington Nationals game Mike Bacsik became the man who served up #756. I would just like to take a moment to recognize Bacsik for this achievement which will follow him from now until the end of his life. Tonight truly was a momentous occassion for Bacsik in front of Willie Mays, and official representatives of Major League Baseball (Bud Selig not included) the fateful pitch sailed through the evening sky like a knife across the wrist of Kate Moss. But who is this man who will forever be etched in baseball lore? Who is Mike Bacsik?

Michael Joseph Bacsik was born November 11, 1977 in Dallas, Texas the son of Mike Bacsik. He attended Duncanville High School and was drafted in the 18th round of the 1996 amateur draft by the Cleveland Indians and signed on June 12, 1996. He is a left handed pitcher who clocks in at 6 feet 1 inches tall and weighs 190 pounds.

Bacsik made his professional debut in August of 2001 for the Indians, appearing in 3 games and pitching 3 innings giving up 13 hits and 9 earned runs. He bounced back in 2002 when he appeared in 11 games for the New York Mets going 3 and 2 with an ERA of 4.37 in 55.7 innings of work. Bacsik continued his historic trek towards giving up #756 when he appeared in 5 games for the Mets in 2003 going 1-2 and giving up 5 home runs with an ERA of 10.19.

Obviously Bacsik made an impression on the someone because in 2004 he found himself on the major league roster of the Texas Rangers for 3 games going 1-1 with a 4.60 ERA in 15.7 innings. But it was this year where Bacsik really found the grove that led him to allowing the most historic home run of all time. Bacsik has appeared in 14 games for the Nationals this year prior to tonight giving up 14 home runs that were not as historic as the one he gave up tonight. With his ERA solidly below 5.00 (4.19 heading into tonight) Bacsik has had his best season to date with the Nationals this year.

Clearly this is a man who has worked hard to get to where he is tonight. The fact that a man with a career ERA of 5.15 continues to find work with a major league baseball team is an amazing feat in it's own right and proof positive that just being a lefty is enough to have a career in major league baseball.

So here's to you Mike Bacsik and your place in history that has now been etched in stone. So many pitchers come through our lives and leave without ever leaving a mark - you however would not stand for that and have risen above to claim your rightful place in history. For all the John Dobson's, and Brandon Duckworth's of the world there will only be one Mike Bacsik. Enjoy your fame Mr. Bacsik because it's obvious that you've earned it.