{"id":558614,"date":"2026-04-01T17:27:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T17:27:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/558614\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T17:27:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T17:27:11","slug":"drake-baldwin-homers-on-his-bobblehead-night-as-braves-fall-5-2-to-athletics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/558614\/","title":{"rendered":"Drake Baldwin homers on his Bobblehead Night as Braves fall 5-2 to Athletics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Drake Baldwin gave Braves<\/a> fans exactly what they came to see in the first inning.<\/p>\n

On a night celebrating his success, the young catcher delivered a highlight moment, launching a home run in his first at-bat during Wednesday’s 5-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics at Truist Park.<\/p>\n

For Baldwin, it wasn’t about trying to live up to the moment. It just happened.<\/p>\n

“I don’t really go up there expecting to hit a home run,” Baldwin said after the game. “I’m just trying to have a good approach and put the best swing on the ball. I got a pitch to hit and got it out.”<\/p>\n

The home run, which was Baldwin’s third in the first five games of the 2026 season, came on a night packed with milestones.<\/p>\n

Before the game, Baldwin was honored for his 2025 National League Rookie of the Year<\/a> season. It was also his first bobblehead night.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It was really cool,” Baldwin said. “I had family and friends here. It’s something you just try to take in.”<\/p>\n

And yes, he approved the bobblehead.<\/p>\n

“I think they did a good job,” he said with a smile.<\/p>\n

The energy in the stadium matched the moment.<\/p>\n

Fans, including two kids CBS News Atlanta spoke to in the stands, erupted when Baldwin went deep.<\/p>\n

“Drake Baldwin just hit a home run. Let’s go!” one young fan shouted.<\/p>\n

Others proudly wore his No. 30 jersey, something Baldwin says still feels surreal.<\/p>\n

“You kind of dream of that,” he said. “Seeing people wear your jersey or cheer you on, it says a lot about this fan base.”<\/p>\n

“He’s such a great young star. His approach at the plate is incredible for a guy his age,” A longtime Braves fan added.<\/p>\n

Baldwin finished the night 1-for-4 with a home run, an RBI, and a walk, continuing his strong start to the season.<\/p>\n

\"Athletics<\/p>\n

ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 31: Drake Baldwin #30 of the Atlanta Braves hits a home run in the first inning during the game against the Athletics at Truist Park on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Matthew Grimes Jr. \/ Atlanta Braves \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

His approach has been simple.<\/p>\n

“Just looking for good pitches to hit and trying to get my swing off,” he said. “Three balls have found their way out.”<\/p>\n

Even as the Braves’ offense struggled at times Wednesday, Baldwin isn’t concerned.<\/p>\n

“It’s baseball,” he said. “You can’t overreact to the first few games. A couple balls fall a different way, and things look completely different.”<\/p>\n

Despite the loss, Baldwin seemed confident in the lineup and clubhouse.<\/p>\n

“There’s a lot of trust in the guys in this room,” he said. “Everyone’s going out there competing.”<\/p>\n

For fans, though, Wednesday was about the rising star and him delivering a moment that felt almost scripted; a home run on his bobblehead night.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And for Baldwin, it’s just the beginning.<\/p>\n

“You want to go out there and put on your best performance,” he said, “especially for the people who came to see you.”<\/p>\n

\n More from CBS News\n <\/p>\n

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