[MVB]

Originally Posted by MLB.com

Before the game on Saturday, Kevin Kouzmanoff was a discombobulated mess.


His plane to Dallas was delayed, he nearly missed his first pregame stretch with the big-league club and he had to ask a random reporter how to get to the dugout from the visitor's clubhouse at Ameriquest Field.

But when Kouzmanoff stepped to the plate with the bases loaded in the first inning of the Indians' eventual 6-5 victory over the Rangers, he certainly looked to be in his comfort zone.

Kouzmanoff swatted at Edinson Volquez's first-pitch fastball, sent it hurtling 417 feet over the center-field wall and found his place in baseball history. He became the third man to hit a grand slam in his first Major League at-bat, and, it's believed, the first to do so on the first pitch.
"It's pretty cool," Kouzmanoff said. "It's pretty hard to top that."

What a way to start a major league career.... holy cow!

[MJHMarc]

Kevin Kouzmanoff must have felt really embarrased asking the reporter how to get to the dugout, but now he seems to be comfortable. It is a great accomplishment to start your career of that way.

Best of luck to Kouzmanoff's career!

[EmpireWF]

You have to imagine hitting a home run in your first major league at bat is an amazing feeling. Hitting a GRAND SLAM? lol, wow, now that's something.

[chsbletz]

The ironic aspect of Kouzmanoff as a member of the Indians is that, because of his defensive deficiencies, the organization doesn't regard him as a potential every day player. Apparently, Andy Marte will get the first crack at third base.

[MJHMarc]

Andy Marte has been scouted numerous times and supposably has the potential of being the best 3B of all-time, beating Schmidt! He played most of his minor league career with the Braves before being swapped during the off-season to the Indians.

[EmpireWF]

Very muchso Marc. Marte has been talked about as being the best 3B in the minors and many like the way he projects to the majors. I was a bit shocked when Atlanta dealt him though. But their loss is Cleveland's gain.

[chsbletz]

Marte was pretty pathetic on offense for Cleveland, hitting about .225 once he was called up to the Show. He is a very skillful third baseman on defense though. He probably will hit well next year, though. He just has to start feeling comfortable at the Major League level.