It’s hard to have a better MLB debut than what Willie Maciver put together with the Athletics on Sunday afternoon.
The former Washington Huskies standout, who played three years on Montlake before he was selected in the ninth round of the 2018 MLB draft, was called up by the A’s on Sunday for their series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies and didn’t disappoint, playing an integral role in a 5-4 win.
After spending close to seven years in the minor leagues, the catcher recorded his first hit in the eighth inning, an RBI single off reliever Matt Strahm to give his team a 5-4 lead. Then, Maciver sealed the victory by cutting down pinch runner Johan Rojas as he attempted to steal second base.
That effort earned a Gatorade shower from his teammates following the game.
“I woke up hoping for a Gatorade bath after the game,” Maciver said in an interview with NBC Sports California after the game. “I’ve never felt such a good feeling with such cold water.”
“It’s everything and more,” he added of his debut. “I had family here, friends, teammates, ex-teammates, it’s a dream come true, I can’t even put it into words.”
Over three years with the Huskies, the 2017 All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention posted a .270 batting average with a .712 OPS, 106 hits, 5 home runs, 57 runs batted in, and 4 stolen bases.
After he was called up in place of Jhonny Pereda, who was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas in his place, Maciver will have an opportunity to establish himself as the team’s backup catcher behind Shea Langeliers.