It took 566 games, 1,963 at-bats, 308 runs, 561 hits, 63 homers and 280 RBIs over six minor league seasons for St. Rita graduate Mark Payton to finally hear the words he waited his entire life to hear.
“You’re a big leaguer.”
That’s what Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell told Payton on Saturday after Payton was called up to the major league roster before a road game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
“It was a relief,” Payton said. “It was emotional.”
It was even more emotional when Payton broke the news to his parents.
“I got away from everyone and went into the stands,” Payton said. “I did FaceTime with them and told them I’m a big leaguer. I was so happy to share that with them. Every ounce of sweat and tears they put in to this. It was very special.”
A few hours later, the 28-year-old Payton made his MLB debut by pinch-hitting in the bottom of the ninth inning.
It wasn’t quite the way he had played it out in his head, oh, thousands of times.
No family, friends or fans inside Busch Stadium to share the incredible moment.
But walking up to the batter’s box as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the ninth inning, a No. 34 on the back of his Reds jersey, was still special.
It has been a heck of a journey for Payton, filled with ups and downs, bumpy bus rides and many nights sleeping in one-star hotels.
Yes, even moments where he wondered if this story was going to have a happy ending.
Payton, an outfielder who hits left-handed, was a 2014 seventh-round draft pick of the New York Yankees out of the University of Texas. He persevered.
“It was a cool feeling going to the on-deck circle,” Payton said. “When I got into the (batter’s) box, I had a sense of calmness hit me. Having no fans probably helped calm me down. I tried to soak in the moment.”
Payton grounded out sharply to second baseman Kolten Wong to end the game, sealing a 3-0 win by the Cardinals.
When the ball left Payton’s bat, it had the look of a single between the first and second baseman and into right field.
Want to know how much analytics have taken over the game?
Here’s the 5-foot-8 Payton, making his MLB debut. What do the Cardinals do?
They employ a shift, with three infielders on the right side of the infield expecting Payton to pull the ball, which he did.
Without the shift, he likely has a single in his first at-bat in the big leagues.
What did Payton think of the defensive strategy?
“I’ve gotten shifted a little bit in the minor leagues, but I was a little surprised the Cardinals did it,” he said. “I’ve hit a ball like that plenty of times and it’s been a hit.
“I’m happy with the swing. I barreled it up. There are times when you hit the ball and you just believe it’s going to be a hit. That was one of those times.”
Payton started Sunday in left field and went 0-for-2.
Now comes the hard part — proving he belongs in the majors moving forward.
He faced adversity during his dominant career at St. Rita and Texas and then throughout the minor leagues.
That’s baseball. More failure than success.
However, Payton always made the necessary adjustments to be one of the best players on the field all the while remaining a gracious, humble person who worked hard.
He has no doubt that success will arrive at the MLB level.
History suggests as much.
“I’m not going to be satisfied with being a big leaguer,” Payton said. “I want to be a big leaguer who helps his team win. I know I belong here.”
