It’s not everyday that a barrier in sports comes crashing down. Yet on April 26, 2017, the Pittsburgh Pirates demolished another one. For the first time in the history of Major League Baseball, a native of Africa found himself on the game day roster. Gift Ngoepe<\/a><\/strong>, a talented middle infielder from Randburg, South Africa, joined the team from Triple-A Indianapolis. In fifteen games with Indianapolis, Ngoepe has put up a slash line of .241\/.308\/.379\/.687 with 14 hits in 58 at-bats. Ngoepe’s debut came against the Chicago Cubs, and confirmed early in the day by Pirates beat reporter Adam Berry.<\/p>\n Can confirm Gift Ngoepe is expected to be called up by the Pirates today. He will be the first African-born player in @MLB<\/a> history.<\/p>\n \u2014 Adam Berry (@adamdberry) April 26, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n In the fourth inning, Ngoepe entered as part of an early double switch. He took over at second base, replacing Philip Gosselin<\/a><\/strong>, and hitting ninth.<\/p>\n His first major league at-bat came to lead off in the bottom of the frame. The switch-hitting Ngoepe found himself facing lefty ace Jon Lester<\/a><\/strong>. He was able to make contact on a 89 MPH pitch, and he drove it past Lester, through the infield gap. Further, he earned a walk on his second plate appearance. Finally, he struck out in his final plate appearance of the game.<\/p>\n .@Pirates<\/a> 2B Gift Ngoepe\u2019s first @MLB<\/a> hit comes in his first AB.<\/p>\n Save that ball! pic.twitter.com\/eLW0Osfegy<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) April 27, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n In the top of the ninth inning, Ngoepe pivoted the game ending double play hit into by Albert Almora<\/a><\/strong>. Before the\u00a0double play, he had three other defensive chances, accounting for two assists and one putout.<\/p>\n The Pirates this year are a team of many nations. To make room for Ngoepe on the 25-man roster, the Pirates sent Lithuanian Dovydas Neverauskas<\/a><\/strong> to Triple-A. On April 25, Neverauskas had become the second Lithuanian to ever play in a MLB game.<\/p>\n\n
Gift Ngoepe’s Debut<\/h3>\n
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