Athletics’ Stephen Vogt ends career with kids introducing him, home run in last AB: ‘Can’t even make it up’

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There is no sport that comes up with better storybook endings than baseball.

Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt was playing in the final game of his big league career Wednesday, and his day began with his kids introducing him in his first at-bat. It ended with him hitting a home run in his last trip to the plate.

And as he addressed the home crowd before one last time, the fans began the chant of “I believe in Stephen Vogt,” one he has heard in the Oakland Coliseum since 2014, his second season with the team.

“I will always be an Oakland A. This place is home forever and I just can’t be thankful enough for the way you welcomed my family with open arms,” said Vogt, who announced his retirement in late September. “I just can’t say thank you enough to the Oakland A’s organization, my teammates and my family, and today was a dream come true and something I would have never drawn up in my dreams, so thank you so much.”

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Vogt’s final chapter began as he came to bat in the bottom of the second inning. As he walked to the plate, his kids introduced him as “our dad, No. 21, Stephen Vogt.”

He grounded out in that at-bat and then walked in his second plate appearance.

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It appeared his day might be over after that. He was in the game to catch rookie Ken Waldichuk, who gave up a one-out single in the top of the seventh. But the southpaw induced an inning-ending double play from Livan Soto.

The double play meant the team kept the 37-year-old Vogt in the game for one more at-bat. On the first pitch from LA reliever Zack Weiss, he ripped a line drive to right field for a home run. 

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“The double play ball that Waldi rolled up in the seventh inning gets Stephen an at-bat. And he just writes the story, right?” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “A homer on the first pitch and exits his career like you want to as a player, like you couldn’t draw it up any better.”

As if that wasn’t enough of a storybook ending, the home run was hit in nearly the exact same location as his first home run in 2013.

“That Budweiser porch, I’m a big fan. First and last right there,” Vogt said.

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It wasn’t exactly a memorable season for the Athletics. Oakland finished with the worst record in the American League at 60-102.

But Vogt, a two-time All-Star with the Athletics and a 10-year journeyman catcher in MLB, couldn’t have drawn up a better end to his career.

“Walking up, knowing this is your very last play you’re ever going to have on a major league baseball field, just go have fun. Go have fun, be ready to hit and hopefully get something out over the plate to drive and I did, somehow, didn’t miss it,” Vogt said.

“What a beautiful day that the Oakland A’s organized for my family and myself today. And I mean, what a day, what a game. Like I said, catching seven shutout (innings), walking, hitting a homer in your final at bat. You can’t even make it up.”

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