New York Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon became the oldest player in Major League Baseball history to hit his first career home run, blasting a two-run shot in the second inning of Saturday’s game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego.
Colon, 42, sent a 1-1 pitch from Padres starting pitcher James Shields into the left field bleachers in his 226th career at-bat to give the Mets a 4-0 lead.
His teammates left the Mets’ dugout during Colon’s home run trot before returning to gather around Colon and celebrate.
All of Colon’s three career extra-base hits have come in his three seasons with the Mets.
Randy Johnson previously held the title of oldest player to hit his first home run, doing so at age 40 on Sept. 19, 2003, as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Colon gave up three runs, six hits and a walk and struck out five in 6 2/3 innings before departing. He left with a 2.82 ERA and now has 33 strikeouts in seven games this season.