OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Vogt cherished going to San Francisco Giants games on July 4 or Mother’s Day as a kid coming from Central California, and now he really appreciates playing on special holidays.
On Monday, the 37-year-old Vogt changed his walk-up music to “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen and then swung for the fences.
“Just thankful for being born in the USA. It’s kind of corny. It’s always special to play on holidays but July 4th is always such a great day. I’m just thankful for that,” Vogt said. “There was a lot of memories of the good times. A packed crowd at the Coliseum — there’s no better place to play major league baseball than the Coliseum packed with fans. Clearly we fed off it tonight.”
Vogt’s family had just arrived for the summer, too, and he treated them to a home run and sacrifice fly on the Fourth of July as the Oakland Athletics beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1 on Monday night.
“I’ll say he was born in the USA, that’s for sure,” winning pitcher Cole Irvin said. “I knew he was going to hit one today.”
Ramón Laureano also went deep and Elvis Andrus had an early two-run double to back Irvin’s gem for the A’s, who drew a season-high 24,403 fans on fireworks night.
Some of them chanted “We believe in Stephen Vogt!” in a chorus reminiscent of cheers that became popular during the veteran catcher’s first stint with the club that included some unexpected playoff heroics.
“The atmosphere is how it used to be,” said Vogt’s proud wife, Alyssa.
Irvin retired his first 11 batters before Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled in the fourth and Alejandro Kirk followed with a run-scoring single. A’s third baseman Vimael Machin then lunged to his right and snared a sharp grounder by Teoscar Hernández to…