Cypress College grad debuts as pinch-hitter for Derek Jeter

This article by Cypress College Public Information Officer Marc S. Posner was originally published in @Cypress online, the college’s online newspaper.

Late last month, Cypress College alumnus Brandon Laird made his Major League Baseball debut — and it was a memorable one.

Pinch hitting for New York Yankees star Derek Jeter in the seventh inning, Laird drew a walk in his first plate appearance and later scored. Laird’s first official at bat (walks don’t count), an inning, later produced a base hit and a run batted in.

Laird and the Yankees went on to win the July 22 contest 17-7 over the Athletics.

Writing for MLB.com, Matt Fortuna shared Laird’s reaction to his first game:

“Can’t even put it in words,” Laird said. “I’m still speechless, and it’s a dream come true. And to hit for a guy like that, it’s a day I’ll always remember.”

At least one of Laird’s teammates also found the situation remarkable, as reported by Fortuna:

“That was so great,” Nick Swisher said of Laird’s debut. “When I saw him putting his helmet on I was like, ‘Man, what do you think you’re doing?’ And he said, ‘I’m about to get an at-bat,’ and I was thinking to myself, ‘Who for?’

“I mean, pinch-hitting for Derek Jeter and getting your first Major League hit? That’s not too shabby.”

In all, Laird appeared in four games as an injury replacement before being returned to his Triple-A team in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Laird, who played at Cypress College during the 2006 and 2007 seasons, is the 16th Charger to reach the Major Leagues. Among them, is Laird’s brother Gerald, who played at Cypress in 1999.

Cypress College’s Sports Information Director Tom Sheridan reported:

Yankee skipper Joe Girardi was so impressed by the Cypress native that he put him in the starting lineup the very next day.

Laird followed in his brother Gerald’s footsteps by becoming the second Laird to make a big league roster after playing for legendary head coach Scott Pickler at Cypress College. His brother Gerald is a nine-year veteran catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.

In the Cypress College record books, Brandon Laird still ranks in the Top 10 of many offensive categories, while his brother Gerald still holds the single season records for runs and triples.

On the Cypress career-hitting list, Laird holds the all-time Charger records in total bases with 242, ranks second all-time on the hit list with 154, and games played with 106. His 97 RBI are good enough for sixth all-time, and his 33 doubles have him tied for seventh on the list.