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By Jason Ounpraseuth
Contributing Sports Writer
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A Major League Baseball journeyman was the hero for the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night, and his story made it a special night at Truist Park.
The Braves rallied back from a 2-0 deficit against the Kansas City Royals with a six-run ninth inning that was capped off by Dominic Smith's walk-off grand slam.
Smith became the first player in MLB history to hit a walk-off grand slam in his team debut, per Elias Sports via the Braves. The 30-year-old's walk-off grand slam was the first in franchise history since Brooks Conrad's against the Cincinnati Reds on May 20, 2010, per Chad Bishop of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
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The walk-off grand slam carried emotional weight for Smith, who told reporters after the game that his mother died due to cancer on March 15, per Bishop.
That news seemed to have reached the fan, as they returned the ball to Smith, according to Grant McAuley of WZGC-FM. Smith told reporters that Ronald Acuña Jr. signed a baseball for the fan who caught and returned the home run ball, per McAuley.
The reception Smith received after the game showed how respected he's been throughout his major league career. The Braves are the sixth team Smith has played for in his 10th year in the majors. He's very familiar with the National League East, having begun his career with the New York Mets and playing for the Washington Nationals for one season. The veteran admitted it was nice to create a great moment for the Braves instead of being on the other side.
At this stage of his career, Smith primarily is relied on for his bat, and he showed in a big way that Saturday night.
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