In the bottom of the first inning, Marcus Semien crushed his 44th home run of the season, a towering 102.3 MPH, two-run shot to left field to give the Toronto Blue Jays a 2-0 lead.
Semien's 44th is the highest single-season mark by a second baseman in MLB history. The previous record was set by Davey Johnson in 1973.
The 31-year-old also recorded his 100th RBI with the home run, making him the third Blue Jays player this season to reach that milestone. Bo Bichette became the fourth just two innings later.
Here's how Blue Jays fans reacted to the historic home run:
Most HR By a 2nd Baseman in a Season in #MLB History:#WeAreBlueJays Marcus Semien (2021) - 44
Davey Johnson (1973) - 43
Rogers Hornsby (1922) - 42
Brian Dozier (2016) - 42
Ryne Sandberg (1990) - 40— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) September 29, 2021
Imagine setting an MLB record for most home runs in a single season by a second baseman and also getting your 100th RBI on the same play?
Marcus Semien can
(: @BlueJays)pic.twitter.com/GA2lcQR2OR— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) September 29, 2021
MARCUS SEMIEN YOU BEAUTIFUL MAN.
— Esfandiar | Es (@JustEsBaraheni) September 29, 2021
Marcus Semien just hits em for fun eh
— Vivek Jacob (@vivekmjacob) September 29, 2021
Marcus Semien’s swing reminds me of Roy Halladay’s delivery. That probably doesn’t make sense, but it is high praise.
— Tao of Stieb (@TaoofStieb) September 29, 2021
Marcus Semien and Vladimir Guerrero Jr have combined for 90 home runs on the season. The Pirates have 122 all season long.
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) September 29, 2021
bro i’m gonna cry marcus semien needs to stay a blue jay
— maddie (@maddiecholette) September 29, 2021
Marcus Semien just hit his 44th homer of the season for the most homers ever by a second baseman. It came off Gerrit Cole. Incredible. Good for Marcus.
— Julian McWilliams (@byJulianMack) September 29, 2021
Marcus Semien signing has to be one of the best, if not best in the past 10 years.
— Logan’s League (@LogansLeague) September 29, 2021
Marcus Semien!!! What a season for him. pic.twitter.com/7EaKJwzFww
— Ricky Romero (@Ricky_Ro24) September 29, 2021