Carl Crawford was a proud father watching his son, Justin Crawford, play for the Phillies. The elder Crawford watched from the stands after the final out on Thursday. Eighteen years earlier, Carl Crawford stood on the same infield and watched a red dogpile form.
Crawford wore a red Phillies cap and a white jersey with the same number he’d worn years ago. The elder Crawford beamed as he watched his son emerge from the tunnel in the Phillies dugout.
“I’m so proud,” he said after he wrapped his son in a hug.
Justin Crawford’s Debut
Justin Crawford looked like a big-leaguer. He looked like a big-leaguer who can help a stagnant Phillies offense.
In a 5-3 win over the Rangers on opening day, Crawford excelled. He had two singles and scored a run.
“The guy hits,” Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber said. “I think that’s kind of the biggest takeaway is that the guy just gets hits. He finds a way to get hits.”
Crawford’s Impact on the Game
Crawford’s first big league hit was a two-out single up the middle on the first pitch he saw from Rangers righty Nathan Eovaldi. The inning ended soon after.
His second hit was more consequential.
In the fifth, Crawford led off the inning with another single up the middle. Alec Bohm then came to the plate with two on and two out. Bohm delivered with a three-run home run to the opposite field. Crawford only got credit for one run scored, but the Phillies wouldn’t have plated three without him.
Manager’s Assessment
“Great, great start,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “Had a couple hits, and they paid attention to him on the bases.
So even if he doesn’t get a stolen base, he creates some havoc just that way.”
The havoc that Crawford can wreak starts at the plate.