Blue Jays' Chad Dallas honors late father in dream-like MLB debut

When Chad Dallas learned he was being called up to MLB for the first time, it was Lou Gehrig Day.

And for he and his family, that day arrives with extra poignancy. A little over a year ago, Dallas' father Tony died from ALS, colloquially known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

That was, as Dallas put it on Thursday night, "like a little God wink."

That wasn't all, though.

In Dallas' MLB debut, as the bulk reliever against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, he outpitched Chris Sale to earn his first MLB win.

Dallas threw 3.2 innings out of the bullpen, allowing a single run while giving up two hits, walking two and striking out two.

After putting up a 4.50 ERA in Triple-A so far this season, after missing all of 2025 following Tommy John Surgery, Dallas was sharp in his first ever foray into the big leagues.

"Just tons of emotions," Dallas told reporters after the game. "Dreamed of this day since I was 3 or 4."

MORE: Outfielder retires from baseball to go play college football

Dallas was never a super top-tier prospect, and his arm injury that forced an entire missed season could've derailed him.

Instead, he was sharp in Spring Training and started the season particularly strong for Buffalo. He had stumbled just a bit of late, but injuries in Toronto meant that didn't matter -- he was going to get this chance almost by default.

But as soon as Dallas got the call on Lou Gehrig Day, he felt the extra special nature of all of this.

His father wouldn't be in the ballpark to watch him, but from the grandstand in the sky, Tony was certainly keeping an eye on his son.

And in an MLB debut that Dallas had prepared for his whole life, he delivered a night no one would soon forget.

More MLB news:

• Bo Bichette reveals his plans for his opt-out clause
• Bumpus Jones is trending for an 1892 accomplishment
• The last time a team was this bad at walking, it took 9 balls to earn a walk
• Chase Burns makes Reds history that hasn't been done in 104 years
• Guardians pitcher trying to complete incredible comeback