Former Red Sox fan favorite hits Opening Day home run in first NPB game

It's always fun to see former players of your favorite team succeed elsewhere, as long as it does not come at your team's expense. 

First baseman Bobby Dalbec could have turned into something very special with the Boston Red Sox, but he couldn't reach a high level of consistency at the plate. The 30-year-old hit a career high of 25 home runs with the Red Sox in 2021. 

Dalbec signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox last offseason and took 21 trips to the plate, collecting just four hits in 7 Major League games. 

This past December, Dalbec landed a one-year deal with Nippon Professional Baseball's Yomiuri Giants. 

Dalbec hits Opening Day bomb 

NPB is in a "dead ball" era, which means the balls aren't flying off the bats like they used to. Chunichi Dragons first baseman Miguel Sano learned that the hard way the other day, watching his towering fly ball drop in front of the warning track. 

Dalbec did not run into the same issue, connecting for his first NPB home run in a 3-1 victory against the Hanshin Tigers. 

Dalbec's career trajectory has been up and down, but maybe he's found a place where he can stick in Japan. 

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