Welcome to Navaville
Population: 37,061. Founded: February 22, 1983. Expanded: June 12, 2010.
Navaville was founded on the hopes and dreams of a pair of parents endlessly playing catch and throwing batting practice with their son and devotedly driving their kids to and from Little League. The verdant fields of this town are watered by the tears over years of disappointment of their child being overlooked because of his size even though he had the skills. The municipality’s boundaries were only limited by Becky and Don Nava’s belief in their son, and at 4:45 PM Daniel Nava extended the town’s borders 385 feet beyond its original borders. The former independent league player powered the first major league pitch he saw into the home bullpen with the bases loaded in the second inning.
After the Red Sox secured the series with their second consecutive blowout victory, Nava likely contacted Erin Andrews, his long-time crush, to grant her the key to the city. She already tweeted her congratulations and said she wanted to meet him.
Only one other player, Kevin Kouzmanoff, has hit a grand slam in his first major league at bat on the first pitch. Teammate Jeremy Hermida accomplished this feat as a pinch hitter on August 31, 2005, but his came with the count 1-1. William “Frosty Bill” Duggleby, a pitcher for the Phillies, did the same on April 21, 1898, but not on the first pitch.
The other Red Sox players couldn’t quite give him the silent treatment because one-third of the lineup was already high-fiving him around home plate. As he did with Darnell McDonald before him, Kevin Youkilis pummeled the rookie, his unique way of welcoming newcomers who made extraordinary plays to the club.
The headline of the day was supposed to be Daisuke Matsuzaka’s late scratch with a right forearm strain and Scott Atchison’s emergency start. Or, given the weather, a postponed game and a day/night doubleheader on Sunday. But the rain held off just enough for fans to witness an exhilarating, historic moment. Even the blunders by Dick Stockton (thought that McDonald was Nava), Tim McCarver (Charlie Manuel isn’t the brightest manager, but even he knows to slot in a designated hitter in an American League park), and Michael Milken (Tony Francona?) couldn’t tarnish the wonder of this game. On days like these, baseball transcends all.
| Game 64: June 12, 2010 | ||
| Phillies 31-29 | 2 | L: Joe Blanton (1-5) |
| 2B: Brian Schneider (2), Chase Utley (12), Raul Ibanez (11) | ||
 Red Sox37-27 | 10 | W: Manny Delcarmen (2-2) |
| 2B: Dustin Pedroia (21), David Ortiz (13), J.D. Drew (16), Daniel Nava (1) HR: J.D. Drew (7), Daniel Nava (1) | ||
