Stephen Vogt called the chance to play for the Giants a "lifelong dream" back in February.
That dream became a reality Friday night in Cincinnati, but that doesn't mean it felt any less like a fantasy for the veteran catcher.
During the Giants' 12-11 come-from-behind win over the Reds, Vogt crushed a game-tying solo home run to right field with two outs in the ninth inning. The Giants trailed 8-0 at the end of the third inning, and Vogt's first MLB homer since Sept. 29, 2017 tied the score at 11.
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"Just so much emotion today for me and my family," Vogt told Giants broadcasters Duaine Kuiper and Shawn Esters in a postgame interview. "I got my wife and kids here (in Cincinnati) and to come off the bench and contrbute to a come-from-behind win like that for this team -- I could've never dreamed up a better scenario."
Vogt's homer was his third hit in as many at-bats Friday, and he drove in his third run of the day when he completed his home-run trot. It was Vogt's first three-hit game since Sept. 26, 2017.
After missing the entirety of the 2018 season due to shoulder surgery, Vogt signed a minor-league deal with the Giants at the start of spring training. He didn't make the big league roster out of camp, and started the season in Triple-A Sacramento. The Giants recalled Vogt from the River Cats on Wednesday, and he was slashing .241/.389/.500 with four home runs and seven RBI at the time of his call-up.
San Francisco Giants
"This time getting recalled and getting pulled up to the Giants, this is as close a feeling as I've had to 2012 when I made my [MLB debut with the A's]," Vogt said. "Just with the injury last year and the uncertainty of what the future looks like, and the hard work and time and sweat and energy my whole family has put into this -- it's just so special that they're here right now. ... I couldn't be more proud right now, like I said, just to help contribute to this team with that kind of a comeback win. This is gonna help propel us, I know it. This team's gonna do it."
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Previously, Vogt played parts of five seasons with the A's. He became a fan favorite in Oakland, making the All-Star Game twice (2015 and 2016) and inspiring chants of "I believe in Stephen Vogt!" from the fans in the right-field bleachers.
After he put the Giants in position to complete one of the largest comebacks in franchise history, it might not be long before San Francisco fans start singing it themselves.