Historic walk-off HR debut for Braden Montgomery. Plus: You fix the All-Star Game
Braden Montgomery's walk-off debut marks a dramatic turning point for the White Sox. The 23-year-old outfielder became the fifth MLB player to end his debut with a walk-off homer, delivering against Atlanta closer Raisel Iglesias, who entered with a 0.87 ERA. Montgomery arrived in Chicago as part of the rebuild after being acquired from Boston in the Garrett Crochet trade in December 2024, alongside four prospects—Davis Martin, Miguel Vargas, Colson Montgomery and Sam Antonacci—and while Munetaka Murakami joined the organization this winter. In the minors, Montgomery hit .314/.422/.548 with a .970 OPS and 10 homers in 56 games across Double-A Durham and Triple-A Charlotte. The White Sox are a half-game out of first in the AL Central and sit in the second AL wild-card slot after the win. Murakami’s status remains a factor, as the slugger is likely to miss time with a hamstring strain until July, underscoring Chicago’s balancing act between a promising young core and veterans. The Windup also notes a Brewers move, with 21-year-old outfielder Luis Lara signing a seven-year deal worth at least $31 million and potentially up to $78 million with incentives. The piece also recounts a family subplot: Luisangel Acuña tagged out his brother Ronald Jr. in the top of the second, before Ronald left the game with a left hamstring issue. Readers’ ideas for fixing the All-Star Game—beyond the Home Run Derby—include a skills competition and a one-on-one format, reflecting ongoing debates about star power and format.
