McGriff’s First Big Swing of ’99 Still Echoes Today

On April 29, 1999, Fred McGriff finally broke through with his first home run of the season, part of a strong two-hit performance that helped push the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to a 4–1 win over the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park.

According to the official box score, McGriff finished the day 2-for-4 with a solo shot that extended Tampa Bay’s lead and gave the club the breathing room it needed to close things out. His bat was steady all afternoon, anchoring an offense that backed a solid pitching performance to secure the road victory.

That first homer opened the door to what would become one of McGriff’s best years in a Devil Rays uniform. He went on to hit .310 with 32 home runs during the 1999 season, showing that even deep into his career, he remained one of the most reliable power hitters in the game.

Looking back, that April swing stands as an early bright spot in the Devil Rays’ young history, a reminder of how McGriff’s steady presence helped shape the team’s early years.