"I almost missed my own debut."
These are the words of John Bormann, UTSA's catcher from 2012-15, as he reflected on April 30, 2017, the day the Pittsburgh Pirates called him up to fill in after Francisco Cervelli went down with an injury.
Bormann, who was drafted in the 24th round of the 2015 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, was playing for the Class-A Bradenton Marauders on the day he received the call.
"We were in Port Charlotte, which is on the west side of Florida, playing against the Stone Crabs," Bormann recalls. "I was slated to catch the day game, catch one of our prospects. I'm fired up because this is a big deal for me."
The Seguin, Texas, native had just returned from a batting practice session and was about to eat a pregame meal when he was called into the manager's office.
"They sat me down and explained to me the situation," Bormann said. "They told me they needed me in Miami. In the next five minutes we were in the car and on the way to Miami."Would you rather listen to this story? We recorded a podcast and you can hear it on Apple Podcasts by clicking here or scrolling to the bottom of the story and clicking play on the SoundCloud player.
The distance between the Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte and Marlins Park in Miami is 194 miles. The drive was expected to take three hours.
"We made the three-hour drive in two hours and 15 minutes," Bormann chuckled.
On the trip over, Bormann called his parents, UTSA head coach Jason Marshall and some of his friends.
"I called my dad…I asked him if he knew what time the Pirates were on today because he probably should," Bormann recalled.
The car pulled up outside of Marlins Park in the third inning. Bormann was in the passenger seat of a rental car that was driven by the Marauders' field coordinator.
"We tried to get into this parking garage," Bormann added. "They wouldn't let us in the parking garage because we don't have the right credentials. We're sitting outside of the parking garage and calling people to try to let us in."
Someone from the Pirates' front office finally came out to vouch for Bormann, who jumped the security fence and raced into the clubhouse. He was escorted to his locker and asked what size pants he needed.
"I wore Jung-ho Kang's pants," Bormann said.
Bormann, who was rushing to get to the dugout, said he signed his big-league contract with his pants around his ankles.
"There was a lot going on," Bormann remembered.
One thing he will never forget is the seeing his name embroidered on the back of an authentic MLB jersey.
"The only time, I think, I've ever seen my name on a jersey was one of those heat-pressed, dri-fit shirts," Bormann joked.
After changing, he hustled to the dugout and settled in as the Pirates were nursing a 3-1 lead in the third inning.
Miami took the lead in the fifth inning and tacked on six runs in the seventh to claim a 10-3 advantage. It was soon after that Bormann was tipped off he might be seeing action. Tom Prince, the Pirates' bench coach, broke the news that he would be a pinch hitter in the ninth inning.
"Josh Harrison made a gesture early on in the game that I might be getting an (at-bat)," Bormann said. "(Prince) came over and breaks the news to me. From there, the heart rate starts going."
Bormann was due up third in the top of the ninth inning to replace Harrison.
After Chris Stewart struck out looking and Jose Osuna doubled down the left-field line, it was Bormann's turn.
Before he went to the plate, Bormann checked with Prince one last time. He had only one more piece of advice.
"He said the coolest thing, 'just listen to them call your name'," Bormann remembered. "From there the nerves stopped. All I had to do was to hear my name called. Hearing my name in a big-league stadium being called was the part that I will remember most."
Bormann dug in to the right-handed batter's box to face Marlins rookie left-hander Jarlin Garcia.
The first pitch from Garcia was a 94 MPH four-seam fastball that Bormann foul tipped.
"I was trying to put it off the glass in left field," Bormann boasted. "I took a huge hack and fouled it straight back. I was able to keep that ball."
After taking two changeups just out of the zone, the broadcast cameras panned over to the Pirates dugout, which was cracking up at the rookie working the count.
"I did see the clips of them laughing and smiling," Bormann added. "I was just trying to put together a competitive at-bat."
Bormann fouled off another pitch before striking out on a changeup.
"I gave it everything I had," Bormann said. "Would I love another shot at it? Absolutely."
As Bormann headed back into the dugout he was greeted by Jordy Mercer, who opened his arms and gave him a big hug. David Freese did the same. So did Ivan Nova. Veterans rushing over not to congratulate him on striking out, but for becoming one of them. A Major Leaguer.
After a few minutes went by, Bormann went over and tapped Harrison on the shoulder.
"I kind of had the feeling that he gave the OK to (give his plate appearance to me)," Bormann said. "From what I'm hearing more and more, it was his idea. I said, 'thanks, man.' It was a heartfelt thank you. It means a lot."
It's a memory that Bormann will never forget.
The 24-year-old will return to minor league spring training on Feb. 20, hoping to break camp with the Double-A Altoona Curve.
Even if Bormann never makes it back to 'The Show', he still holds the distinction of being UTSA's first player to appear in a Major League game.
And one that he almost wasn't allowed in the gates for.Listen to the full interview on Apple Podcasts or below using SoundCloud.