This is the tear-jerking moment Wynton Bernard told his mom he was a Major League baseball player after 10 years of bouncing around the minors.
Bernard, 31, won't forget this week in a hurry, after the Colorado Rockies called him up to face the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, before he went on to tally his first hit, get a stolen base and secure his first ever run on debut.
Bernard has spent the last decade playing in the minors after he was initially drafted by the San Diego Padres, and he could be forgiven for thinking his time at the top had passed him by.
Wynton Bernard grounds out to second base in his first Major League at bat against Arizona
On Thursday, he gave his mom the news that he was heading up to the major leagues
Both Bernard and his mom cried on the phone, and things got even better on Friday evening
Wynton Bernard got the MLB call up to the Rockies after a decade in the minor leagues.
He shared the moment with his mom 💜🥺
(via @bgold_3) pic.twitter.com/zd0A2bIS4C
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 13, 2022But the center-fielder got the call he dreamed about this week, and instantly FaceTimed his mom to give her the good news.
In the heartwarming clip, Bernard tells his mom: 'I'm going to the major leagues,' before they both break down in tears and he thanks her for her support over the years.
To top it off, she was able to attend the game on Friday night, watching from the stands as her son helped the Rockies to a 5-3 win with his first - and hopefully not last - run in MLB.
Speaking before the game, Bernard said: 'It's a special moment. After how many years I've played I'm finally here. It's amazing. I'm finally here.
'My mom's emotions, it made me break down even more. She's done so much. The way I saw her take care of my dad before he passed away, he was bedridden but she stayed by his side.
Bernard warms up before his Major League Baseball debut with the Colorado Rockies
First hit✅
First stolen base✅
First run✅
What a debut night, @SaintBerny36! pic.twitter.com/zDT2datiFd
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) August 13, 2022'I said to myself, "I know how hard she worked so I'm going to work just as hard -- if not harder." Just to see her reaction meant a lot.'
The 31-year-old was taken in the 35th round of the 2012 draft and spent three seasons in the Padres' minor league system. He also played in the minors for Detroit, San Francisco and the Chicago Cubs along with stints in the Mexican Winter League, Venezuelan Winter League and independent ball.
And he played for the Brisbane Bandits of the Australian Baseball League.
Colorado manager Bud Black went to see Bernard and outfielder Connor Joe in the winter of 2020. He pitched batting practice to both players and encouraged the Rockies to sign them.
'I made the recommendation to our front office to see if we can sign these guys,' Black said. 'Our front office contacted their agents and they got deals done.'
Colorado Rockies head trainer Keith Dugger hugs outfielder Bernard during pregame warmup
Bernard jokes with Kelsey Wingert as she interviews him after his brilliant first MLB game
Joe made his Rockies debut in 2021 while Bernard played for the Isotopes the past two seasons. He hit .254 with seven homers in 2021. This year, his numbers are outstanding: .325 with 17 homers, 24 doubles and 26 stolen bases.
In 10 minor league seasons, he is hitting .286 with 50 homers and 226 stolen bases.
The Rockies designated pitcher Jordan Sheffield for assignment. They also recalled catcher Dom Nunez and placed outfielder Yonathan Daza (left shoulder dislocation) and catcher Elias Diaz (left wrist sprain) on the 10-day injured list.
Bernard was slotted eighth in the lineup for his first big league game.
Through his first two at bats he went hitless with a ground out to second base and then a strike out. He then went on to record his first hit on an infield single in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Colorado would go on to win the game 5-3 after taking the lead in the seventh when Bernard would score the fifth run on a sacrifice fly hit by teammate Jose Iglesias.
The result would leave both teams with a record of 51-64 and tied for fourth place in the National League West. The teams will play again on Saturday in the second of a three game series.
Bernard waves to the crowd following his Major League Baseball debut with the Rockies
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