Gelof continues to excel in the show
The Oakland A’s took two of three games from the Phillies this past weekend, but the big news is that local Cape grad Zack Gelof made his debut in Philadelphia.
Hundreds of downstate Delaware fans made the two-hour trip to watch and support the hometown kid. Most were wearing A’s shirts with Gelof’s name on the back that were bought as a fundraiser for the Cape baseball program. While at Cape, Gelof was 2018 first-team All Henlopen Conference, first-team all-state, Henlopen Conference Player of the Year, Delaware Player of the Year and Gatorade Player of the Year.
“It’s great to see Zack compete at this level,” said Cape coach Ben Evick. “He’s worked his tail off since the day I met him, and he’s earned everything he’s got. He continues to work at his craft, and has a desire to get better and better.”
Back in the No. 2 spot in the batting order, Gelof went 0-for-2 with two walks with a run scored in Friday’s loss, but Saturday and Sunday were a different story.
Gelof launched a fastball over the left-field fence in the third inning that brought out the boos from the Philly crowd. However, it made the local fans who made the trip stand and cheer. As he rounded the bases, he gave his signature heart hand gesture to his parents Adam and Kelly, who are at every game they can make.
“We make like every other weekend series, bouncing between Jake and Zack,” said Adam.
Gelof’s younger brother Jake is playing for the Dodgers’ high-A club in Midland, Mich.
Gelof said getting boos from the Philly crowd means he was doing something right, and it was pretty cool.
He continued to thrill his fans Sunday, when he went 1-for-5 and sent a pitch out of Citizens Bank Park for a grand slam, his first in the pros. The slam came on the anniversary of his MLB debut one year ago.
He has delivered with 11 home runs this season, including eight since the beginning of June.
“Playing in Philadelphia in front of such a huge hometown Delaware crowd felt incredible,” said Gelof. “I was able to feel the support from the crowd all three days of this series. Having such fan, family and friends support from all over gives me an extra boost that helps me elevate my game that much more. To look out into the crowd and see so many number 20 jerseys and all of those yellow shirts representing the 302, was very special to me. Then, getting to actually say hello and thank so many after the games made the weekend even better.
“Hitting my first big league grand slam in Citizens Bank was super cool. The best part was doing it in front of and sharing that moment with so many people that have supported me on this journey and continue to do so.”
