Fairbanks Takes the Mound for One Special Start, Then Heads Home for the Big Moment

Here's a baseball story that hits different. Pete Fairbanks, the Miami Marlins closer, got a rare start against the Yankees on Sunday, and it wasn't about pitching his way back into form or proving anything to the team. His wife was set to have labor induced Monday morning, so the Marlins did something you almost never see: they let their closer start a game just so he could get home for the birth of his child.

A First Inning That Didn't Go the Way Anyone Planned

Fairbanks took the mound in what would be a weird spot for a guy who normally closes games. He threw 27 pitches in the first inning, but the damage came quick. Ben Rice absolutely crushed one off him for a three-run homer that put New York up 3-1. After that, left-hander Andrew Nardi came in to relieve for the bottom of the second. It wasn't the performance Fairbanks was looking for, but honestly, the outcome of the game probably wasn't what mattered most to him that day.

A Rare Moment in Baseball

The Marlins announced around the 1:35 p.m. start time (which came after a 3-hour, 35-minute rain delay) that Fairbanks was starting instead of Chris Paddack. For a 32-year-old closer who last pitched on Tuesday, a start is basically unheard of. His last actual start on the mound came way back on Sept. 21, 2020, when he pitched 1 2/3 innings for Tampa Bay at the Mets. The team immediately put him on paternity leave after the game.

Baseball's got plenty of stories about grinding through injuries, chasing records, and the grind of a 162-game season. But sometimes the best moment is when a team shows it gets what really matters. Fairbanks heads home to be there for his family, and that's the win that counts.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.