The World Series had not even officially commenced when Tampa Bay Rays slugger Junior Caminero turned batting practice into an exhibition of raw power at American Family Field in Milwaukee. Ahead of Friday’s Game 1 matchup, the 22-year-old infielder left his mark on the venue in more ways than one, starting with a powerful blast on Thursday that knocked out a portion of the center-field videoboard.
Not content with the damage inflicted on the structural displays, Caminero nearly struck the FOX broadcast booth setup a day later during pregame preparations. The close call threatened the setup designated for broadcasters Kevin Burkhardt, Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, and Derek Jeter.
“Junior Caminero tried to murder us before the game,” Burkhardt quipped live on air during the pregame show while reflecting on the near-miss.
Caminero arrives in the Fall Classic carrying considerable momentum following a stellar performance in the American League Championship Series. During Game 6 against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday, the young slugger punctuated Tampa Bay’s pennant-clinching victory by driving a laser off the left-field foul pole in the bottom of the seventh inning, followed by an extended home run trot.
With his explosive display during pregame practice sessions in Milwaukee, Caminero appears poised to carry his postseason heroics directly into the championship series.
