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Dominic Smith played with a heavy heart when he made his debut for the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night – his sixth team in four years.
Smith’s mother, Yvette LaFleuer, died of cancer earlier this month. When Smith came into action against the Kansas City Royals in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded, he said he could feel their presence with him.
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The Atlanta Braves celebrate at home plate after a grand slam by Dominic Smith, center, during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
The slugger hit a grand slam to win the game for the Braves, 6-2.
“It’s just incredible,” he told reporters. “I played against the Braves for a long time, and being on the other side made a lot of those endings, so being on the right side this time was so much fun.”
Smith said his teammates were very supportive of him during spring training when his mother was ill. She was diagnosed with cancer in September and nearly died at the start of camp.
He left the team to be with her for over a week when she had a “scare” and when he returned he was fighting for a spot on the team.
Dominic Smith of the Atlanta Braves reacts after hitting a grand slam during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
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“This team is just awesome,” Smith said. “I’m so blessed because of the love they showed me, the support they gave me every day. They ask about her, about her well-being, about my well-being, and that’s all they really cared about. They didn’t care about baseball.”
Smith’s grand slam made him the first player in MLB history to achieve the moment in his debut with a new team, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Smith is trying to find a permanent home after spending his first six years with the New York Mets. He has played for the Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants since leaving New York.
Dominic Smith (8) of the Atlanta Braves hits a grand slam during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
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Last year, Smith had five home runs and 33 RBIs in 63 games with the Giants.
