Dominic Smith Hits Walk-Off Grand Slam in Braves Debut After Mother's Death

Dominic Smith hit a walk-off grand slam in the ninth inning on his Atlanta Braves debut, securing a 6-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals. The moment came just weeks after his mother, Yvette LaFleuer, died of cancer.

Smith, playing with profound grief, said he felt her presence at the plate. "It’s just amazing," he told reporters. "Being on the right side of this ending... was so fun."

He became the first player in MLB history to hit a walk-off grand slam in his debut with a new team, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Smith, a six-year veteran previously with the New York Mets, had bounced between five teams since 2022. His teammates provided unwavering support as he navigated his mother’s illness and a fight to secure a roster spot.

"They didn’t care about baseball," Smith said. "They cared about her-and about me."