Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. pays homage to iconic video game character against Reds

Bobby Witt Jr. wasn’t born when the iconic sports video game “Backyard Baseball” first hit shelves on Oct. 10, 1997. That didn’t stop him from channeling the game’s fictional superstar character Pablo Sanchez against the Cincinnati Reds.

On Friday, Witt finished a triple shy of the cycle . He blasted his 25th home run against the Reds and became the third Royal with multiple seasons of at least 25 homers and 25 stolen bases.

And, he did so while utilizing a Pablo Sanchez-inspired bat during the annual Players’ Weekend around the league.

“It was kind of a mutual thing with the guys at Victus (Sports) and just from the agency and everything,” Witt said. “We all kind of figured out his fictional birthday is Sunday so it would be kind of cool (to use the bat). I played the game growing up and “Backyard Baseball” is kind of cool. And, that’s how I try to play the game. It’s kind of like I’m having fun like a kid.”

At times, Witt has looked like a video game character himself. He continues to build a strong case for American League MVP honors. This season, Witt leads the majors with a .352 batting average, 171 hits and 105 runs scored.

Witt also led the Royals to a win on Friday. He drilled his 25th homer into the second deck at Great American Ball Park.

The blast traveled 430 feet and registered a 107.9 mph exit velocity. Later, he added a double down the right-field line and a single.

He also continued to wow his Royals teammates.

“It’s the real deal,” Royals starter Michael Lorenzen said. “There’s not many people you can say that about. You can say that about Bobby. It’s the real deal. It’s incredible. Just the way he goes about his business too, just makes me have that much more respect for him.”

The Royals improved to 67-55. Witt has guided the team’s resurgence with his work at the plate. He is just the ninth Major League Baseball player (since 1901) with at least 25 homers, 10 triples, 30 doubles, and 25 stolen bases in a season.

Witt joined Ken Williams (1922), Willie Mays (1958), Bobby Bonds (1970), Andre Dawson (1983), Juan Samuel (1987), Bobby Abreu (2000), Jimmy Rollins (2007) and Corbin Carroll (2023).

“It’s special any time you kind of say that word: history ,” Witt said. “I’ve just got to keep preparing how I’m preparing and try to keep getting these wins.”

Witt leads the MLB with 19 three-hit games. That’s the most by a Royal since Carlos Beltran during the 2003 season.

And the Royals don’t expect Witt to slow down .

“I don’t want to put it lightly, but I feel like it’s just another day for him,” Royals reliever Kris Bubic said. “I mean, every day he is doing something spectacular. You know, he is the centerpiece of our offense and he makes us go. Watching him do his thing every night, at this point, we are not really surprised by anything because he has been doing it all year. He’s going to do it for many more years to come.”

Witt used the Pablo Sanchez-inspired bat during each at-bat on Friday. He has a couple more bat choices available this weekend. There is a pencil-themed bat to represent local teachers . He also has a few crayon-themed bats (one purple) and a bat that has his intended wedding date and his fiancee’s name.

“My mom’s favorite color is purple,” Witt said. “Those are going to be used for Sunday for the people that kind of helped you. My family, my sisters and everyone.”