Gift Ngoepe (29) made history when he became the first African-born person to play in Major League Baseball, but his roots are firmly planted in Randburg.
He did this when he made his debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates on 26 April 2017, recording a hit and a run as a pinch hitter against the Chicago Cubs.
Gift grew up in a small room at the back of the clubhouse of the Randburg Mets, a team based at Randburg Sports Complex. His mother, Maureen Ngoepe, was a clubhouse attendant for the Mets.
Before her death in 2013, Gift promised his mother he'd make her proud one day.
The international sports star did not forget his roots and still visits the clubhouse to see family and old baseball friends every Christmas. You could call this a different kind of home run.
He comes through with his brother, Victor, who also plays in the minor leagues in America.
“This is where it all started for me,” Gift's eyes glanced over the fields as he met the Randburg Sun for an interview.
“I saw people playing baseball through the window and I went outside and played on my own off the field. The coach saw me and called me over. He said I have a strong arm and can join his team.”
Gift was three years old at the time and played in the club's U6 team. His love for the 'mysterious' side of baseball was fostered and he went on to play at the Mets until he was 18.
Gift progressed from playing in the Gauteng baseball team to the SA juniors and then the SA seniors.
After attending a training camp in Italy, he was scouted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and moved to America to play in the minor leagues for eight years before his Major League debut. He now has 41 games and 72 bats to his name in the MLB.
It was not always easy, and twice Gift considered giving up baseball.
During his first year in the States, he became very homesick and almost called quits. “Then in 2013, when my mom passed away, I wanted to give up and come back to the family.”
But he stuck it out and hopes his story can inspire others to 'never stop striving at what you want in life'.
Gift is still a South African at heart, his favourite dish being pap, chicken and gravy, and the thing he misses most are South African braais.
Gift is a shortstop and second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies organisation.
Photos: Nicholas Zaal
