Jon M. Fishman - Fernando Tatis Jr.

Jon M. Fishman

Lerner Publications Minneapolis

Copyright 2022 by Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

All rights reserved. International copyright secured. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc., except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

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An imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

First Avenue North

Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA

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Main body text set in Albany Std. Typeface provided by Agfa.

Editor: Brianna Kaiser Photo Editor: Brianna Kaiser

Lerner team: Sue Marquis

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Fishman, Jon M., author.

Title: Fernando Tatis Jr. / Jon M. Fishman.

Description: Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publications, 2022. | Series: Sports all-stars | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Audience: Ages | Audience: Grades | Summary: In his first MLB season, shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. joined the San Diego Padres as one of baseballs top prospects. Sports fans will thrill at this high-action book about one of baseballs rising starsProvided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020058571 (print) | LCCN 2020058572 (ebook) | ISBN 9781728428659 (library binding) | ISBN 9781728431567 (paperback) | ISBN 9781728430782 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Tatis, Fernando, Jr., 1999Juvenile literature. | Baseball players United StatesBiographyJuvenile literature. | Baseball playersDominican RepublicBiographyJuvenile literature.

Classification: LCC GV865.T27 F57 2021 (print) | LCC GV865.T27 (ebook) | DDC 796.357092 [B]dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020058571

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020058572

Manufactured in the United States of America

1-49402-49503-4/14/2021

Table of Contents

Fernando Tatis Jr. hits a two-run home run on October 1, 2020.

Finishing the Job

On October 1, 2020, Fernando Tatis Jr. stood at home plate to try to save the season for the San Diego Padres. The Padres faced the St. Louis Cardinals in the Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs. St. Louis won Game the day before.

Facts at a Glance

Date of birth: January 2, 1999

Position: shortstop

League: MLB

Professional highlights: was the youngest player to start the season with the San Diego Padres; helped his Dominican Republic team win their first championship since 1968; in 2020, led the Padres in runs, home runs, and stolen bases

Personal highlights: grew up in San Pedro de Macors, Dominican Republic; likes to play video games; nicknamed El Nio

In the sixth inning of Game 2, the Padres were losing If they lost the game, their season would be finished.

Fans looked to Tatis as he waved his bat back and forth above his shoulder. The pitch curved over the plate, and Tatis took a mighty swing. Crack! The baseball soared over the left-field fence for a three-run home run.

Tatiss three-run homer made the score In the next inning, San Diego took a lead. Tatis came to bat

Tatis ( right ) celebrates with teammates after hitting his two-run homer.