Gift Ngoepe becomes First South African Baseball Player Called to US Major League

Congratulations to South African expat Gift Ngoepe who has just become the first South African baseball player to be called to the Major League!

His friend, University of Ghana baseball player, Daniel Yaw Atiemo posted the exciting news on Facebook Wednesday morning, saying: “CONGRATULATIONS. My friend Gift Ngoepe got called up to the major league Baseball team for Pittsburgh Pirates and is the 1st South African to make it right to the top.This is a massive achievement.

“Congratulations to my big brother. A call up to the MLB for the Pirates. So proud and happy for you man. U deserve this man. #PROUD #brother #theshow #1stSAPlayer.”

Another old friend, Gwen Janse van Rensburg, congratulated Gift and said: “Uncle Frans said he always knew you would make it big. You are an inspiration to others and always remember to stay true to yourself. Wish we could watch one of your games.”

Many others posted congratulatory messages and said “years and years of sacrifice and hard work have paid off, never doubted for a minute that you wouldn’t make it” and “hard work, perseverance, hope and talent has taken you a long way. I am ecstatic for you!!!! Keep on keeping on…”

Kyle Derrett‎ said: “Well done on your achievement man!! Proved to everyone that any goal is possible and anyone can achieve success with hard work and determination – All the best soldier; go “kill them” in the big league!”

An American fan wrote: “Hope the best for you. You are an amazing player and awesome to watch play the game. Been watching you in Indianapolis since you have been there and I knew you had special skills. Never got your autograph and I’ll miss you in Indy. But I’ll still go watch and support the Indians!!”

Lee-Ann Meyer, a former neighbour who now lives in Canada, told SAPeople: “Gift grew up across the road from me in Randburg, Johannesburg. He grew up in the Clubhouse on the Randburg Baseball field in Johannesburg where he lived with his brothers and his late mom, where she was a cleaner… and as such he took a liking to baseball and has gone from strength to strength.”

The American press have noted how there’s plenty of Spanish and some Italian influence in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ clubhouse… but this is the first South African.

Gift’s brother Victor is playing in the Gulf Coast League.

This is all quite an adjustment for the brothers. Gift – whose full name is Mpho’ Gift Ngoepe – told the American press: “In South Africa, we only play once a week and we practice twice a week.”

The 27-year-old became the first black South African, and the sixth South African to sign a professional baseball contract back in October 2008.

His international career began when he was invited to Major League Baseball’s academy in Tirrenia, Italy… which is where the Pirates signed him.

Gift played for SA’s national baseball team, before moving to the USA.

Some are calling him a ‘Gift from Africa’…