Steve Finley, 1990 Score #339

In my Internet travels yesterday, I read something that I didn't know (or knew and forgot) about Steve Finley. The former Orioles (and Astros, Padres, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Giants, and Rockies) outfielder was the first player in major league history to hit home runs in three different countries. Obviously, he hit plenty in the United States; the first was a three-run homer off of the Angels' Willie Fraser in Anaheim, California on April 25, 1989. He went deep in Canada for the first time a year later, hitting a game-tying solo shot against Toronto's Frank Wills at SkyDome on September 16, 1990. He had a chance to complete the unusual North American trifecta in 1996, when his Padres played a few games in nearby Monterrey, Mexico. In the bottom of the first inning on August 16, 1996, Finley touched up Mets pitcher Robert Person for a two-run homer. That was the first blow in a wild 15-10 win for San Diego, with Mexican great Fernando Valenzuela earning the win in a fitting touch. In the years since, several other players have joined Steve in his globe-trotting feats, thanks to MLB's now-annual tradition of opening the season with one overseas series. But Finley will always be the first.