January 1, Padres Star Finally Breaks Record-Setting Drought With Jaw-Dropping Blast

Wyatt’s Take

• Fernando Tatis Jr. snapped a staggering 207 at-bat home run drought with a monster 451-foot solo shot against the Nationals — the second-longest homerless streak ever for a player who’s hit 40-plus dingers in a season
• The Padres superstar’s relief was palpable, cursing on camera about how overdue the blast was after going 55 games without leaving the yard to start 2026
• Despite the thunderous homer, Washington still handed San Diego a 9-4 loss, proving that individual fireworks don’t always translate to team wins

San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. is one of the most talented players in MLB, and his home run drought was almost as incredible as his play on the field. Tatis probably doesn’t think so, but going 207 at-bats without a dinger, at his caliber, was something to behold.

With every pitch he saw, fans never knew which throw could be launched into the seats. It finally came Saturday against the Washington Nationals.

The Padres second baseman launched a solo home run off Nationals starter Foster Griffin 451 feet. He finished the day 2-for-5 with an RBI.

“I just knew right away. About f—ing time.”

Tatis’ 55-game homerless streak to start the season was the second-most ever for a player who hit 40 or more home runs in a single season, only behind Boston Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski’s 57-game streak in 1972. He received a joyous welcome after he rounded the bases and went back into the dugout.

It was his first home run since Sept. 27 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“There’s no off days over here man. This game will find a way how to still punish you.”

Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts believed Tatis will get some better sleep now.

“Bet you he’ll sleep a little better tonight, knowing that he has a little ‘one’ on his numbers. He has a lot in his career, but it’s different. Everyone knows what the deal is here. Everyone knows he has zero, so I think getting that kind of pressure off his back is nice.”

Washington, however, picked up a 9-4 win. The three-time All-Star is hitting .271 with a .670 OPS, six doubles, a triple and a home run.

Why It Matters

There’s something deeply American about watching a superstar battle through adversity and finally break through. Tatis didn’t make excuses, didn’t blame anyone else — he just kept swinging until the ball finally flew. That’s the kind of grit and determination that built this country, the same values our communities depend on every single day.