Matt Vance immortalizes himself as a Legionnaire legend (Photo: Rene Thalemann, Instagram: @photosbyrt)
Matthew ‘Matt’ Thomas Vance officially became a ‘Legionnaire Legend’ on 6/26/2022.
In the clear 7:0 home win of his legionnaires against the Tübingen Hawks, the 35-year-old Vance scored his 567th hit with a double in the first inning, making him the sole record holder in Regensburg’s all-time hitting statistics. Only the day before, Vance had drawn level with the previous leader Ludwig Glaser.
The general conditions for the big moment were almost perfect. Best baseball weather, a well-filled Armin Wolf Arena and a very special player outfit: the Bundesliga team from Regensburg played in special jersey in the colors of name sponsor Guggenberger this Sunday.
Review of an impressive baseball CV
The American Matt Vance, born in 1986 in Solana Beach, California / USA, has played baseball – according to his own statement – since he can remember. From 2005 to 2008, Vance was part of the Harvard Crimson Baseball team and played in the Ivy League. In his first season he won the championship with Harvard. In 2006 and 2007, Vance was on the All Ivy First Team.
In 2009, Vance switched to the 1st Baseball Bundesliga and has been playing for the Legionnaires ever since. With Regensburg, he won the German championship four times (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), was twice MVP of the Bundesliga South (2010, 2020) and once Finals MVP (2013).
In 2009, Vance was also named Finals MVP at the ‘Open International de Rouen’ in France. He played for the ‘Gauting Indians’, which consisted of the best foreign players in the Bundesliga. In the finals, the Indians defeated Team USA, a selection of US college players.
Vance played for the German national team at the qualifying tournament for the ‘World Baseball Classic 2013’. The tournament took place in September 2012 in Regensburg. The German team made it to the decisive qualifier and ultimately lost 11-1 to Canada.
In February 2016, Vance switched sides and played for the Philippines national team at the 2017 World Baseball Classic qualifier – alongside his brother Kevin Vance.
Editor: Marcel Eßers
