Still, even with encouragement from the then-leader, the center fielder continued to play without the record in mind. He didn’t count down. He doesn’t even remember when he became aware he was within reach.
So, as Honeycutt stepped up to the plate to lead off for the Tar Heels, the at-bat was mechanical. On a 2-2 count, the junior ripped a fastball to right field. He jogged around the bases and shared his signature revolving clap celebration with Forbes.
Record tied. Fifty-seven career home runs in the books.
And when the third inning rolled around, Honeycutt stepped to the plate again with the same mindset. Only this time, he connected on the second pitch.
Just like that, North Carolina crowned a new king.
As the crowd rose and cheered, Honeycutt didn’t even crack a smile running around the bases. According to Forbes, this is normal. The young star boasts an atypical kind of humility.
“He’s got all the right attributes that you hope your best player has and that makes us better,” Forbes said. “It makes my job easier.”
While Honeycutt rarely revels in his own achievements, senior designated hitter Alberto Osuna finds it easy to brag about his teammate.
To Osuna, it’s hard to even put into words. Honeycutt is just unbelievable and unexplainable. His performances are “jaw-dropping.”
“That’s the best player I think I’ll ever see,” Osuna said. “Just being in the same batting practice group as him all three years and just being in the same life as him is a true honor to me. I don’t think I could ever ask for anything else.”
Although he isn’t impressed with his titles, Honeycutt enjoys celebrating them with his teammates. In those moments, he’s finally able to reflect.
He said he remembers being a kid and dreaming of donning Carolina Blue. He also remembers wanting to make an impact on the same program his father played for 30 years before he did.
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“From a little kid who always wanted to come here, get opportunities to play and then accomplish some things along the way, it was really cool [and] really special,” Honeycutt said.
And with the regular season drawing to a close, Honeycutt’s time at North Carolina is coming to an end as well. As a projected first-round draft pick, the star will likely leave UNC after the season concludes.
Still, according to Forbes, he doesn’t talk about his success and the future he will have because of it. He hasn’t met with any Major League Baseball teams. In Forbes’ words, Honeycutt wants to focus on simply “having a blast with his boys.”
Although his celebration was reserved as he rounded the bases, the center fielder’s time in the locker room told a different story. After receiving his home run ball, Honeycutt finally celebrated with the team that has made his college career worthwhile.
“It was special,” Honeycutt said. “I think it was one of those things [where] all the guys are around and that’s kind of what you do it for.”
Matthew Maynard contributed reporting to this story.
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Emma MoonEmma Moon is the 2024-25 assistant sports editor. She previously served as the Summer Sports Editor and as a senior writer. Emma is a senior majoring in Media and Journalism, and English. She has red hair and drives a Prius.