Cubs rookie David Bote doubles in first major league at-bat hours after being called up

DENVER -- Talk about a Hollywood script.

Chicago Cubs rookie -- and Denver-area native -- David Bote doubled in his first major league at-bat Saturday at Coors Field, after being called up from Triple-A Iowa just hours earlier.

Bote, 25, was drafted in the 18th round in 2012 and almost gave up baseball several times, but instead got to play his first major league game -- a 5-2 win for the Rockies -- against his childhood team in front of family and friends.

"It's God ordained," a smiling Bote said before the game. "I grew up watching them. Dante Bichette. Andres Galarraga. Troy Tulowitzki."

Then Bote went out and did what those hitters used to do. He took a 1-0 fastball to right-center, earning a standing ovation from many of the 32 people he left tickets for, including his dad.

"[Kyle Schwarber] told me if I didn't swing at the first strike I saw he would yell at me. Just go up there and look for a pitch to hit and put a good swing on it," Bote said.

Bote is the son of legendary Colorado high school coach Bob Bote and was managed by his brother, Danny, as a senior at nearby Faith Christian high school.

"I was just like, 'Man did this happen? Did that really just happen?" Bote said of his double. "And seeing my teammates on the top step cheering was a cool moment."

He was in his apartment in Des Moines, Iowa, where the Cubs Triple-A affiliate is located, and got the call late Friday night that he was being called up.

"I took a tour [of Coors Field] a couple years ago," Bote said. "It's a little different [now] pulling up to the stadium. It's a different perspective. It's fun to know you belong there and you're going to work there instead of going for entertainment. That was a cool moment."

Bote even toured the visitors clubhouse, picking out where he might locker someday. That day came Saturday. Bote credits his wife with keeping him focused.

"She said, 'We didn't stay in Single-A ball for four years for you to give up now,'" Bote recalled. "I was asked, 'Could you have been further in baseball if you weren't married?' I wouldn't be here if I wasn't married."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.