Blue Jays outfielder Jesús Sánchez leaves game after appearing to be hit by ball thrown from stands
There are many ways a baseball player can get injured and leave the game.
Although not very common, a ball hitting the hand of a fan in the stands is apparently one way.
OUTKICK NOW ON THE FOX APP: CLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jesús Sánchez suffered a 9-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday after being hit by a ball coming from the Camden Yards stands. The incident occurred in the bottom of the sixth inning with the Blue Jays trailing the Orioles 6-0.
Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jesus Sanchez hits a single in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 31. (Daniel Kucin Jr./Imagn Images)
It looked bad at first glance. Sánchez was in right field during a mound visit, appeared to be talking to fans beyond the wall, turned around and was then struck in the right wrist area by what appeared to be a baseball.
This led to understandable confusion on the Peacock release.
“What are you thinking?” Jim Palmer said. “I’d take your fingerprints now.”
Honestly, that was probably the first reaction of many people who watched the video. It doesn’t look very nice when the ball coming from the stands hits the opponent player.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. GET THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
However, a closer examination of the video reveals that there may be some important context here.
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson hit a double play past Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jesus Sanchez during the second inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 31. (Daniel Kucin Jr./Imagn Images)
Sánchez appeared to raise his glove toward the crowd just before the ball came toward him. According to Baltimore Sun reporter Jacob Calvin Meyer, many fans in right field called the incident an accident. They said a young fan, about 13 years old, saw Sánchez clap his glove as if he wanted to play catch, and the fan threw the ball late after Sánchez turned his back.
There’s a big difference between a fan who maliciously throws a ball at a player and a kid who thought he had the greatest opportunity of his life, but the timing went horribly wrong.
And this kind of thing has happened before, albeit with much better results.
In 2012, former Tampa Bay Rays infielder Elliot Johnson famously played catch with fans who challenged him to Twitter. It was one of those beautiful little baseball stories that reminds everyone how much joy the sport can bring to people, even through a small gesture.
Unfortunately, this seems to be the evil version of him.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS NEWS
The Orioles said in a statement that the fan was identified and removed from the ballpark while the club conducted a thorough investigation, which makes sense. Even if it was an accident, the team needs to figure out exactly what happened and make sure Sánchez is okay.
Blue Jays right fielder Jesús Sánchez left the game against the Orioles after a ball from the stands hit him on the ankle, but Toronto said x-rays were negative. (Nick Turchiaro/Imagn Images)
Sánchez left the game after going 1-for-2 on the field. Yohendrick Piñango replaced him in right field.
Fortunately for Sánchez and the Blue Jays, the initial injury update was encouraging: The Blue Jays later announced that Sánchez had bruising on his right wrist and that precautionary X-rays were negative.
But it’s still a pretty good reminder for fans: Even if you think a major leaguer wants to play catch with you, wait until you’re absolutely sure he’s looking.
