Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton Hit in the Face by Pitch

There was a frightening reminder at the Miami Marlins—Milwaukee Brewers game in Milwaukee on September 11th of how baseball can be a dangerous game. Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton, the National League leader in both home runs and RBIs and a serious candidate for Most Valuable Player, was hit by a pitch on the left side of his face in the fifth inning. Stanton went down, and stayed down, blood pouring from a gash on his face. Trainers from both teams rushed to the scene, as did the Brewer’s team physician. Stanton was eventually taken from the field by ambulance to a Milwaukee hospital. There was so much blood in the batter’s box that the grounds crew came in to clean it up before play could be resumed.

Brewers’ pitcher Mike Fiers, who threw the 88 miles per hour fastball, was visibly upset. Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke made a poor decision to allow the distraught Fiers to remain in the game. Strangely, the pitch to Stanton was ruled a strike, and Reed Johnson was brought in to pinch hit. Fier’s first pitch to Johnson hit him in the hands. Both benches and bullpens emptied, there was pushing and a lot of yelling, though punches were not thrown. Marlins manager Mike Redmond and third baseman Casey McGehee were ejected, and both benches were warned that retaliation would lead to automatic ejections. The pitch to Johnson was also ruled a swinging strike, the third strike and third out in just about the strangest end to an inning you’ll see.

Later in the game, Milwaukee’s Carlos Gomez was hit by a pitch from reliever Anthony DeSclafnni, resulting in the pitcher’s immediate ejection. It didn’t appear to be blatantly intentional, but the umpires were in no mood to debate the issue.

The Marlins players and manager were understandably upset and angry with Fiers, and the pitcher was quick to apologize to Stanton via Twitter and in post game interviews with the media. Fiers does not have a reputation as a head hunter; in 205 2/3 innings pitched in the majors, he has hit batters with pitches just twice. Here’s video of the incident:

And here’s reaction to it:

Stanton had a gash on his face requiring stiches; he also has multiple fractures of bones in his face (though it was reported that it was believed surgery would not be necessary), plus he’ll need dental work on three teeth. Careers have been ended by injuries like this, but that’s not always the case. Back in spring training, Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman took line drive to the head, suffering a skull fracture. He returned to action in May, and has been as good as ever. Incidents like this can also effect a pitcher. Back in 2007, the Brewers had a fair to middling reliever named Matt Wise, who hit Cincinnati’s Pedro Lopez in the face with a fastball. Lopez suffered a broken cheekbone. Fearing he would hit and injure another batter, Wise couldn’t pitch effectively or get anyone out after that. He was released by Milwaukee at the end of the season, and after eight relief appearances with the New York Mets in 2008, Wise’s big league career was over.

Looking ahead, mark your calendar August 17th, 2015. That’s the next time the Brewers and Marlins play each other. Meanwhile, here’s hoping for a full recovery for Giancarlo Stanton.