Two teams on completely different paths met for a season decider. The Detroit Tigers entered the night clinging to a one-game division lead after blowing the 15.5-game cushion by losing nine of their last ten games, and the Cleveland Guardians, who cut that 15.5-game lead by winning nine of their last ten games. The stage was set for an iconic match-up, but no one could have predicted the horrifying moment that was going to silence an entire stadium.
The incident happened in the bottom of the sixth when Cleveland’s designated hitter, All-Star David Fry, squared up to bunt against Tigers ace Tarik Skubal‘s 99.1 mph fastball with runners on base. The pitch rode high and inside, striking Fry directly in the face. Fry collapsed to the ground instantly, grabbing his face.
A visibly shaken Skubal immediately threw off his glove and cap and put both hands on his head. Cleveland’s manager, Stephen Vogt, and trainers Jeff Desjardins and Chad Wolfe, and team doctor Kim Stearns rushed to the infield.
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After some time, Fry was helped to his feet and driven off the field on a cart. With the stadium cheering, he waved off at the camera, holding a towel on his face. Following the terrifying scene, there was no immediate official word on David Fry’s condition. But he was transported to Lutheran Medical Center, and then to the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus for additional testing and observation. Reportedly, David will have to stay there overnight. But when the play finally resumed, the emotional toll on Tarik Skubal was obvious.
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Skubal’s very next pitch to George Valera, who had replaced Fry, was a wild one. It allowed a run to score, tying the game at 2-2. Shortly after the wild pitch, Skubal was called for a balk. And the Guardians managed to score three runs to take the lead. They did all this without hitting a single ball out of the infield.
The Guardians held on to the lead and won the game 5-2. And with this victory, they are now tied with the Tigers for first place in the AL Central. But what about the injury?
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Beyond David Fry: One of the most dangerous injuries in all of sports
Getting hit in the face by a nearly 100-mph baseball can cause devastating damage. And the possible outcomes include serious facial fractures, concussions, and permanent dental or eye injuries. Baseball has tragic examples, like Tony Conigliaro, whose promising career was derailed by a similar incident in 1967. In fact, more recently, Giancarlo Stanton suffered multiple facial fractures from an 88-mph fastball in 2014.
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For Skubal, there is no history of hitting batters. So, his devastated reaction showed his deep concern for Fry. But for David Fry, this injury is another brutal setback in a season that he started on the 60-day injured list, recovering from right UCL revision surgery.
Unfortunately, such frightening moments have not been uncommon, as several other players have been hit in the head or face by pitches this season.
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Washington’s Paul DeJong and the Dodgers’ Max Muncy were both hit in the face by fastballs and had to leave games. Angels utility man Chris Taylor was also struck in the head by a 96-mph pitch.
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These incidents serve as a constant and painful reminder of the risks these athletes face during the season.