Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen hit a passing bird while throwing a curveball during warmups for a road game against the Oakland Athletics.
Gallen’s throw hit the bird in midflight, killing the animal.
“I don’t really know what happened, honestly,” Gallen said. “I just know that the ball changed directions really. I saw what happened. It’s kind of a freak accident. It’s unfortunate.”
During a spring training game in 2001, Diamondbacks Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson hit a bird while on the mound.
While throwing a pitch against the San Francisco Giants, a bird crossed in front of home plate and was destroyed by the baseball.
The incident with Gallen was the latest in a select few examples birds being hit by a baseballs at the ballpark.
In 1985, New York Yankees star Dave Winfield hit and killed a seagull while warming up in the middle of the fifth inning.
This season, Gallen has a 6-1 record with a 2.35 ERA and and 70 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings in nine starts.
Arizona Diamondbacks Pitcher Zac Gallen. Photo courtsey of USA Today Sports
