“I really don’t know what happened, to be honest,” Gallen said. “I just know the ball really changed direction.”
OAKLAND, Calif. — Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers aspire to be like Randy Johnson.
Zach Gallen inadvertently came close to emulating a Hall of Famer.
During on-field warmups before Arizona’s game against Oakland on Wednesday, Galen threw a curve ball which hit the bird in mid-flight, killing the animal.
“I really don’t know what happened, to be honest,” Gallen said. “I just know the ball really changed direction. I saw what happened. This is some freak accident. It’s a shame.”
The throw was captured by the Diamondbacks broadcaster Bally Sports Arizona.
Johnson infamously killed the bird during a spring training game in 2001. During a pitch against the San Francisco Giants, the bird crossed home plate and was destroyed by a baseball.
Galen was only 5 years old when it happened.
“I don’t remember that as a kid,” he said. “But I’ve seen the clip many times.”
The Gallen incident came one day before the one-year anniversary of Johnson’s 2004 game for Arizona against the Atlanta Braves.
https://www.10tv.com/article/news/nation-world/diamondbacks-pitcher-accidentally-kills-bird-with-pitch/507-44900d36-e5b6-45b6-a4ed-947eb29d296d
