Hunter Bigge of the Tampa Bay Rays Injured by 105 MPH Foul Ball
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Hunter Bigge is currently recuperating in a Florida hospital after a foul ball struck him in the face during his team’s 4-1 defeat against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, June 19.
At 27 years old, Bigge collapsed but remained conscious and was able to communicate with first responders, as reported by manager Kevin Cash.
“You certainly feel for Hunter and his wife. I can’t imagine the distress they are facing,” Cash, 47, expressed after the game. “It’s a frightening situation for everyone, especially for them.”
The alarming incident transpired in the top of the seventh inning when Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman struck a 105 mph foul ball towards the Rays’ dugout. While the moment wasn’t captured live on the game broadcast, the camera captured Rutschman, 27, immediately covering his mouth in shock, while Connor Seabold, who was pitching for the Rays, fell to his knees.
Bigge managed to give a thumbs-up while being wheeled off on a stretcher, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. The game resumed after an eight-minute interruption.
“Being out in the outfield, I didn’t see much. But I certainly heard it—350 feet away, I heard everything,” shared Rays left fielder Jake Mangum, according to Adam Berry of MLB.com. “It was incredibly scary.”
“It’s truly frightening. It’s terrifying,” said Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino. “We sit in these dugouts every night, often feeling like sitting ducks. It’s just terrifying. Our thoughts are with the player who got hit.”
Rays starter Drew Rasmussen noted that despite the loss, Bigge’s health took precedence over the game’s outcome.
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“Honestly, tonight’s game doesn’t matter. He’s a friend, a husband, a son,” Rasmussen commented. “There are so many things that outweigh the game of baseball. We hope he’s alright. Initial updates seem to be positive, but our thoughts are with him.”
Bigge’s injury occurred just two weeks after Seattle Mariners pitcher George Kirby narrowly evaded serious harm when a 102 mph liner hit him in the face in a game against the Orioles.
Kirby, 27, explained that he was able to raise his hand quickly enough to mitigate the impact, although it still resulted in bleeding from his mouth. “I didn’t even see it coming; I just put my hand up,” Kirby said. “I’m grateful it missed any critical areas on my face.”
