A YES Network photographer was rushed to the hospital after being hit by an errant pitch during Wednesday’s game between the Yankees and Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Here’s what you need to know:
- The YES Network provided an update on Twitter later Wednesday, saying that the camera operator who was injured, Pete Stendel, is “conscious and undergoing checks” at the hospital.
- During the game, Stendel was hit in the head by a throw by Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson.
- Play stopped and both teams left the field as medical staff tended to Stendel. Michael Kay, anchor on YES Network, said he was told that Stendel was talking to medical staff.
- When Stendel left the field on a stretcher on the back of a cart, he raised the peace sign to the crowd. Play eventually restarted, and the Orioles went on to defeat the Yankees 6-3.
background story
With one out in the fifth inning, Anthony Volpe collided with a coach to second baseman Adam Frazier, who threw to second base for an out. Henderson then threw high above first base, and the ball appeared to hit Stendel as he stared at his camera. Stendel went down and kicked his legs after making contact.
what are they saying
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he was “definitely praying for (Stendell).”
“It was nice to see him, articulate, coherent and put his hand away,” Boone said. “But I saw it right away. It was very scary. I didn’t see how he fell backwards, but I knew what he could have fallen backwards and over the impact from the speed of the ball that hit him. … Tough scene there and I hope he’s okay.”
I hope he’s okay,” said Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo.
“Any time a guy goes down on the field or in the stands, it’s scary,” said Rizzo.
Kai described Stendel as “a wonderful, wonderful guy.”
“We are all sending the best feelings we can attribute to him,” Kay wrote on Twitter.
(Photo: Mitchell Leaf/Getty Images)
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