NEW YORK – A cameraman was injured and taken to hospital at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night after being hit in the head by a wild throw by Baltimore Orioles rookie shortstop Gunnar Henderson.
YES Network’s Pete Stendel, positioned right next to the New York Yankees dugout on the side of first base, was hit by a hasty throw from Henderson, who fired high into first base as he attempted a double in the fifth inning play to complete.
After the game, YES said Stendel was conscious and being examined at the hospital. No further updates were expected from the network on Wednesday evening.
“Any time a ball goes over first baseman or even a batter foul ball happens, you don’t want it going towards a fan. “It was just in the wrong place and I hope he’s fine,” said Henderson after his team’s 6-3 win. “My prayers go out to him. I’m just thankful for the guys who rushed over to help him.”
The game was delayed about 17 minutes because the Yankees’ athletic training staff and medical staff took good care of Stendel on camera. The Baltimore players left the field and waited in their dugouts while the Yankees and Orioles, including Henderson, looked on in a silent ballpark with apparent concern.
“That was terrifying. I think I speak for all of us when I say that our thoughts are with him. I hope he’s fine and feeling better and we’ll see him back here soon,” said the Yankees outfielder Jake Bauers, “He reacted pretty badly when he got hit, so it was scary to see.”
Stendel was strapped onto a gurney and carried off the field, raising two fingers and waving to loud applause from the 36,022 crowd as he was propelled over the warning lane behind home plate.
“It was nice to see that he was obviously coherent and obviously put his hand up,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “It was very scary. … I just hope he’s okay.”
Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde also said it was a scary scene that was “terrible” to be a part of.
“He gave the peace sign as he left the field but that was hard to watch and hopefully he’s okay,” Hyde said.
Orioles starter Dean Kremer received several warm-up exercises before play resumed. Henderson was accused of an error that allowed Anthony Volpe to reach second base. He scored on Kyle Higashioka’s two-out single and gave New York a 2-0 lead.
After the game, Henderson was asked if he was upset.
“I am feeling pretty good. Yes, it sucks that this happened to him, but it’s all about playing the game hard. Sometimes that happens,” he said.
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