Adam Jones knocks down umpire while rounding first (GIF)
By Dan Zinski
Umpires have an uncanny ability to avoid getting hit by baseballs, base runners or fielders, but occasionally there will be an unfortunate mishap. Hunter Wendelstedt was the victim of one of these rare player-umpire collisions Saturday night when he was run over at first base by the Orioles’ Adam Jones.
More from Baltimore Orioles
- Shohei Ohtani trade rumors live tracker: Every update so far
- MLB Rumors: Potential Braves reunion, Lance Lynn no-trade clause and Orioles deadline intentions
- MLB Rumors: Cardinals budging on Arenado, Orioles-Ohtani package, Yankees backup plan
- MLB Rumors: Shohei Ohtani, Angels, Dodgers, Rich Hill
- NY Mets: 4 monstrous trade packages for Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer
And…DOWN GOES HUNTER WENDELSTEDT.
How did that even happen? Watching the clip, it seems to be mostly Adam Jones’ fault. Jones is running out a routine play at first when the ball gets away. So, Jones has to suddenly shift gears from pulling up at first to taking off for second, and he doesn’t see Wendelstedt there in his normal umpire position.
It’s just one of those things. Jones said after the game (via The Baltimore Sun):
"Parts of the game, man, I don’t know. He’s all right, so that’s all that matters."
No one was hurt, Jones’ progress wasn’t impeded, the game wasn’t affected. So, basically it was a non-play. But try telling that to Hunter Wendelstedt’s tailbone. That particular body part probably doesn’t feel too good this morning. It probably isn’t fun being laughed at by a stadium full of people either, but he’s an umpire, he can take it.
Like FanSided on Facebook.
Follow Dan Zinski on Twitter
Subscribe to the Fansided Daily Newsletter. Sports news all up in your inbox.