The nature of physical sports is complex as it demands extra effort from the body. Because of it, injuries become a part of the game. Though there is no control over them, whenever it happens, it brings pain and discomfort to the parties involved. A similar case happened during the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Angels game on Sunday. Angles third baseman, Taylor Ward, got hit in a single pitch delivered by the Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah. The situation intensified when the similar happened with the Angles Japanese star.
Pitching is a demanding job, though players have control over the line of it, sometimes they lose it. It often results in fouls and injuries. But when such an incident repeats, questions arise. Was it intentional? Given Shohei Ohtani also got hit on Manoah’s pitch; it generated mixed emotions from fans.
Taylor Ward Leaves the Field After a Scary Injury
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Head injuries are scary, and no one wants to experience that. Even the rivals will prefer to avoid seeing their competitors going through this. But because of the unpredictability of the game, no one has any control over these incidents. We frequently witness such incidents in baseball, particularly when a wild pitch strikes a player on the head.
One such occurrence took place during the fifth inning between Taylor Ward and Alex Manoah. Unfortunately, Taylor was hit on the head by a pitch, and Sportsnet shared a distressing clip that left everyone deeply concerned about the safety of baseball players.
Scary moment as Taylor Ward takes an Alek Manoah pitch up high. pic.twitter.com/4BJZ77GCgA
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 29, 2023
According to the reports, post he got hit in the head, Taylor was taken to the hospital for tests. Although the game resumed, they replaced Alek on the mound, who finished with six strikeouts to his name in 4.1 innings pitched.
Similarly, another pitch from Manoah hit Ohtani in the foot in his first AB of the day, leaving him in deep discomfort.
Alek Manoah hits Shohei Ohtani in the foot in his first AB of the day. 😳 pic.twitter.com/Fg0FCuEGfT
— theScore (@theScore) July 29, 2023
Everyone came from the scary moment, as the game ended in favor of the Jays, but fans had their concerns and frustrations.
Given Alek is already unpopular amongst the fans for his antics, fans had a lot to share after this incident.
Fans Have Mixed Feelings to Controversial Pitching From Alek Manoah
Fans understand the physical nature of the game. And when someone gets injured, they add to the positivity by ignoring the negative side of the incident. The same was the scene when Taylor and Ohtani faced an injury. Given Alek was on the mound, conflicting emotions poured in.
Fans shared their prayers with the injured, but had their negative emotions against Manoah.
Prayers for that young man.
🙏🏻— Crash Davis (@Crashdavis565) July 29, 2023
prayers out🙏🏻Florida don’t prepare for minor league🫡
— rosie (@ytRosie) July 29, 2023
Fans were furious over Manoah’s pitching.
I’m ready to go to war
— Jack (@Angels_Jackk) July 29, 2023
Manoah does not belong in MLB
— Canuck64 (@IAMCANUCK64) July 30, 2023
Manoah absolutely stinks
— Ross Di Nicola (@dinicola17) July 29, 2023
Some fans even said it was all unintentional from Manoah.
You could tell that pitch just got away from Manoah. He was literally in as much emotional pain as the batter was in physical pain. Definitely not intentional.
— Kevin Walker (@KevinWa64676843) July 30, 2023
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As much as I dislike manoah it’s clear it wasn’t intentional. I honestly feel bad for him
— Akiva Rotenberg (@AkivaR17) July 29, 2023
Fans have mixed emotions over the entire incident, given that Manoah has been involved in such incidents before.
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Do you agree with the claim that he does it intentionally? Or was it another case of lack of control? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Watch this story – Viral Video Shows Shohei Ohtani’s Possibly Season-Ending Injury After Game-Winning Injury