Baseball Player Takes Direct Hit To The Nuts Trying To Steal 2nd Base
Detroit Tigers outfielder Akil Baddoo tried to steal second base during the top of the second inning Monday in Cleveland against the Guardians. It didn’t end well.
Baddoo had a big rookie season in 2021, blasting 13 home runs and driving in 55 runs, to go along with 18 stolen bases. In 2022 he faltered and was sent down to the minors. However, he was called back up to the big league team this April due to injury. Baddoo is now hoping to stay in the majors for good.
Bad timing.
Baddoo is known for his power bat, aggressive baserunning, and ability to steal bases. Monday afternoon he was looking to do just that. Akil took off for second base, looking for his fourth stolen base of the young season. Stealing a base is as much about timing the pitcher’s delivery as it is about speed. Let’s just say the timing was not on Akil’s side on Monday’s steal attempt.
A less than perfect throw.
Cleveland catcher Mike Zunino has thrown out his share of runners over his 10 year playing career, However, his throw Monday to gun down Baddoo, was as they say, jusssst a bit outside. Zunino’s throw sailed a bit to the first base side of the second base bag just as Baddoo was sliding. Ball met balls at just the right time, before Guardian’s shortstop Andres Gimenez could catch it. It appeared in real time as a great catch and tag by Gimenez. Meanwhile, it was actually the baseball bounding off of Baddoo’s crotch, directly into Gimenez’s glove. The shortstop then applied the tag for the out. Talk about adding insult to injury! After writhing around in pain, our boy Akil hobbled back to the dugout for some good old ribbing from his teammates, and a bag of ice.
Without question, it is a play that may never be seen again, and that would suit Akil Baddo just fine, thank you.
