Cameraman at Yankee Stadium injured by wild pitch by Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson
A cameraman was injured Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium and taken to the hospital after being hit in the head by a wild pitch from Baltimore Orioles rookie shortstop Gunnar Henderson.
Right next to the New York Yankees dugout on the first base side, YES Network’s Pete Stendel was hit by a rushing throw from Henderson, who shot high to first base as he attempted to complete a double play in the fifth collection.
After the match, YES said Stendel was conscious and undergoing tests at the hospital. As of Wednesday night, no further updates were expected from the network.
“Anytime a ball goes over the first baseman or even a batter’s foul ball, you don’t want it to go to a fan. It just happened to be in the wrong place and I hope he’s okay.” Henderson said after his team’s 6-3 win. “My prayers go out to him. I’m just thankful for the guys who ran to help him.”
Feel better, Piet Stendel! 🙏
The game was delayed about 17 minutes as the Yankees’ athletic training staff and medical personnel gave Stendel a good on-camera care. Baltimore players came off the field and waited in their dugouts as Yankees and Orioles, including Henderson, watched with obvious concern in a hushed ballpark.
“That was scary. I think I speak for all of us when I say our thoughts are with him. I hope he’s okay and he feels better and we see him back here soon,” said Yankees outfielder Jack Bauers. “He reacted pretty badly when he got hit, so it was scary to watch.”
Stendel was strapped onto a stretcher and carted off the field, raising two fingers and wagging to loud applause from the 36,022 spectators as he was wheeled down the caution lane behind home plate.
“It was good to see him clearly coherent and clearly raise his hand,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone. “It was very scary… I just hope he’s okay.”
‘Hard to watch’
Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde also said it was a frightening scene that was “terrible” to be a part of.
“He gave the peace sign when he came off the field, but that was hard to watch and hopefully he’s okay,” said Hyde.
After the game, Henderson was asked if he was shaken up.
“I’m doing pretty well. Yeah, it sucks that happened to him, but it’s just trying to play the game hard. Sometimes that happens,” he said.
