Baltimore Orioles catcher James McCann is one tough dude.
The backstop caught the entire first game of a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday after he was hit in the face by a 95-mph fastball from Yariel Rodríguez in the first inning.
James McCann was hit in the face by a 95 mph pitch and stayed in the game pic.twitter.com/XCE2WdhsrU
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 29, 2024
A bloodied McCann fell to the ground and was looked at by trainers before walking toward first base. He went to the dugout to swap out jerseys and remained in the game to catch the full nine innings of Baltimore's 11-5 victory over Toronto.
His teammates couldn't believe he stayed in the game.
Under normal circumstances, he may come out of this game. But the 1st inning of the 1st game of a double header, I think he made that decision to avoid having Adley catch 17 innings today. That’s a leader. https://t.co/NyE6hCT64H
— Tyler Wells (@TylerW13) July 29, 2024
McCann likely has a broken nose and will undergo a CT scan, manager Brandon Hyde said after the game, according to MLB.com's Jake Rill.
The catcher said he also caught the remainder of the game with his left eye nearly shut.
#Orioles catcher James McCann said it’s never fun to see anybody get hit in the head/face.
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) July 29, 2024
“To have it happen to you, it stinks. … I take a lot of pride in being tough.” pic.twitter.com/iFn4www3FT
"What a leader James McCann is," pitcher Zach Eflin said after making his first start with the Orioles following a trade from the Tampa Bay Rays last week, according to The Baltimore Sun's Matt Weyrich.
"I don't think I've ever seen anything like that on a baseball field. Just became his probably No. 1 fan."
