Radio play-by-play announcer John Sterling was hit on the forehead with a foul ball during New York Yankees’ game against the Boston Red Sox. But the veteran commentator barely missed a beat while calling New York’s 3-1 victory.
With two outs in the ninth inning, Red Sox DH Justin Turner had worked the count full count when he hit a foul directly behind home plate.
In mid-call, Sterling, who was in the booth with broadcast partner Suzyn Waldman, called out “Ow! Ow! Ow!” after the ball was heard hitting him.
“It really hit me,” Sterling said. “I didn’t know it was coming back that far.”
After a short pause, Sterling returned to calling the game with the words, “So once again it will be a 3-2.”
After hitting another foul ball − not in Sterling’s direction − Turner grounded out to end the game. The Athletic reported that the ball hit Sterling above his left eyebrow and drew “a little bit of blood,” which was treated with a Band-Aid.
“I’m not going on the IL,” Sterling said.
Meanwhile, Boston right-hander Tanner Houck sustained a facial fracture after being struck just under his right eye by a line drive from the Yankees’ Kyle Higashioka on Friday night.
The Red Sox said that Houck received stitches at Fenway Park and was taken to Mass General Hospital for evaluation.
Houck rested at home in stable condition and is slated for follow-up appointments next week to determine further treatment.
Houck went down to his knees after being struck in the fifth inning, and his right cheek had blood on it as the ball ricocheted toward third base for a single.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora and team trainers came to the mound and escorted Houck to the dugout. Houck walked off under his own power.
