Introduction to the Incident
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Veteran umpire Hunter Wendelstedt had to leave the game in Minnesota on Wednesday after he was struck in the face behind first base by a line drive foul ball.
The Incident Unfolds
Wendelstedt instantly hit the ground after he took a direct hit from the line smash off the bat of New York Mets center fielder Tyrone Taylor in the seventh inning. Both Taylor and Twins right-hander Louis Varland winced immediately after seeing where the ball hit Wendelstedt, who is in his 28th major league season as an umpire.
Medical Attention and Removal from the Game
The 53-year-old Wendelstedt was down for a minute while being tended to by Twins medical staff and was able to slowly walk off on his own, pressing a towel against the left side of his head. Second base umpire Adam Hamari moved to first on the three-man crew for the remainder of the game.
First base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt, center, walks off the field with medical staff after being hit by a foul ball during the seventh inning of a baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and New York Mets, Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Outcome of the Game
The Twins went on to a 4-3 victory over the Mets off a Ty France single in the 10th inning. With the speedy Byron Buxton conveniently on second as the automatic runner, France smacked a 1-1 pitch from Reed Garrett (0-1) with none out that bounced in center field with no chance for Tyrone Taylor to get his glove down.
Game Highlights
Pete Alonso and Jesse Winker hit RBI doubles to end a 12-inning scoreless streak for the Mets (11-7) in the eighth against Griffin Jax, and Luisangel Acuña tied it with a two-out single. Bader saved the Twins another run or two with a diving catch of Taylor’s line drive to end the eighth. Bader, who played for the Mets last year, threw out Winker at the plate in the second. The Mets got 3 1/3 solid innings from Justin Hagenman in his major league debut after his call-up from Triple-A Syracuse in a bullpen game after Griffin Canning was scratched for illness.
Conclusion
The incident involving Hunter Wendelstedt serves as a reminder of the risks and dangers that umpires face in professional baseball. Despite the injury, the game continued, and the Twins secured a thrilling victory. The safety and well-being of umpires and players alike remain a top priority in the sport.
FAQs
- Q: Who was the umpire that got hit by a foul ball?
A: Hunter Wendelstedt, a veteran umpire in his 28th major league season. - Q: What was the outcome of the game?
A: The Minnesota Twins won 4-3 against the New York Mets in the 10th inning. - Q: Who hit the foul ball that injured the umpire?
A: Tyrone Taylor, the center fielder for the New York Mets. - Q: Was the umpire able to walk off the field on his own?
A: Yes, after receiving medical attention, Hunter Wendelstedt was able to slowly walk off the field.
