"Toughest SOB I've ever met" - Orioles' Tyler Wells commends James McCann for playing through pain after getting hit in the face by a pitch
Camden Yards witnessed a scary scene on Monday after Baltimore Orioles catcher James McCann was drilled in the face by a 94.6 mph fastball in the first game of their doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays.
McCann instantly went to the ground holding his face and with blood rushing from his nose. Orioles head athletic trainer Brian Abel rushed to the catcher's aid, suspecting a broken nose. McCann was quickly treated on the field and assessed for any serious injury.
But the Orioles catcher is as tough as they come as he got up to touch first base and score the fourth run with the bases loaded. He stayed in the game after receiving treatment in the dugout as well.
Orioles pitcher Tyler Wells, who has been on the sidelines after his season-ending injury in May, was left in awe of his teammate's determination after taking a scary hit to the face:
"I would go to war every single day for James McCann. But after seeing that, I am convinced that I would absolutely useless to him. That’s the toughest SOB I’ve ever met. And he just proved it right there," Wells wrote on X/Twitter.
McCann continued the game with cotton gauze shoved up both nostrils and a new jersey. He is scheduled to undergo a CT scan, along with further assessment with an ENT specialist.
James McCann takes pride in gritty night after scary hit-by-pitch
Wells added that he believes McCann decided to continue in the double-header game because the Orioles catcher did not want to expose fellow catcher Adley Rutschman, who was scheduled to catch in the following game.
"I take a lot of pride in being tough and grinding through things, and today was no different," McCann said after the game.
While McCann caught all nine innings in the Orioles' 11-5 victory in the opening game, Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said he was "thankful" for the catcher's well-being:
“I’m really, really thankful that James is OK. That’s just life stuff – he’s a father and a husband. You hate seeing that. I can’t believe he stayed in the game," Schneider said.
"I think everyone around the league probably respects him even more than they did already. I’m glad he’s OK. That was unbelievable what he did," he added.
In the second game of the day, the Blue Jays fought back with Rutschman behind the plate for the Orioles in an 8-4 win.
Baltimore continues to lead the way at the top of the AL East standings with a 63-44 record. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays prop up the bottom of the table with a 50-57 record so far this season.