Wednesday night marked a moment of excitement and peculiar circumstances for Arizona Diamondbacks’ rookie pitcher, Slade Cecconi. Making his long-awaited debut after being drafted in the 2020 MLB Draft, Cecconi’s first strikeout had an unexpected twist that would forever be etched in his memory.
As the play unfolded, a seemingly routine pitch took an unforeseen turn. Initially ruled as a hit-by-pitch, the Diamondbacks challenged the decision. Upon further review, video evidence showed an unusual trajectory. The ball was found to have made contact with the knob of LaMonte Wade Jr’s bat before ricocheting into the catcher, Jose Hererra’s, sensitive area. Yes, we’re talking about a ball-knob-nuts scenario.
Amidst the scenes of discomfort that followed, catcher Jose Hererra remarkably kept his cool. Despite being temporarily doubled over by the unexpected impact, he maintained his grip on the ball, displaying sheer determination and a touch of humor. Despite the circumstances, Hererra managed to hold the ball between his iron thighs, ensuring a momentous first strikeout for rookie Slade Cecconi.
Reflecting on the event, Hererra, with a laugh, shared his thoughts on the incident. “It wasn’t supposed to be like that for his first strikeout,” he remarked. With a touch of levity, he added, “I tried to hold it with my pants as long as I could. It was the first time in my career that something like that happened and I kept holding the ball. It was pretty special.”
Among the many memorable aspects of this unique incident, Hererra’s quote, “I tried to hold it with my pants as long as I could,” stands out as a gem in sporting history. Its combination of humor, resilience, and dedication to the game showcases the unwavering spirit of athletes in the face of unexpected circumstances.
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