The job of referee is sometimes full of danger. Junior Valentine, umpire in MLB (North American Baseball Championship), learned it the hard way. This Wednesday, September 15, he was a judge during the meeting between the New York Mets and the Saint-Louis Cardinals (6-7).
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After a bat from a Mets player, Edmundo Sosa grabs the ball with his glove. He then turns to send it to a teammate present on a base. Except that the ball, instead of reaching its destination, hits the face of referee Junior Valentine. The latter, who had his eyes riveted on the batter, does not see the ball coming and is completely surprised by the shock.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen this before. Edmundo Sosa threw wildly and hit umpire Junior Valentine square in the face ?? #STLFLY #LGM pic.twitter.com/HDcb6c9BkO
— Tyler Gallo (@TylerAGallo) September 13, 2021
Valentine then falls to the ground, before raising her head, her cheek bleeding. Stunned, he was treated by a medical team returned to the field. In the end, more fear than harm, since he will resume his post to stay until the end of the match.
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