BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JUNE 11: Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles hits a three run home run in the seventh inning during a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 11, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Pete Stendel, a YES Network cameraman, had to be carted off after suffering an orbital fracture due to an errant throw that hit his head, the network announced last week. The game was delayed for about 20 minutes, as Stendel was hospitalized and was “conscious undergoing tests” before he was cleared to be sent home to rest.
In their 6-3 win, Orioles rookie shortstop Gunnar Henderson attempted to throw a ball to first base to get the Yankees’ Anthony Volpe out in the fifth inning, but the ball flew over first baseman Ryan O’Hearn’s head and sailed to hit Stendel. Medical personnel then attended to the cameraman, as the crowd chanted “MVP” while he was carted off the field, giving a peace sign to the crowd as he received a standing ovation at Yankee Stadium.
“Definitely praying for him. It was good to see him obviously coherent and obviously raising his hand going off,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said after the game.
“But I saw it pretty well right away, and it was very scary. I didn’t see how he fell back, but I knew what could’ve been possible falling back, on top of the impact from the velocity of the ball hitting him … Obviously, a difficult scene there, and just hoped he was OK.”
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
“Every time that a ball goes over the first baseman or even a foul ball from the hitter, you don’t want to see it going towards a fan. It just happened to be in the wrong spot, and I hope he’s doing all right,” Henderson said after the Orioles beat the Yankees 6-3.
“My prayers go out to him. I’m just thankful for the guys that rushed over there to him to help him.”
The YES Network tweeted said this about Stendel: “Pete suffered an orbital fracture and is home resting. He and his family appreciate everyone’s support.”
Caitlin Clark has become the face of the new era in the WBNA, and now,…
On May 16, 1994, former tennis star Jennifer Capriati was arrested and charged with a…
Last week, news broke that Adam Thielen wants out of Minnesota, leaving the Vikings fanbase…
On December 3, 1998, pro wrestling star Paul Wight, who's better known as The Big…
On April 19, 2025, former NFL player Justin Blackmon was arrested and charged with public…
In May 2002, backyard fighting legend Kimbo Slice was arrested for a felony gun charge…