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Zac Gallen Strikes Bird With Warmup Pitch, Echoes Randy Johnson

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 28: Starting pitcher Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks throws prior to the Cactus League spring training baseball game against the Colorado Rockies on February 28, 2021 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen struck a bird with a warmup pitch before the team’s game against the Oakland Athletics Wednesday. Gallen was in the outfield when the bird flew into the path of a curveball, which reportedly killed the animal.

“I don’t really know what happened, honestly,” Gallen said. “I just know that the ball changed directions really. I saw what happened. It’s kind of a freak accident. It’s unfortunate.”

Many publications have compared Gallen’s incident to one that occurred in 2001 involving Randy Johnson. The Diamondbacks legend is notorious for striking a dove during a spring training game, seemingly vaporizing the animal on camera with a fastball. Johnson was similarly solemn about the accident.

“I didn’t think it was all that funny,” Johnson said at the time.

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Though Gallen has drawn many comparisons to Johnson because of their shared roles as Diamondbacks pitchers, this is far from the first time birds have been caught in the crossfires of play. Yankees Dave Winfield killed a seagull with a warmup throw in 1983 and was charged by Ontario police with animal cruelty. The charge was later dropped.

Gallen didn’t end up pitching in the game, which Arizona won 5-3 to sweep the Oakland. The Athletics. who have struggled with an opossum in one of their announcers’ booths this season, have also struggled mightily on the field. The team has begun the season with a 10-35 record and is on track to have the worst season in franchise history.

The Diamondbacks have exceeded expectations, meanwhile, compiling a 25-19 record. They are just three games behind the Dodgers in the NL West. Beyond his unfortunate incident in Oakland, Gallen has been excellent on the mound for Arizona, earning a 6-1 record, 2.35 ERA and 70 strikeouts in nine starts.

The Diamondbacks will next travel to Pittsburgh to face the Pirates, who have gone somewhat cold after a hot start to the season. Gallen is scheduled to start and will look to avoid local wildlife if possible.