I didn't get to witness the third game of the series. The information or should I say the play by play coverage was relayed to me by my mom! The White Sox were winning 4-0. Carlos Quentin, the White Sox left fielder, had hit a homerun at his first at bat knocking in two runs in the second inning. At his next at bat Quentin was hit by a pitch in the elbow. During his third at bat Quentin was hit again by a pitch this time in the head by a different pitcher. I'm not sure if the pitchers hit Quentin intentionally but there was one intentional act that impressed my mom and me, too.
After Quentin got hit on the head, the Detroit Tigers catcher immediately rose to his feet and put his hand on Quentin's back and asked him if he was okay. What? Usually being hit by a pitch twice in one game results in an all out brawl with both benches cleared and everyone on the field ready to fist for justice. But with one intentional gesture, one that we hope most parent's teach their kids to do, calmed not only a potentially ugly scene but demonstrated a caring gesture from one human being to another.
I tried to find a photo of this "highlight" but to no avail. It would be great if kind gestures such as this were the norm and that's why there were no photos available. Unfortunately, when I put in the key words "hit by a pitch" photos of fights or teammates holding other teammates back were the norm.
It's my hope that stories like this become the "highlights" that we relay and wired4sport has the privilege and joy of intentionally reporting stories of kindness and caring in competition. I hope when you see someone get hit the next time in sport, you will hit right back...with an intentionally kind response!
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