Benches clear after José Fernández hits his first career homer, a breakdown

Jul 23, 2020 841.2K views 2:43

What Happened

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Miami Marlins rookie pitcher José Fernández steps to the plate against Atlanta Braves pitcher Evan Gattis. Fernández crushes Gattis' pitch deep into the stands, hitting a fan directly in the groin area. The fan doubles over in pain as Gattis watches Fernández's home run trot. Fernández, clearly excited about his first career home run, watches the ball sail over the wall. Braves infielder Chris Johnson takes exception to Fernández's celebration and begins yelling at him. Marlins catcher Brian McCann intervenes, trying to calm the situation. Fernández explains to McCann that he was just enjoying his first career homer and McCann tells him he understands, saying "you just did the same thing." As Fernández rounds the bases, the benches begin to clear, with Johnson aggressively confronting the young Marlins star. Fernández tries to diffuse the situation with a smile, but Johnson continues to yell and posture. The umpires and coaches work to separate the two players and restore order on the field. Once the dust settles, Fernández tips his cap to the crowd, acknowledging his milestone home run. Braves manager Fredi González and Marlins manager Mike Redmond both make brief comments, with González saying "that's not how you play the game" and Redmond defending his young pitcher, saying "he's excited, he's a kid, he's having fun." Despite the heated exchange, Fernández's first career home run is a significant moment in his promising rookie season. The 21-year-old right-hander is enjoying a breakout year and is a leading candidate for the National League Rookie of the Year award. This incident, while tense, showcases Fernández's passion for the game and the rivalries that can develop between young stars and veteran players. As the season winds down, the baseball world looks forward to seeing what else Fernández has in store.

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rookie of the year

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