Remembering Herb Score

From SABR member Stephanie Liscio at It’s Pronounced ‘Lajaway’ on May 7:

On May 7, 1957, Gil McDougald stepped to the plate, the second person to bat for the New York Yankees in a game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.  When Cleveland Indians pitcher Herb Score threw a pitch low to McDougald, the infielder hit a sharp liner directly back at Score.  Score, who claimed he never saw the ball until it was a foot or two from his face, was hit in the eye.  As Score crumpled to the ground, blood poured from his right eye, nose, and mouth.  It was a horrific scene for the players on the field and the fans in the stands – many reported an audible crack as the ball collided with Score’s face.  McDougald, extremely shaken by the incident, even claimed he’d quit baseball if Score lost his sight.  Score never lost consciousness, but suffered from hemorrhaging in his eye, a swollen retina, and a broken nose.  He spent nearly three weeks in the hospital and received more than 10,000 letters of good will from concerned fans.  Even though Score eventually recovered from his injuries, the incident all but ended what appeared to be an extremely promising career.

Read the full article here: http://itspronouncedlajaway.com/?p=140



Originally published: May 7, 2011. Last Updated: May 7, 2011.