March 9th, 2020 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Let’s face it, it pretty much goes without saying that there are going to be a number of Houston Astros batter hit by pitches during the upcoming 2020 regular season, this in spite of the fact that there will be harsh warnings, ejections, fines and even suspensions against those not skilled in the art of making such plunkings appear accidental.
However, those unintentional/intentional plunkings will not be to the head or face area, this you can take to the bank. Instead, they will be to the side, back or perhaps even the thigh. In other words, they will be to areas that will definitely leave a mark (as they say) but will not cause serious injury; this, too, you can take to the bank.
During Sunday’s Spring Training game between the Dodgers and Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium, 25-year-old former Dodgers farmhand and now extremely popular Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun was hit by a 95-mph fastball thrown by Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias (who was once a teammate of Calhoun) … in the face; more specifically, on the right side of his jaw. It was in no way intentional and in every way absolutely horrifying, regardless of who your most hated team is and regardless of who it is.
(Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)
The left-handed-hitting Calhoun immediately dropped to the ground in excruciating pain, as a deafening silence fell over the entire stadium. In fact, popular SportsNet LA broadcasters Joe Davis and Orel Hershiser appropriately and respectfully remained completely silent for more than a minute as Calhoun was being attended to by trainers and medical personnel. Blood could occasionally be seen dripping from the Vallejo, CA native’s mouth.
All the while, Urias, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Dodgers catcher Will Smith, and all four umpires watched in concern from the mound, each undoubtedly saying a silent prayer for the young outfielder. Urias was visibly distraught as Calhoun was eventually loaded onto a cart and driven off the field. Shortly thereafter, play resumed in front of the now hushed crowd.
(Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)
Calhoun was rushed to nearby St. Joseph’s Medical Center, where an MRI revealed that he had suffered a fractured jaw and he is scheduled to undergo further examinations and concussion protocols.
The point to all of this is that it gives good cause to seriously re-thinking that whole unintentional/intentional hit-by-pitch thing – even against the cheating Astros – because, of course, there is always the possibility that one of those unintentional intentionally errant pitches is so errant that it might do what Urias’ legitimately unintentional pitch did to Willie Calhoun. And as much as I/we hate the Astros, this is something I hope I/we never have to witness again, not ever.
…regardless of who it is.
Play Ball!
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Posted in 
Big time ‘get well soon, Willie’.
The AssTros put themselves in the situation they’re in, and deserve the consequences. No sympathy here. They best wear their dancing cleats in the batter’s box.
I’ve gotta differ with you. Even with the A-holes some restraint needs to be shown. There’s just too much damage that can be done with a baseball traveling 90+ MPH.
These things will happen in baseball, whether intentionally or not. It’s tough but, I’m sure, mostly by accident. Let’s hope Calhoun recovers nicely and quickly.
Hitting Astros batters does little to show the Astros how much contempt the players and fans feel towards them, they are cheaters and they continue to show no remorse so show them.
The Houston Astros players should not be allowed to wear the number 42 on Jackie Roberson Day, they lost that honor. The players that were on the Astros teams of 2017 and 2018 and are now on other teams should also be included.
I like your idea for most of the Adam Henry’s, but extend that restriction for the remainder of their careers.
Players who weren’t part of those teams should be exempted.
This was supposed to be a reply to “baseball1439”.